MotoGP Japanese GP: Marc Marquez beats Jorge Martin in early duel to close in on points lead

Marc Marquez held off Jorge Martin in a direct battle to win the Japanese Grand Prix and close to within two points of the MotoGP championship lead. After a strong sprint victory on Saturday, the Ducati rider had to work harder at Motegi as Martin resisted pressure from pole. Marquez made the decisive move just before halfway, passing Martin on the inside at Turn 9 on lap 11, and then pulled away to take his sixth win of the 2026 season. Martin finished second, while Marco Bezzecchi completed the podium after fending off Enea Bastianini. Pedro Acosta dropped to seventh after slipping early, while Raul Fernandez won a three-way fight for fifth.