Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool
As MotoGP heads from Misano to the spectacular Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, the battle for the championship intensifies. Jorge Martin holds a 24-point lead, but with fierce competition from Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini, the upcoming race promises high drama. Indonesia’s passionate MotoGP fans are set for another unforgettable weekend as the title fight heats up.
There is no time to catch your breath as the action moves from Misano to Lombok. With just a 24-point gap between the top contenders and so much more still to grab, Indonesia is ready for a MotoGP spectacle. Fans are in for a treat, as the past few rounds have been packed with controversial moves, shifting momentum, and plenty of drama. So, let’s review what we can expect this weekend.
Jorge Martin is now enjoying a 24-point lead in the championship. While Martin might have lost the last race, the battle with Bastianini has nearly faded from memory. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia crashed out at Misano, keeping things tight. Therefore, Mandalika will be another chapter in their fierce rivalry, as the circuit holds unforgettable moments for both riders. Last year, Martin took the points lead on Saturday, only to crash out on Sunday, while Bagnaia, under intense pressure, started from P13 to take the victory. This weekend, both riders are sure to be in the thick of it once again.
Don’t worry, there’s so much more. Enea Bastianini, the man responsible for the controversial overtake on Martin, is also a force to keep in mind. With less experience at Mandalika, Bastianini will be eager to keep up, and his performance at Misano only shows that he is always a threat. Can he carry his momentum forward—stronger than after his Silverstone double?
Meanwhile, the battle for third is heating up. Bastianini has reclaimed his spot over Marc Marquez, but only by one point. Marquez has shown consistency, adding another podium to his collection after two back-to-back race wins.
As we move on, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team heads from their home turf to the home of their title sponsor. Fabio Di Giannantonio is holding onto his position in the standings despite battling injury and facing a chaotic Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. His mission for this weekend is clear: keep it calm. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi is closing the gap with strong performances, including his front-row start at San Marino.
Franco Morbidelli will be looking to recover from a tough second round at Misano after his Sprint podium, while Alex Marquez is hoping for better luck. After fighting for the podium at Aragon, Misano just didn’t click for him.
For KTM and GASGAS, Misano was a tease. Brad Binder delivered in qualifying and the Sprint but crashed out during the race, as did rookie Pedro Acosta. Both riders will be seeking redemption, and with them soon to be teammates, there’s already some cat-and-mouse play happening between them. Jack Miller will also be looking to push forward now that his future is settled, while Augusto Fernandez still awaits news about his next move, as rumors suggest he may be transitioning to a new factory as a test rider.
Yamaha has shown plenty of progress. Fabio Quartararo put together back-to-back Q2 appearances for the first time this season, followed by two solid race finishes. It was heartbreak in Emilia-Romagna, as the French rider ran out of fuel while pushing for fifth place. Still, Quartararo has never been off the podium at Mandalika. His teammate, Alex Rins, returns after missing the last weekend’s race due to illness, now back at full health and ready to fight for points.
Indonesia’s love for MotoGP is legendary, and the excitement will be there from the start. The stage is set for another unforgettable weekend of racing, with so much on the line and the drama far from over.
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