Motegi starts five Grands Prix in six weeks with only 12 points between Martín and Márquez

The final stretch of the season begins in Japan. Jorge Martín arrives at Motegi 12 points ahead of Marc Márquez, while Marco Bezzecchi remains third, 42 points off the lead. Five Grands Prix now have to be completed in just six weeks.

The Martín–Márquez duel remains the centre of the championship, but two other riders can still have a major impact. Bezzecchi remains close enough for one big weekend to change things, while Pedro Acosta is on a strong run: five consecutive top-five finishes, three straight podiums and now a first MotoGP victory. He is still 72 points behind Martín.

Japan also carries a special significance for Ai Ogura. After taking two fourth places in Austria on his return from injury, the Japanese rider arrives in form for his home Grand Prix, one year after being forced to miss the Sunday race in front of his own fans.