{"id":2187501,"date":"2026-10-09T11:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T08:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2187501"},"modified":"2026-10-09T11:00:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T08:00:30","slug":"mandalika-ideal-for-aprilia-but-could-raul-be-in-the-middle-of-motogp-title-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2187501","title":{"rendered":"Mandalika \u201cideal for Aprilia\u201d, but could Raul be \u201cin the middle\u201d of MotoGP title fight?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Mandalika \u201cideal for Aprilia\u201d, but could Raul be \u201cin the middle\u201d of MotoGP title fight?<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Raul Fernandez says Mandalika is the \u201cideal track for Aprilia\u201d after leading an all-RS-GP MotoGP top three in Indonesia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Peter McLaren <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-10-09T12:00:30+01:00\">09 Oct 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Raul Fernandez: \u201cIf you had to make an ideal track for Aprilia, it\u2019s this one\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<aside>\n<div class=\"preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div>  Prefer Crash.Net on Google <\/div>\n<div> See our stories more often<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"button\">  Add <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Raul Fernandez did his best to contain his delight after leading an all-Aprilia top three in Friday practice for the Indonesian MotoGP.<\/p>\n<p>But the Trackhouse rider, who unlike factory RS-GP stars Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi has no championship pressure, admitted he was even happier with his pace on the medium rear than with P1.<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez set a 1m 29.793s on an eight-lap-old medium tyre earlier in the session.<\/p>\n<p>For comparison, Ducati\u2019s Marc Marquez could only manage a 1m 30.149s on the medium, while Fernandez\u2019s lap would almost have been enough for direct Q2 qualification.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Raul Fernandez, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>When Fernandez eventually fitted fresh soft tyres and lowered the fuel load, he slashed around a second from his lap time to finish 0.2s clear of Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe expected that this kind of track could be easier for us, but not like we saw in practice, to be honest,\u201d Fernandez admitted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know that Aprilia here is quite fast, so to make the difference I have to put everything that I have.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday I am happy, not for the lap record\u2026 I am really happy with the pace. The pace that I made was super strong.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the medium, I was not faster than with the soft, but I felt more comfortable, and this is the happiest thing for me today.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Raul Fernandez, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>KTM\u2019s Pedro Acosta was the best non-Aprilia rider in fourth, 0.669s behind Fernandez, while Marquez was the leading Ducati in fifth at +0.701s.<\/p>\n<p>Asked whether he could see Aprilia\u2019s rivals closing the gap this weekend, Fernandez struggled to imagine it on current form.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t want to feel that I am a superstar when I say [it] but right now I feel that it&#8217;s very difficult.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you had to make an ideal track for Aprilia, it\u2019s this one. Fast corners, flowing parts, super easy for us.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cWith the medium I [almost] made a lap time to be in Q2 directly.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>No title pressure, but could Raul be &#8220;in the middle&#8221;?<\/h2>\n<p>With Martin and Bezzecchi locked in a title fight against Marc Marquez, Fernandez also has the advantage of being able to focus entirely on his own result.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-7a6f71bc47c05e28e1a919c415c8660048dbb103e8304c3cc4a3ae437c3d102a\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Jorge Martin \u201cstruggling\u201d, \u201ca bit far\u201d from victory and wary of Marc Marquez<\/li>\n<li>MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix: Which riders are in Q2?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t want to be in the middle, and I don&#8217;t want to be disturbing [the factory Aprilias], because they have a lot of work [against] Ducati and Marc, but we have a really good opportunity,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think Trackhouse is doing a really good job, I want to give them everything that they are giving to me, so I just want to enjoy and don&#8217;t think about the championship. I have a really good opportunity here, no pressure, so let&#8217;s try to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aprilia has said no team orders will apply, beyond giving each other extra room, until its riders are out of mathematical title contention.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Fernandez took his maiden Sprint podium at Mandalika last season and has since added Sprint victories at Assen and Mugello, plus his first MotoGP Grand Prix victory at Silverstone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need to keep the mentality and focus, feet on the ground, and don&#8217;t make stupid things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel super good, but we need to be calm and try every time to improve. If not, it will be difficult to win in a race.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Team-mate Ai Ogura finished 13th after a fast FP1 crash heavily damaged one of his RS-GPs.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Sign up for the Crash MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-field-keywords block-layout-builder\">\n<h2>Tags:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Raul Fernandez<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Marco Bezzecchi<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Jorge Martin<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3> Previous <span>Article<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_plain\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Marc Marquez \u201ccloser than we thought\u201d in Indonesia MotoGP practice <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <span>Article<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_plain\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Fabio Quartararo \u201clucky\u201d to avoid Marc Marquez-style Indonesia crash <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-4a995a717814e36a32947d831dac1d7db5a9767c2427435a8bccfde6c9e9060e\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/picture-72168-1654791772.png?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/picture-72168-1654791772.png?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/picture-72168-1654791772.png?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Peter McLaren<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">MotoGP Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez\u2019s injury issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>Related Articles<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-d90e485ce6622c20b9e464519a82d401c2b3454b12dfc9d6f51b75f3d879e953\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Raul Fernandez tops crash-strewn Indonesia MotoGP Practice<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse Aprilia, 2026 Indonesian GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Indonesian MotoGP, Mandalika &#8211; Friday Practice Results<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Raul Fernandez, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP. \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Bezzecchi fastest as Marc Marquez splits the Aprilias in FP1<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351418_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP. \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>2026 Indonesian MotoGP Practice at Mandalika today: Start times and how to watch<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1350749_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez, Jorge Martin, 2026 Japanese MotoGP. \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Jorge Martin hailed as &#8220;astonishing&#8221; in Marc Marquez battle he&#8217;s &#8220;never lost&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1345944_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Trackhouse riders outline stance on MotoGP team orders as pressure mounts<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1349606_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Raul Fernandez.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"component-card-default block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<h2>Latest News<\/h2>\n<div class=\"component-blocks-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-0a774065f0af0c666f7dd5493550b7e1ff2798fb69c34753c1a6978ac9f56ef1\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alex Rins gives Indonesia MotoGP marshal middle finger in heated exchange<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791550907\"> 6m ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351465_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351465_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351465_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Toprak Razgatlioglu facing MotoGP-first after Indonesia practice<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791548730\"> 42m ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351323_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351323_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351323_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Pecco Bagnaia explains major MotoGP breakthrough in Indonesia<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791546531\"> 1h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351942_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351942_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351942_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Jorge Martin \u201cstruggling\u201d, \u201ca bit far\u201d from victory and wary of Marc Marquez<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791545970\"> 1h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Fabio Quartararo \u201clucky\u201d to avoid Marc Marquez-style Indonesia crash<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791544450\"> 1h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352124_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352124_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352124_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"main-lists block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Sign up for the Crash MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"component-card-default block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<h2>More News<\/h2>\n<div class=\"component-blocks-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-9e886d6646b43e3ec6131e65157b34c06bed5bcb10a826fe496ce3b3f6c00f50\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mandalika \u201cideal for Aprilia\u201d, but could Raul be \u201cin the middle\u201d of title fight?<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791543630\"> 2h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Marc Marquez \u201ccloser than we thought\u201d in Indonesia MotoGP practice<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791542424\"> 2h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351943_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351943_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351943_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Is MotoGP Qatar going ahead? Here&#8217;s everything we know so far<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791541253\"> 2h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/gng_1221645_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/gng_1221645_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/gng_1221645_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Raul Fernandez tops crash-strewn Indonesia MotoGP Practice<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791535576\"> 4h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Indonesia MotoGP Practice delayed due to stewards\u2019 room issue<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791529825\"> 5h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351417_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351417_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351417_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Raul Fernandez says Mandalika is the \u201cideal track for Aprilia\u201d after leading an all-RS-GP MotoGP top three in Indonesia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Raul Fernandez did his best to contain his delight after leading an all-Aprilia top three in Friday practice for the Indonesian MotoGP.<\/p>\n<p>But the Trackhouse rider, who unlike factory RS-GP stars Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi has no championship pressure, admitted he was even happier with his pace on the medium rear than with P1.<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez set a 1m 29.793s on an eight-lap-old medium tyre earlier in the session.<\/p>\n<p>For comparison, Ducati\u2019s Marc Marquez could only manage a 1m 30.149s on the medium, while Fernandez\u2019s lap would almost have been enough for direct Q2 qualification.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Raul Fernandez, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>When Fernandez eventually fitted fresh soft tyres and lowered the fuel load, he slashed around a second from his lap time to finish 0.2s clear of Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe expected that this kind of track could be easier for us, but not like we saw in practice, to be honest,\u201d Fernandez admitted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know that Aprilia here is quite fast, so to make the difference I have to put everything that I have.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday I am happy, not for the lap record\u2026 I am really happy with the pace. The pace that I made was super strong.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the medium, I was not faster than with the soft, but I felt more comfortable, and this is the happiest thing for me today.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Raul Fernandez, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>KTM\u2019s Pedro Acosta was the best non-Aprilia rider in fourth, 0.669s behind Fernandez, while Marquez was the leading Ducati in fifth at +0.701s.<\/p>\n<p>Asked whether he could see Aprilia\u2019s rivals closing the gap this weekend, Fernandez struggled to imagine it on current form.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t want to feel that I am a superstar when I say [it] but right now I feel that it&#8217;s very difficult.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you had to make an ideal track for Aprilia, it\u2019s this one. Fast corners, flowing parts, super easy for us.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cWith the medium I [almost] made a lap time to be in Q2 directly.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>No title pressure, but could Raul be &#8220;in the middle&#8221;?<\/h2>\n<p>With Martin and Bezzecchi locked in a title fight against Marc Marquez, Fernandez also has the advantage of being able to focus entirely on his own result.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-7a6f71bc47c05e28e1a919c415c8660048dbb103e8304c3cc4a3ae437c3d102a\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Jorge Martin \u201cstruggling\u201d, \u201ca bit far\u201d from victory and wary of Marc Marquez<\/li>\n<li>MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix: Which riders are in Q2?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t want to be in the middle, and I don&#8217;t want to be disturbing [the factory Aprilias], because they have a lot of work [against] Ducati and Marc, but we have a really good opportunity,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think Trackhouse is doing a really good job, I want to give them everything that they are giving to me, so I just want to enjoy and don&#8217;t think about the championship. I have a really good opportunity here, no pressure, so let&#8217;s try to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aprilia has said no team orders will apply, beyond giving each other extra room, until its riders are out of mathematical title contention.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Fernandez took his maiden Sprint podium at Mandalika last season and has since added Sprint victories at Assen and Mugello, plus his first MotoGP Grand Prix victory at Silverstone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need to keep the mentality and focus, feet on the ground, and don&#8217;t make stupid things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel super good, but we need to be calm and try every time to improve. If not, it will be difficult to win in a race.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Team-mate Ai Ogura finished 13th after a fast FP1 crash heavily damaged one of his RS-GPs.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Sign up for the Crash MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Raul Fernandez did his best to contain his delight after leading an all-Aprilia top three in Friday practice for the Indonesian MotoGP.<\/p>\n<p>But the Trackhouse rider, who unlike factory RS-GP stars Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi has no championship pressure, admitted he was even happier with his pace on the medium rear than with P1.<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez set a 1m 29.793s on an eight-lap-old medium tyre earlier in the session.<\/p>\n<p>For comparison, Ducati\u2019s Marc Marquez could only manage a 1m 30.149s on the medium, while Fernandez\u2019s lap would almost have been enough for direct Q2 qualification.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352165_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Raul Fernandez, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>When Fernandez eventually fitted fresh soft tyres and lowered the fuel load, he slashed around a second from his lap time to finish 0.2s clear of Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe expected that this kind of track could be easier for us, but not like we saw in practice, to be honest,\u201d Fernandez admitted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know that Aprilia here is quite fast, so to make the difference I have to put everything that I have.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday I am happy, not for the lap record\u2026 I am really happy with the pace. The pace that I made was super strong.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the medium, I was not faster than with the soft, but I felt more comfortable, and this is the happiest thing for me today.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351514_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Raul Fernandez, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>KTM\u2019s Pedro Acosta was the best non-Aprilia rider in fourth, 0.669s behind Fernandez, while Marquez was the leading Ducati in fifth at +0.701s.<\/p>\n<p>Asked whether he could see Aprilia\u2019s rivals closing the gap this weekend, Fernandez struggled to imagine it on current form.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t want to feel that I am a superstar when I say [it] but right now I feel that it&#8217;s very difficult.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you had to make an ideal track for Aprilia, it\u2019s this one. Fast corners, flowing parts, super easy for us.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cWith the medium I [almost] made a lap time to be in Q2 directly.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>No title pressure, but could Raul be &#8220;in the middle&#8221;?<\/h2>\n<p>With Martin and Bezzecchi locked in a title fight against Marc Marquez, Fernandez also has the advantage of being able to focus entirely on his own result.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-7a6f71bc47c05e28e1a919c415c8660048dbb103e8304c3cc4a3ae437c3d102a\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Jorge Martin \u201cstruggling\u201d, \u201ca bit far\u201d from victory and wary of Marc Marquez<\/li>\n<li>MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix: Which riders are in Q2?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t want to be in the middle, and I don&#8217;t want to be disturbing [the factory Aprilias], because they have a lot of work [against] Ducati and Marc, but we have a really good opportunity,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think Trackhouse is doing a really good job, I want to give them everything that they are giving to me, so I just want to enjoy and don&#8217;t think about the championship. I have a really good opportunity here, no pressure, so let&#8217;s try to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aprilia has said no team orders will apply, beyond giving each other extra room, until its riders are out of mathematical title contention.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Fernandez took his maiden Sprint podium at Mandalika last season and has since added Sprint victories at Assen and Mugello, plus his first MotoGP Grand Prix victory at Silverstone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need to keep the mentality and focus, feet on the ground, and don&#8217;t make stupid things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel super good, but we need to be calm and try every time to improve. If not, it will be difficult to win in a race.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Team-mate Ai Ogura finished 13th after a fast FP1 crash heavily damaged one of his RS-GPs.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Sign up for the Crash MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/motogp\/news\/1106800\/1\/mandalika-ideal-aprilia-could-raul-be-middle-motogp-title-fight&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352172_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Mandalika \u201cideal for Aprilia\u201d, but could Raul be \u201cin the middle\u201d of MotoGP title fight? Raul Fernandez says Mandalika is the \u201cideal track for Aprilia\u201d after leading an all-RS-GP MotoGP top three in Indonesia. Peter McLaren 09 Oct 2026 Share Raul Fernandez: \u201cIf you had to make an ideal track for Aprilia, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-2187501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2187501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2187501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2187501\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2187501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2187501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2187501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}