Repsol Honda Team heads to Japan with the first chance for Marquez to clinch 2018 MotoGP Title
Marc Marquez arrives in Motegi following his powerful win in Thailand, which extended his Championship lead to 77 points over nearest rival Andrea Dovizioso and 99 over Valentino Rossi.
With a maximum of 100 points available across the season’s remaining four races, Marc could mathematically clinch the 2018 MotoGP World Title at Honda’s home Grand Prix (if he finishes ahead of Dovizioso or doesn’t lose more than two points to him, and if Rossi doesn’t win the race while Marc finishes out of the points). Marc has already won two of his four MotoGP World titles at Motegi, in 2014 and in 2016 (when he also took his first MotoGP win at the circuit).
Dani Pedrosa has also enjoyed brilliant results at the Twin Ring Motegi, and with five victories across all classes, he is the most successful rider at the track. Furthermore, Marc and Dani are the only riders on the current MotoGP grid who have managed to post Motegi wins in all three classes.
Honda, with eight victories, is the constructor with the most victories at Motegi, followed by Ducati with four and Yamaha with three.
At the Twin Ring Motegi circuit
Marc Marquez has 3 wins—1×125 (2010), 1xMoto2 (2012), 1xMotoGP (2016)—plus 4 podiums and 2 pole positions.
Dani Pedrosa has 5 wins—1×125 (2002), 1×250 (2004), 3xMotoGP (2011, 2012, 2015)—plus an additional 5 podiums and 4 pole positions.
Marc Marquez 93
“We have our first match ball at Honda’s home race, which is very important for our Factory. Of course we’ll try to get the best result in front of Honda’s people and home fans, but Motegi is a stop-and-go track where strong acceleration is a key factor, so we’ll have to work hard and improve a little bit in that area if we want to fight with Ducati. Otherwise, we’ll try to remain focused and calm and handle the situation as well as possible. The important thing is to ultimately achieve our goal at some point.”
Dani Pedrosa 26
“I’ve had many good results at Motegi in the past as I enjoy the track a lot, but I’ve also suffered some challenging moments. So we must wait and see, but of course I hope this year will be good and we’ll be able to continue the progress we’ve made in the last races, in term of pace and bike setup. The Japanese fans have always made me feel welcome and supported, and I look forward to be there again soon.”