MARQUEZ WINS MOTEGI SPRINT AS MOREIRA MOVES UP TO SECOND

Marc Marquez struck back at Jorge Martin in the Japanese Grand Prix Sprint, winning at Motegi and taking 12 points from his title rival. Rookie Diogo Moreira was promoted to second after post-race penalties, earning his first MotoGP podium and becoming the first Brazilian to reach a premier-class podium since Alex Barros in 2007.

Martin had taken pole with a lap record on Motegi’s new asphalt, while Marquez qualified second and Pedro Acosta completed the front row. “Even on the ideal lap Martin is in front of me, so he was faster,” Marquez said, adding that Aprilia was strong over one lap but he could be more consistent over race distance. A small change to his Ducati for the Sprint made him “even faster and more comfortable.”

At the start, Marquez drew level with Martin and took the lead with a late-braking move inside at Turn 1. “As always, if it's riding by instinct, it's my strong point,” he said of the attack. The pair stayed close for about a lap and a half before Marquez began to pull away. He controlled the race on the soft rear tyre, setting the fastest lap as he built an advantage. Martin later closed in, but Marquez raised his pace again and eventually crossed the line 2.5 seconds clear after a small mistake from his rival.

Marquez said the first start gave him an advantage, though he expected Sunday’s race to be different once everyone had learned from the Sprint. “I was at the front and felt good. Job done, tomorrow we go again.” The victory was his 22nd Sprint win.

Martin’s second place became a struggle as his rear tyre deteriorated. He said the left side began to wear after seven or eight laps, and in the final two laps he could not fully open the throttle on the straight. The rear also suffered severe vibration and chatter. Martin later explained that overheating had affected the left side before spreading to the centre of the soft compound. The issue had not appeared earlier in the weekend, raising concerns for Sunday’s 24-lap Grand Prix. “We need to try something for warm-up. It seems like the soft is not an option,” he said. Michelin subsequently withdrew the soft rear tyre and recommended the hard, which had not been used before Sunday. Martin said his overheating was worse than Francesco Bagnaia’s, but was glad to finish and secure a podium: “We move forward with a podium, so I’m happy.” It was Aprilia’s first podium at Motegi.

Enea Bastianini challenged Martin on the final lap, but both riders were penalised one place for exceeding track limits. Martin had run onto the green surface at Turn 11’s exit, while Bastianini also lost a position. Moreira therefore moved up to second, Martin to third and Bastianini to fourth. Moreira initially said he did not think he had touched the green, but after reviewing the footage acknowledged the mistake and said it was disappointing to lose a position that way. He starts Sunday ninth, the leading Honda rider.

The result cut Martin’s championship lead over Marquez to seven points: Martin has 313, Marquez 306. Bezzecchi remains third on 268. Martin and Marquez start the Grand Prix first and second, with Acosta third. The 24-lap race is scheduled to start at 2pm local time.