(PRIMASPORT) MANDALIKA – The MotoGP world championship battle is as close as ever after Motegi, the round where Marc Márquez closed to within two points of championship leader Jorge Martin. But this weekend features a return to the track that could be quite unsettling for the Ducati rider: the Indonesian Grand Prix is taking place, the same one that in 2025 caused him and Marco Bezzecchi to crash and sustain injuries that have severely affected both riders for much of this year. But in Mandalika, much of the attention is focused on the future: specifically, on the new qualifying format that appears to displease virtually everyone. Even if Pecco Bagnaia opens another wound, as obvious as it is invisible to many.
Like Formula 1, MotoGP will also have qualifying for the Sprint Race separate from that for the Sunday Grand Prix starting in 2027. The big difference, however, is that each race weekend features a double race, an aspect that has infuriated those who will be competing in it. Among the most scathing is Pedro Acosta ("Our careers will be shortened, but we riders can't do anything about it. We have no choice or say in the matter"), with Marc Márquez aligned with his future Ducati teammate. "He's absolutely right. And consider that my career is almost over already. The current schedule would be enough, but we don't decide and, in fact, we have to keep quiet. It would be interesting to understand the main objective behind this change." Bagnaia, on the other hand, is very harsh, but in agreement with his colleagues: "We discussed this change in the Safety Commission at Motegi, where there were only four of us. And it's always like this. If we had been 20, we could have changed something." Martin sits somewhere in the middle: "I agree with Marc, because things are as he says. But of course, until we're united, we'll never be able to do anything.".
The heated championship battle is almost overshadowed, especially for the manufacturers, as Aprilia and Ducati are currently incredibly evenly matched in the standings. "I haven't finished a single race at Mandalika in the last four years, but this year I'd like to get as close as possible to 37 points. Then maybe 30, 20, or even 10 will come. But I absolutely have to aim high if I want to stay in contention for the title. Also because I like this track much more than Silverstone or Assen," Marquez said. "There are several factors at play," Martin echoed. "Ducati are not inexperienced; they've certainly found a way to solve their tire problems. This circuit is truly demanding, both for the bikes and the riders, but our confidence is high, and I think a win will come in the end. If I were to remain at the top of the standings with just one win under my belt, I'd put my money on it." Bezzecchi remains the outsider and loose cannon, and despite being 49 and 47 points behind his two Spanish rivals, he's not letting his guard down: "I'm a little behind, but that means they're under more pressure. I'll do my best; I want to try to stay in contention for the championship." Perhaps forgetting that 2025 crash that caused so many problems almost exactly last year. (PRIMASPORT)
