Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team won both races in Japan, taking his eighth victory of the season. Meanwhile, championship leader Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Racing had to settle for second place after starting from 11th. Marc Marquez of Gresini Racing MotoGP rounded out the podium, fending off Enea Bastianini of the Ducati Lenovo Team. Pole-sitter Pedro Acosta of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 crashed out, ending a tough weekend for the rookie.
The title fight between Bagnaia and Martin has intensified, with the two now just 10 points apart. The season is shaping up to potentially come down to a final round showdown, mirroring the pattern of last season’s championship battle. In the Japanese Grand Prix, Bagnaia grabbed the lead early on, with Martin making an impressive climb through the field to secure second place. A first lap incident took out Joan Mir and Alex Marquez, while Acosta’s race ended prematurely after a crash on Lap 4.
Marquez showed his skill by moving up from ninth to third, holding off challenges from Bastianini in a fierce battle. Bagnaia dominated the race, matching Marquez’s record for most victories in a single season. Takaaki Nakagami of LCR Honda celebrated his final home race as a full-time MotoGP rider in front of Japanese fans, finishing 13th after crashing out during the sprint race the day prior. Martin was praised as the rider of the day for his impressive performance in the face of adversity.
Despite a poor qualifying result, Martin showed resilience and determination, working his way up to fourth and eventually second place. His ability to make up positions on the opening lap and stay in the fight for points showcased his skill and determination. Martin’s podium finish helped keep his title hopes alive, giving him another weekend to defend against Bagnaia before a potential final round showdown. The race saw Bagnaia excel on the track, while other contenders faced challenges like crashes and tire degradation.
Key moments in the race included Bagnaia’s strong start off the line, Acosta’s crash that ended his weekend prematurely, and Martin’s efforts to close the gap to the leader. Despite initial pressure from Martin, Bagnaia was able to pull away and secure a comfortable victory. The Italian rider’s double wins in Japan solidified his position as a strong contender for the championship. As the season progresses, fans can expect to see more intense battles and exciting races as the title fight between Bagnaia and Martin unfolds.
