MARTIN AND MARQUEZ LEAD MOTEGI GRID AS TYRE CHOICE LOOMS

Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez will start first and second for the 24-lap Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, with Pedro Acosta completing the front row. Martin set a lap record on the circuit’s new asphalt to beat Marquez in qualifying, but the title fight has tightened: Marquez won Saturday’s Sprint, cutting Martin’s lead to seven points. Martin also struggled with tyre issues late in the Sprint and was subsequently dropped from second to third for exceeding track limits.

Acosta and Fabio di Giannantonio were both caught up in a first-lap crash caused by Alex Marquez, who received a double long-lap penalty for Sunday’s race. Tyres are another major uncertainty. Michelin has withdrawn the soft rear tyre and recommended the hard option, which no rider had used before Sunday. No rider quotes were included in the source.