The championship battle between Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez in MotoGP continues with a two-point gap, and a noteworthy statement was made by Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi. The Italian manager expressed confidence that the team orders will be implemented to support Martin in the latter part of the season for Aprilia.
Despite Aprilia securing the top four positions in the Indonesian Grand Prix, the maintenance of the two-point gap between Marc Marquez and the championship leader Jorge Martin was welcomed by the Ducati camp. Marquez, who won the Sprint race at Mandalika, had moved into the championship lead after a short run, but he finished in fourth place on Sunday, handing the lead to Martin, who finished third.
Aprilia Will Implement Team Orders
Davide Tardozzi stated to Sky Italia that he believes Aprilia will ask for assistance from their rider, Jorge Martin, during the critical part of the season.
There is no doubt that Aprilia will implement either early or late team orders. In my opinion, this is the right and logical decision. I would do the same.
Aprilia management had previously stated that team orders would not be implemented as long as the riders' mathematical chance for the championship remained. However, the standings are finalized five races before the end of the season. With Martin's teammate Marco Bezzecchi lagging by 46 points behind the leader, and Trackhouse riders Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez trailing by 96 and 119 points respectively, four Aprilia riders are mathematically in contention for the championship. With a total of 185 points available to be won in the remaining races, four Aprilia riders are mathematically in the championship fight.
Aprilia's Performance and the Championship Battle
Davide Tardozzi did not hide the difficulty Ducati faced by evaluating the results in Indonesia.
We are two points behind Martin, and we are separated by two points again. This is a success for us.
The Italian manager emphasized that the real concern is Aprilia's performance at Mandalika.
The real issue is proving that Aprilia is clearly superior here.
Tardozzi stated that the upcoming Australian Grand Prix will be important for the championship battle.
If we can defend ourselves in Australia, I think the world championship is still controllable.
Ducati's Strategic Difficulties
As much as Aprilia's strategy is questionable, so is how Ducati will move. Following Mandalika, Francesco Bagnaia, Fermin Aldeguer, and Franco Morbidelli were mathematically out of the championship race. Therefore, Ducati might ask Marquez to help them under favorable race conditions. However, Ducati's current performance chart makes such a strategy difficult. Bagnaia has not been able to score points since the beginning of the season, while Morbidelli is struggling in his first 10 races. Aldeguer suffered a right-hand injury in Indonesia. On the Aprilia side, the competitiveness of all four riders could provide a significant advantage for Martin if team orders are implemented. Furthermore, the fact that Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi will continue with Aprilia in 2027, while Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura will switch to Yamaha, complicates the internal balance. With only five races remaining in MotoGP, the two-point gap between Martin and Marquez has become one of the most important strategic issues in the championship fight.
Statements
Davide Tardozzi:
I am confident that Aprilia will implement team orders.
Davide Tardozzi:
Aprilia was clearly superior to us.
Figures
- Jorge Martin is in 1st place with 355 points in the 2026 MotoGP season (Aprilia Racing Team).
- Archive: [Message from Jorge Martin to Marc Marquez about the championship: "I don't think I will struggle anymore!"](October 12, 2026)
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Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
