[MotoGP] Japanese GP Begins! Ducati's Marquez and Bagnaia Vow to Win at Motegi

The MotoGP World Championship heads to the Japanese GP, held at Mobility Resort Motegi. Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia shared their enthusiasm for the battle at a circuit where they have achieved great results in the past.

Ducati has achieved a total of 9 victories at Motegi

Mobility Resort Motegi, the stage for the Japanese GP, is a circuit with special significance for Ducati. It is the place where the manufacturer clinched the Riders' Title twice: with Casey Stoner in 2007 and Marc Marquez in 2025.

Historically, Motegi is a circuit where the Desmosedici GP can demonstrate its strengths, having secured a total of 9 victories to date. Starting with Loris Capirossi's three consecutive wins from 2005, Francesco Bagnaia has shown overwhelming strength in recent years, winning back-to-back in 2024 and 2025. Currently, Ducati leads the Constructors' Championship with 432 points, and the Ducati Lenovo Team sits in 2nd place in the Team Championship with 450 points.

Mobility Resort Motegi is 4.8km long and consists of 14 corners: 8 right-handers and 6 left-handers. The Sprint race is contested over 12 laps, and the main race over 24 laps. In the 2025 event, Bagnaia set a circuit record of 1:42.911 to take pole position and won both the Sprint and the main race. Bagnaia also set the fastest lap of the race at 1:44.412, while Marquez clocked a top speed of 320.4 km/h to finish 2nd, with Honda's Joan Mir in 3rd.

Marquez aims to return to the top fight, Bagnaia targets consecutive wins

Despite struggling in the previous Austrian GP, Marquez, who finished 2nd in both the Sprint and the main race, is aiming for a full return to the top fight. "The 2025 Japanese GP is an unforgettable memory that created a special bond between me and the team. Along with the incredible affection from the Japanese fans, it gives me special strength for the weekend," he said. He further expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "Motegi is a circuit I truly enjoy, and the goal is to get a good result and show our competitiveness."

Marquez has competed in 298 Grands Prix, achieving 104 wins, 170 podiums, and 105 pole positions. He has also won 21 Sprints and has secured 9 world titles, including the 2025 MotoGP class. He is currently 2nd in the Riders' Championship with 294 points.

Meanwhile, Bagnaia, who lists Motegi as one of his favorite circuits, is further motivated by his victories in the past two events. "I love Japan and I am really happy to come back here every year to race. Motegi is the place where I last won, and I have a positive mindset for the weekend," he commented. He also tightened his focus, saying, "I struggled in Austria, but I was able to return to the points. I have to keep working hard to regain the best riding feeling."

Bagnaia has competed in 249 Grands Prix, recording 41 wins, 86 podiums, and 35 pole positions. He has won 14 Sprints and has earned 3 world titles to date. He is currently 9th in the Riders' Championship with 156 points. Two races, the Sprint and the main race, are scheduled to be held at Motegi this weekend.

Ducati Media House:https://mediahouse.ducati.com/16-japanese-gp-2026/?lang=oci&country=oci