MARQUEZ TAKES CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD INTO MANDALIKA GRAND PRIX

Marc Marquez heads into the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika with the MotoGP championship lead after a chaotic Sprint reshaped the standings. Jorge Martin had been leading the race, but tyre-pressure trouble cost the Aprilia rider the advantage, and a late scare dropped him two more places. The result allowed reigning champion Marquez to move ahead in the title fight.

Aprilia’s Sprint began badly: its front-row starters, Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi, collided at Turn 1. Ai Ogura salvaged a podium for the manufacturer, finishing second between Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio. Aprilia’s riders will seek a stronger result in Sunday’s race, where a win for Martin would put him back on top of the championship.

Marquez has yet to finish a Sunday race at Mandalika, but his Saturday pace gives him reason to approach the grand prix with confidence as he takes on the RS-GPs. The race is scheduled for 3pm local time.