Marc Marquez Leads by 10 Points as Injured Martin Faces Fitness Test
Marc Marquez arrives at Sepang leading the 2026 MotoGP title race by 10 points, while rival Jorge Martin must pass a fitness test after breaking his wrist in Australia.
Title Fight Heads to Sepang
The 2026 MotoGP World Championship moves to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit for Round 19, the Malaysian Grand Prix. Last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix race was cancelled because of bad weather, so the standings stay as they were after the Sprint at Phillip Island.
Ducati’s Marc Marquez leads the championship by 10 points from Aprilia’s Jorge Martin. Martin’s teammate Marco Bezzecchi is third, 50 points behind Marquez. After Malaysia, only three rounds remain.
Martin Waits on Wrist Injury
Martin was leading the championship before the Phillip Island Sprint. However, he crashed while fighting Marquez for the lead and lost first place in the standings. He suffered a small fracture in his wrist.
Aprilia said Martin did not go home to Spain for treatment and will not need surgery. He must pass a medical check on Thursday before he can race this weekend.
Not Marquez’s Best Track
Marquez now has the advantage, but Sepang is not one of his favourite circuits. He has won here twice, in 2014 and 2018. When he last raced here in 2024, he finished second in the Sprint but crashed in the main race and ended up 12th.
Bezzecchi has never finished on the podium at Sepang in any class. Last year, he was 11th, more than 19 seconds behind the winner, Alex Marquez. However, Aprilia have been much stronger this season.
Riders to Watch
Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta finished first and second here last year. Acosta, who is not part of the title fight, could chase his second MotoGP win. Francesco Bagnaia, who won at Sepang in 2022 and 2024, took pole and won the Sprint here last year. Fabio Di Giannantonio finished third in the Australian Sprint, his 10th podium of the season.
Rain is expected at times during the weekend. That could help Johann Zarco, who is very fast in wet conditions. Brad Binder has scored points in 12 Sunday races in a row, and Enea Bastianini won here in 2023.
Injury News
Several riders are fighting to be fit. Raul Fernandez, who missed the Australian Grand Prix with fractured fingers, must also pass a medical check. Fermin Aldeguer is still out with a broken right hand, so Iker Lecuona will replace him again. Test rider Augusto Fernandez will stand in for the injured Toprak Razgatlioglu.
There is good news for Honda, as Joan Mir returns to action. He finished third at Sepang last year.