Marc Marquez wins Japanese GP double to cut Martin's lead to two points

Marc Marquez won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday to complete a sprint-and-race double and reduce Jorge Martin's MotoGP championship advantage to two points. BBC Sport reported that the defending champion took maximum points at Motegi, where Martin finished second and Marco Bezzecchi completed the podium. The result leaves the title contest closely balanced with six rounds remaining.

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Martin started the grand prix from pole position and retained the lead at the start. Marquez initially followed the Aprilia rider before making the decisive move on lap 11, passing on the inside. The Ducati rider went on to secure his second victory of the weekend after also winning Saturday's sprint, turning the two races in Japan into a substantial championship gain.

Marquez said the race had been difficult while he was following Martin, but that he believed his pace would be strong enough once he moved into the lead. According to BBC Sport's account of his post-race comments, Martin tried to respond before Marquez increased his pace again. That allowed the winner to approach the final two laps with less pressure from his pursuer.

The victory took Marquez to 331 championship points. The 33-year-old is pursuing another title after already winning seven MotoGP championships, the first in 2013. Martin, who became champion in 2024, remained ahead in the standings despite finishing behind his fellow Spaniard at Motegi. His runner-up finish kept him at the top, but with only a narrow margin over the reigning champion.

Bezzecchi's third place brought his total to 284 points and kept him in the championship contest. The Italian Aprilia rider had to resist a late challenge from Tech3's Enea Bastianini to secure the final podium position. His finish gave Aprilia two riders in the top three, with Martin occupying the other place behind race winner Marquez.

Alex Marquez did not finish the race. The Gresini rider crashed after serving a double long-lap penalty arising from his involvement in a three-rider collision during Saturday's sprint. While his weekend ended without a grand prix finish, Marc Marquez left Japan having closed the gap at the front of the championship.