Bezzecchi wins as Martin retakes championship lead

Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi won the Indonesian Grand Prix, securing the 300th victory for an Italian in MotoGP and keeping his faint championship hopes alive. Bezzecchi made his move on pole-sitter Raul Fernandez in the final third of the Grand Prix at the Mandalika International Circuit. Fernandez finished second, and compatriot Jorge Martin finished third, also on Aprilia bikes.

Fernandez had to improvise to brake after fracturing two fingers in Saturday's sprint, but he got away cleanly from his first-ever pole. Martin, who will head to Australia in a fortnight with the most slender of leads, said he had done all he could.

The result for 2024 world champion Martin moves him up to 355 points at the top of the championship standings, with Marc Marquez second on 353 and Bezzecchi third with 309. There are five grands prix remaining in the 2026 season, with the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island the next meeting in the calendar in a fortnight's time.

Bezzecchi, who last won a race in May, expressed his happiness with the result, crediting his team for their hard work and dedication. Martin also acknowledged the efforts of his team, stating that he had done the maximum he could.

The MotoGP world championship is heating up, with Martin and Marquez locked in a tight battle for the title. Bezzecchi's win has kept him in the championship title hunt, but he faces a tough task to catch up with the leaders.

The Indonesian Grand Prix was a captivating event, with Bezzecchi's victory marking the 300th win for an Italian in MotoGP. The result has set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 season.