Márquez wins in Japan to cut Martin’s MotoGP lead to two points

Marc Márquez won the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi on October 4 to move within two points of Jorge Martín in the MotoGP championship.

The Ducati rider completed a weekend double after also winning the sprint. Martín finished second for Aprilia, with teammate Marco Bezzecchi third.

Martín led from pole at the start of the 24-lap race, but Márquez stayed close and passed on the inside at Turn 9 on lap 11. He then managed the gap as Martín continued to apply pressure.

Bezzecchi had to defend the final podium position against a late charge from Enea Bastianini. The KTM rider set a sequence of fast laps near the finish but remained fourth.

MotoGP’s official report put Martín on 333 championship points and Márquez on 331 after Japan. Bezzecchi remained third in the standings, 49 points behind Martín.

The championship next heads to the Mandalika circuit in Indonesia. Márquez’s full haul in Japan reduced the gap, but Martín retained the lead.