Has Marc Marquez ever won a race at Mandalika?

No. In fact, Marc Marquez has never managed to reach the finish line of a Sunday Grand Prix at the Mandalika circuit since it joined the calendar.

Why would Ducati accept losing points this weekend?

Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi said Mandalika does not suit the Ducati well and that rival bikes, mainly the Aprilias, are likely to be faster there. In a title fight this close, he said losing 10 or 12 points over the weekend could be considered not bad, although he stressed that Ducati still goes to Indonesia to win.

How many points are awarded during a MotoGP race weekend?

A rider can score a maximum of 37 points across a weekend: up to 12 points for winning the Saturday Sprint and 25 points for winning Sunday's full-length Grand Prix.

Who is currently leading the 2026 MotoGP World Championship?

Jorge Martin leads the championship on 333 points, holding a slender two-point advantage over Marc Marquez on 331 points.

Marc Marquez Seeks First Finish at Mandalika

Marc Marquez arrives in Indonesia just two points behind championship leader Jorge Martin, aiming to finish a Mandalika Grand Prix for the very first time.

Independent fan site — not affiliated with MotoGP or MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (formerly Dorna). Written by AI from official data and fact-checked: how this article was made.

The 2026 MotoGP world championship fight arrives in Lombok this weekend for the Indonesian Grand Prix with the title battle on a knife-edge. Just two points separate series leader Jorge Martin from reigning world champion Marc Marquez.

Yet behind that tiny gap lies one of the stranger statistical quirks in modern motorcycle racing. Despite boasting 79 premier-class Grand Prix victories and seven MotoGP world titles, Marquez has never actually finished a full-length Sunday race at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit.

As the prepares for round 17 of the 22-race season, both Marquez and his Ducati team are adopting a measured approach to a venue that has treated him unkindly in the past.

Illustration for our Mandalika track record story: kerbs on a tropical circuit corner — AI-generated illustration

Why is Mandalika such a puzzle for Marc Marquez?

The Indonesian Grand Prix joined the MotoGP calendar in 2022, but the coastal track has been full of misfortune for Marquez. Heavy crashes and bad luck have prevented him from ever seeing the chequered flag in a Sunday Grand Prix on the island.

Newcomers can learn more about the circuit’s seaside layout and tropical demands in our Mandalika track guide. The circuit features sweeping, high-speed sections and warm track temperatures that test tyre endurance.

Marquez aims to finally break that streak this weekend. After sweeping both the and the main race in Japan, his form is exceptional, but simply finishing Sunday’s race represents uncharted territory for him at this venue.

What is Ducati’s strategy for the weekend?

Ducati Lenovo Team management is taking a realistic view of the weekend. Team manager Davide Tardozzi admitted that Mandalika does not suit the Ducati well, and that rival bikes, mainly the Aprilias, are likely to be faster here.

Tardozzi said that losing 10 or 12 points across the weekend “could be considered not bad”, but stressed that Ducati still goes to Indonesia to win. Given Marquez’s record at the track, simply reaching the chequered flag on Sunday would already be progress.

To understand the decisions and leadership behind the pit wall, take a look at our guide to the MotoGP team manager. In a championship battle this tight, a non-finish would cost far more than a few lost places.

Illustration for our Ducati team strategy story: a team manager watching the pit lane — AI-generated illustration

How close is the 2026 championship fight?

The title contest could hardly be closer. Martin currently leads the standings on 333 points aboard his factory Aprilia, while Marquez sits in second place with 331 points.

Weekend points are split across two contests. Riders fight for up to 12 points during Saturday’s half-distance dash — explained in detail in our guide to what a MotoGP Sprint race is — before battling for 25 points in the full Grand Prix on Sunday.

With 37 total points available at every round and six race weekends remaining, every single position matters. A crash that leads to a score of zero points can transform the standings in an instant.

What happens next in Indonesia?

Martin enters the weekend hoping to extend his slender advantage on an Aprilia machine that has performed well on flowing circuits this year. His team-mate Marco Bezzecchi sits third in the standings on 284 points, meaning Aprilia has plenty of speed across the garage.

For Marquez, crossing the finish line on Sunday afternoon is the primary mission. Scoring solid points would keep his championship hunt firmly on course before the paddock travels to Australia, Malaysia, Qatar, Portugal, and Valencia for the final rounds.

If the reigning champion can finally conquer his Mandalika curse, the battle for the 2026 crown will remain intensely competitive right down to the wire.

Illustration for our title fight story: a rider carving through a fast turn — AI-generated illustration

Quick Takeaways

Jorge Martin leads Marc Marquez by just two points heading into the Indonesian Grand Prix.
Marc Marquez has never finished a Sunday Grand Prix at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit.
Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi said losing 10 to 12 points would not be bad at a track that does not suit the Ducati, but that the team still goes there to win.
Six rounds remain in the 2026 season, with 37 points up for grabs across each Sprint and Grand Prix weekend.