Marc Marquez faces Bezzecchi challenge after Martin's title admission
Aprilia may have to rely on Bezzecchi (Credit: Apex Agency)
Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Marc Marquez’s quest for his 10th world title took a whole new twist at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
A week ago in Australia, things were rather simple for the Ducati rider - beat Jorge Martin.
However, during Saturday’s sprint Martin crashed out, extending his points deficit from two points to Marquez to 10.
To make matters worse for the Aprilia rider, he sustained a broken wrist, but headed straight to Sepang to try and compete in this weekend’s event.
Those ambitions were short-lived. The 2024 MotoGP champion pulled out of Friday’s practice sessions and then declared his weekend over on Saturday during qualifying due to pain and the inability to brake effectively.
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In fact, not only is his weekend over, but he argues his title challenge is too.
Jorge Martin admits MotoGP title hopes are effectively over
"I tried. My recovery is progressing very quickly, but not fast enough to be efficient on the bike,” he told the media.
“I could ride without pain, but only for one lap, then it would come and I couldn't be consistent. I had nothing to gain, it would have been difficult to even score a single point.
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“Continuing wouldn't have been the best choice, it would have meant I hadn't learned anything from the past.
“I don't think I need to think too much about the championship, maybe I can [mathematically] win it, but for me it's already lost. I'll definitely fight until the end.
“I tried, but it's part of life, it's part of this sport and I have to accept it."
“For me it's already lost."- Jorge Martin on the title
So Marquez is a ten time champion then? Well not quite.
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During Saturday’s sprint he finished second, but just behind him was Marco Bezzecchi, the man third in the championship.
Bezzecchi’s gap to Marquez increased to 52 points as a result, with Martin 19 behind the championship leader.
However, Bezzecchi isn’t giving up unlike his Aprilia teammate.
| Rider | Points |
| Marquez | 374 |
| Martin | 355 (-19) |
| Bezzecchi | 322 (-52) |
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Marco Bezzecchi refuses to surrender championship fight
Post-race, he commented: “Of course I believe. If I didn't believe, there would almost be no point in coming to the races. That's just how I am. I believe in it.
“I know it's difficult. Realistically, it's very, very difficult, especially with Marc performing like this and Jorge as well.
“We shouldn't forget about him, because although unfortunately he's not here this weekend, he's delivered some incredible performances up until now. So it won't be easy.”
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It won’t be easy, but Marquez at least thinks it won’t be as hard as it should be.
Team orders have long been a subject in the title fight, and Marquez believes he saw them in action at the end of the Sprint.
Marc Marquez suggests Aprilia team orders influenced Malaysian GP Sprint
He explained post-race: “The paddock is small. Ogura was trying to stay ahead of me because he knew he'd lose the podium otherwise; he can't be between my bike and Bezzecchi. Otherwise, I'd score more points.
“The paddock is small, and these things are known, but I was sure Ogura would be aggressive. We were able to attack him because otherwise, I knew Bezzecchi would attack me. So, one of the objectives was to finish ahead of Marco.”
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