ESPARAGARO PRAISES MARTIN’S TITLE CHALLENGE AGAINST MARQUEZ

Aleix Espargaro has praised Jorge Martin and Aprilia as they take the MotoGP title fight to Marc Marquez, with the championship battle finely poised ahead of the Indonesian Grand Prix. Martin leads Marquez by just two points, 333 to 331, as the series begins a six-round run-in. The Mandalika race is round 17 of 22.

Espargaro, now an HRC test rider, is returning to race action at Mandalika as a stand-in for Joan Mir. The former Aprilia rider said the contest was compelling, particularly given Marquez’s record in title duels. Speaking to AS, he also said it was special to see two Spaniards contesting the championship so late in the season.

“I think it’s fantastic. I believe all of us Spaniards should appreciate the fact that the MotoGP world championship title is going down to almost the wire with two Spanish riders in contention,” Espargaro said. “It’s something truly unique and really cool. Marc has never lost a championship head-to-head with another rider, and for it to be another Spaniard who’s within striking distance is incredible. So, we’ll see how it goes.”

Espargaro was a key figure in Aprilia’s rise before retiring from full-time racing at the end of 2024. He said it was remarkable to see the manufacturer progress from the back of the field to challenging the rider he described as the sport’s best.

“To see the brand that, when I started working with them in the championship, we were the last, now fighting for the title against the best rider in history, is something amazing,” he said. “Hopefully, they can bring it to the last race, and I will see from behind now!” Asked to choose between the title contenders, Espargaro made no secret of his allegiance: “Jorge is one of my best friends, and Aprilia is a super important brand, from the bottom of my heart, so I think it’s easy to know my answer!”

Martin said his confidence comes from the way he feels on the bike, rather than simply from recent results. “I feel confident not because of the results but the feeling I’m getting with the bike, I feel faster and faster,” he said. He added that the team had found answers to its problems and made progress, but cautioned that taking points remains crucial because “you never know what can happen in MotoGP”.

The Mandalika weekend also presents a challenge for Martin, who missed last year’s race through injury. Aprilia team-mate Marco Bezzecchi had been particularly strong there in 2025, before a mistake led to a collision with Marquez in the grand prix. The crash fractured Marquez’s shoulder and ended his race; he returns to a circuit where he has yet to finish a Grand Prix in four visits. Ducati could also face a tyre challenge, with Michelin bringing heat-resistant rear tyres that have been difficult for the manufacturer.

“Marco was super strong [for Aprilia] last season, he was making the difference, but for sure the bike was working,” Martin said. “You never know each year. It’ll be tough fighting with Marc and Marco this weekend, but I’ll try my best.” Bezzecchi is third in the standings, 49 points behind Martin, while KTM’s Pedro Acosta has described the championship as a two-rider contest between Martin and Marquez.