Overview

• Newly crowned champion Marquez says he feels "more tired than ever" after Motegi and will guard against a title hangover by avoiding unnecessary risks.
• Marquez begins light 2026 preparation at Mandalika by experimenting with set-up, targeting consistent podiums rather than all-out attacks.
• He has never won at Mandalika or Portimao, and he rejects adding extra pressure to tick off those remaining venues.
• Ducati can potentially seal the teams’ championship at Mandalika as part of a triple-crown bid, with five rounds still to run.
• Marquez leads the standings by 201 points over Alex Marquez, while Pecco Bagnaia’s Japan resurgence has cut the gap to second to 66 points.