Jorge Martin Takes Pole Position

On Saturday afternoon (Local Time Motegi), Jorge Martin raced as planned as the Aprilia factory rider. In the Q2 qualifying, the Aprilia factory rider took pole position by setting the lap time record with 1:42.371 for the RS-GP. Marc Marquez (Ducati) started from position 2. Pedro Acosta (KTM) completed the first qualifying session.

Sprint Start and Lead Battle

At the start of the race, Marc Marquez gained an advantage with better acceleration. However, Marc Marquez braked into Turn 1 and passed Aprilia, losing the lead. Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati), Acosta, and Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) were behind. Initially, Marc Marquez followed the Aprilia rider, but he gradually relinquished the advantage to Jorge Martin.

Tyre Issues and Standings

In the final stage of the race, the standings dropped to second place. Television footage showed severe vibration in the rear tire; the rear of the Aprilia was shaking on every corner. Martin's last lap came close to that of the fast-running Diogo Moreira (LCR Honda). Martin stated that the rear tire had slipped on the left side, starting from lap eight. In the last two laps, he expressed that he could not apply full throttle on the straight. Martin aimed for second place but touched the green asphalt on exit of Turn 11 on the last lap. According to the rules, the rider who exceeds the track limits on the last lap will be relegated to a lower position. Therefore, Martin dropped to third place, and Enea Bastianini (KTM) also moved out of the podium. This was the first podium for Aprilia in the Grand Prix. Martin expressed concern about the excessive tire heating for tomorrow. He stated that the problem was not tire degradation, but overheating in the middle of the tires. Pecco Bagnaia was also affected, and he considered the problem "even bigger" for himself. For the Grand Prix lasting over 24 laps, the question remains whether the soft rear tire can maintain distance on the new surface.

Results

At the end of the sprint, Jorge Martin maintains the lead with a 7-point difference over Marquez. Marquez has 306 points, and Martin has 313 points ahead. Marquez had points before the sprint. Martin was happy about this first podium. Regarding the tires, Martin expressed his concern for Sunday: "That is worrying for tomorrow," he said. The problem is not the degradation, but the overheating in the middle of the tires. Pecco Bagnaia was also affected, and he considered the problem "even bigger" for himself. For the Grand Prix lasting over 24 laps, the question remains whether the soft rear tire can maintain distance on the new surface.

Figures

• Jorge Martin is in first place with 313 points in the 2026 MotoGP season (Aprilia Racing Team).
• Archive: Japan GP Standings Martin Record Lap Pole (October 3, 2026)

Compiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz