TARDOZZI QUESTIONS MARQUEZ’S EDGE AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Marc Marquez heads to Phillip Island just two points behind championship leader Jorge Martin, after a mixed Indonesian Grand Prix kept the title fight close. Marquez won Saturday’s Sprint, limiting Martin’s chance to extend his advantage, then finished sixth on Sunday to score his first Grand Prix points at Mandalika. Martin took third as Aprilia riders claimed the top four places.

The Australian round could bring another contest between Aprilia and Ducati, but the teams’ bosses differ on how well Marquez will fare. Aprilia chief Massimo Rivola expects the Spaniard to be the rider to beat, despite believing the circuit suits his own machine.

“I think Phillip Island suits our bike very well, but I think the strongest is supposed to be Marc,” Rivola told TNT Sports 2. “It’s anti-clockwise, so let’s see. It’s going to be very, very exciting.” He added that Marquez was “pushing hard” and said Aprilia needed to match his mentality.

Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi was less convinced that Phillip Island would favour Marquez. The eight-time world champion has won there four times in the premier class, but Tardozzi pointed to Aprilia’s recent form at the circuit: Raul Fernandez won last year, while Marco Bezzecchi was also quick.

“It’s not a Marc track,” Tardozzi said. “For sure, Marc will be fast there, but in this moment, we have a problem compared to them on the grip on the maximum angle in the fast corners.” He added that Ducati would have to see how the situation develops, while stressing that the team has “a champion on a Ducati” in Marquez.

Rivola’s confidence in Marquez comes after the Spaniard’s Sprint win helped contain Martin’s lead, even though Aprilia had the stronger Sunday showing in Indonesia. With the gap at only two points, Phillip Island offers Marquez a chance to reclaim the championship lead—and a test of whether Ducati can address the grip issue Tardozzi identified.