The 17th race of the 2025 MotoGP World Championship takes place this Sunday at Motegi, marking the final round of the season’s intense title fight. Marc Marquez enters the Japanese Grand Prix with a chance to secure his seventh MotoGP world title, following a strong second-place finish in Saturday’s sprint race. With his main competitor, Alex Marquez, finishing tenth in the sprint, Marc Marquez holds a significant advantage heading into the 24-lap race.
Title Scenarios for Marc Marquez
Starting from third on the grid, Marc Marquez has several winning scenarios in this 2025 Japanese MotoGP race that would secure his championship regardless of Alex Marquez’s performance. He will win the title if he finishes first or second, regardless of Alex’s placement. If Marc finishes third, Alex must not surpass second place for Marc to claim the crown. Various other finish combinations also allow Marc to become champion, including finishing as low as 15th, provided Alex finishes correspondingly lower.
The detailed scenarios are as follows: Marc wins if he is first or second regardless of Alex’s position; third with Alex no higher than second; fourth to sixth with Alex no higher than third; seventh to ninth with Alex no higher than fourth; tenth or eleventh with Alex no higher than fifth; twelfth with Alex no higher than sixth; thirteenth with Alex no higher than seventh; fourteenth with Alex no higher than eighth; fifteenth with Alex no higher than ninth; or if he scores no points and Alex finishes no higher than tenth.
Other Riders to Watch at Motegi
Alex Marquez will start the race from eighth position, eager to keep his championship hopes alive. Pecco Bagnaia, meanwhile, secured pole position after a strong qualifying session and will look to capture his first Grand Prix victory of the season. Bagnaia, who last won at Austin, also claimed his first sprint race victory of the campaign on Saturday, putting him in a confident position for Sunday’s main event.
However, the race will see the absence of Aprilia’s Jorge Martin, who withdrew due to a shoulder injury sustained during Saturday’s crash. Additionally, Japan’s own Ai Ogura has pulled out of the race because of ongoing hand pain related to an earlier incident at the San Marino Grand Prix, disappointing local fans hoping for a strong home performance.
Implications and What Lies Ahead
The 2025 Japanese MotoGP race at Motegi represents a pivotal moment in this season’s intense title competition. With Marc Marquez positioned on the cusp of another world championship, the event carries high stakes for both him and Alex Marquez. The outcome will determine not only who takes the title but will also shape the legacy of this closely contested season. Fans and teams alike will watch closely as strategy and endurance become paramount in what promises to be a gripping conclusion to the 2025 MotoGP World Championship.
