The Indonesia Grand Prix offered a weekend full of emotions with two very different races from the same starting grid. This event was held a few days after MotoGP announced the introduction of a second qualifying session each weekend starting in 2027.
Both brands, Ducati and Aprilia, secured one victory each in Mandalika, keeping the competition alive and balanced between them ahead of the next Grand Prix in Australia.
The contrasting results between the two races make it difficult to determine who won and who lost, but below we analyze the main winners and losers of this Indonesia MotoGP Grand Prix.
Aprilia: Winner and loser
The Indonesia GP has been historic for Aprilia, which has occupied the top four positions in a MotoGP race for the first time. Although the team had already been on the podium several times this year, it achieved a historic milestone in Mandalika.
Each Aprilia rider contributed their part: Marco Bezzecchi delivered a brilliant performance to win, Raul Fernandez challenged adversity with a broken finger, and Jorge Martin overtook Marc Marquez to secure a podium spot. Additionally, Ai Ogura showcased his speed, moving from seventh to fourth place in the final part of the race.
However, the news is not so positive for Aprilia when considering the sprint race, which was a true nightmare. The collision between Fernandez and Bezzecchi during the first lap complicated everything, with Fernandez coming in additionally injured in the hand. The tensions between the riders could have harmed relationships heading into the next season.
The tire pressure rule: Loser
One of the most controversial rules of MotoGP has once again become the center of attention, with several key riders battling to keep tire pressure above the minimum limit. On Saturday, Martin lost a nearly secured victory due to an alarm that alerted about the low pressure of his tires.
On Sunday, the duel between Marquez and Pedro Acosta turned into an ungratifying scene, with both riders alternating positions to comply with the rule. Acosta expressed that these rules make riders resemble ‘donkeys’.
Marc Marquez: Winner
Arriving in Indonesia, Marc Marquez carried the weight of his past difficulties at the Mandalika circuit. Although Ducati did not expect to be a significant threat, Marquez quickly discovered he could compete at a high level.
He seized opportunities during qualifying, and when Martin experienced tire issues, Marquez stood firm, culminating in an unprecedented victory.
Despite struggling to stay within the top five in the Sunday race, his victory on Saturday and the points collected solidify him in the fight for his tenth world title.
Honda: Loser
The performance of Honda was disappointing over the weekend. This was undoubtedly their worst performance of the year, with none of their riders making it into the top 10 in Mandalika.
Honda’s riders, including Johann Zarco, faced serious issues with the RC213V, ranging from frustration to crashes during the races. They only managed to show some progress on Sunday, where Luca Marini was ninth during parts of the race, although he finished in twelfth position.
Riders in difficulty
The weekend was not favorable for Fermin Aldeguer and Toprak Razgatlioglu. Aldeguer, the winner of the previous edition, suffered a performance well below expectations and ended with a hand fracture after crashing during the race. Additionally, Razgatlioglu dislocated his shoulder in a crash, although he managed to finish the race.
With injuries requiring medical attention, both Aldeguer and Razgatlioglu will have to face a quick recovery before the Australian Grand Prix. The difficulties both stars have experienced highlight the toughness of competition and the inherent risks of motorsport.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
