Marc Márquez Clinches Seventh MotoGP Title at Motegi as Bagnaia Wins Japanese GP

Overview

• Francesco Bagnaia started from pole and won the main race after taking Saturday’s sprint, briefly nursing a smoking Ducati late on but maintaining control to the flag.
• Márquez only needed second to secure the championship and finished ahead of his closest rival, his brother Álex Márquez, who placed sixth.
• The new champion equals Valentino Rossi with seven premier-class titles and reaches nine world championships across all categories.
• Aprilia confirmed Jorge Martín sustained a displaced fracture of his right clavicle in the sprint crash and will return to Spain for surgery on Monday, while Marco Bezzecchi suffered a heavy leg contusion without fractures.
• Joan Mir finished third to give Honda a podium in the main race, as Ducati’s speed defined the weekend with a 1-2 in the sprint and Bagnaia’s Sunday victory; Miguel Oliveira was delayed by the sprint’s first-corner incident and later took 14th in the GP.