MARQUEZ HOLDS 10-POINT TITLE LEAD AS MARTIN WITHDRAWS AT SEPANG

Marc Marquez began Saturday’s Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang with a ten-point championship advantage over Jorge Martin, whose title challenge was disrupted by a wrist fracture at Phillip Island. Martin crashed while fighting Marquez for the win, lost the championship lead and was ruled out of Sunday’s grand prix. The race’s cancellation meant he avoided losing further points.

Cleared to return on Friday and declared fit after the opening session, Martin nevertheless cut short afternoon practice to give his injured wrist more rest before Saturday. He then withdrew from the event after final practice, ending his weekend before qualifying. His team-mate Marco Bezzecchi, 50 points off the championship lead, was seen as Aprilia’s strongest prospect against Ducati, which has a formidable record at Sepang. Raul Fernandez was already out after his fractured finger troubled him in FP1.

Ducati’s recent results at the circuit underline the challenge: Pecco Bagnaia won last year’s Sprint, while Alex Marquez took the grand prix. The leading Aprilia in that race was Ai Ogura, in tenth. At this year’s pre-season test, Alex Marquez was fastest and Marc Marquez fourth, behind Fabio di Giannantonio; Bezzecchi was the only Aprilia in the final-day top six, which was otherwise all Ducati.

Marc was riding for the first time since shoulder injuries at Mandalika. Martin, meanwhile, had missed the test while recovering from collarbone surgery over the winter, after being injured at Sepang in early 2025. Saturday’s programme featured FP2, qualifying and the Sprint. Enea Bastianini led FP2, while Zarco and Bagnaia advanced from Q1 to Q2. Alex Marquez claimed pole for the Sprint.