Jorge Martin will attempt to compete at the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit as he looks to claw back ground on championship leader Marc Marquez.
The Spanish riders are battling for the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, but they also face a challenge from Marco Bezzecchi, who sits 50 points behind Marquez, and Pedro Acosta, who claimed a brilliant podium at Sepang last year.
Martin Makes Heroic Return from Injury
Martin crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix just five days ago, fracturing the top of the radius bone in his right wrist. Although the initial diagnosis was concerning, the Aprilia rider was declared fit to ride on Thursday, keeping his championship hopes alive.
Reflecting on the Australian Grand Prix Sprint, MotoGP expert Tom Lüthi believes the crash could prove a decisive moment in the 2026 MotoGP title fight, particularly given the physical demands of racing in Malaysia, where track temperatures can exceed 50 degrees.
“On Saturday in Australia the MotoGP sprint race went ahead and that’s where something decisive happened in the title race,” said Lüthi. “Jorge Martín crashed whilst battling with Marc Márquez and broke his right wrist, whilst Marc Márquez went on to win the Sprint.
“That means he’s heading to Malaysia with a ten-point lead, whilst Jorge Martin has a broken wrist. Martin wants to get back in now – he’ll try, maybe he’ll even race in Malaysia. But I really can’t imagine him managing that, because it’s clearly a broken right arm and there are only a few days to go.”
Can Marquez Take Control of the MotoGP Championship?
Despite Martin’s injury, Lüthi believes Marquez still needs to deliver a strong weekend if he is to strengthen his position in the MotoGP World Championship battle.
The reigning MotoGP champion has enjoyed limited success at the Malaysian Grand Prix, with just two premier-class victories at Sepang. However, if he can avoid costly mistakes, Marquez has an opportunity to build a potentially decisive advantage before the championship heads to Qatar next week.
“It’s going to be really tough for Martin,” continued Lüthi. “Even if he could manage to ride his bike somehow, he’d certainly be a long way off being at 100 per cent.
“Bezzecchi is third in the World Championship and 50 points behind the leader. And yes, that’s certainly not the end of the world, but as long as Marc Márquez doesn’t make any major mistakes, I think he can now really kick off the decisive phase of the World Championship.”
Pedro Acosta Targets Sepang Podium
Pedro Acosta arrives at one of his favoured circuits with renewed optimism as he looks to return to the MotoGP podium.
The Spaniard has not finished on the podium since claiming his maiden MotoGP victory in Austria in September, but his previous results at the Sepang International Circuit offer encouragement.
Acosta secured an impressive second place at the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix after a race-long battle with Pecco Bagnaia. He also finished on the Moto2 podium at Sepang in 2023.
The circuit’s low-grip conditions and two long straights could play to the strengths of KTM’s RC16, which has performed well at similar tracks in recent months.
With five rounds remaining in the championship, Acosta still has plenty to fight for. Sitting 52 points behind Bezzecchi in the MotoGP standings, the KTM rider is targeting a top-three finish in the final championship rankings.
