Aprilia takes all four top spots, but Marc Márquez remains on its mind

Aprilia enjoyed a Sunday to celebrate, but Marc Márquez was still on its mind. At Mandalika, its four RS-GP bikes filled the first four places in the long race of the MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix, a historic result for the manufacturer. Yet the drama of Saturday had not faded, even after that performance.

Bezzecchi won the race, while Jorge Martín finished third and returned to the championship lead, holding an advantage of just two points. Bezzecchi, meanwhile, remains 46 points from the title. Raúl Fernández took second after adapting his riding to brake with his middle finger; his ride also cost Martín points. Tardozzi, for his part, was prepared to accept a 10-12-point loss. The account also referred to a tie with Martín and just three points conceded to Bez.

The result takes on another dimension in relation to Marc Márquez: Aprilia knows it let slip a chance to put him under pressure on a circuit where it believed it should dominate him. Márquez finished only sixth, behind a combative Acosta. Another result in the race also helped cut the gap to him.

Jorge Martín continues to believe in himself and his bike. The rider said: “I feel faster each time and more able to fight. I’m confident I can be competitive in all the remaining races.” He also noted that Marc does not make mistakes, and that winning will come down to getting things right. Meanwhile, the older of the Márquez brothers was smiling broadly, with the Mandalika race marking his first Sunday finish at the circuit.

Aprilia’s sweep was a clear sporting success, but it did not wipe away the missed opportunity or the tensions the finishing order could reignite. Bezzecchi’s victory and Martín’s return to the top also keep the championship battle central to the story.