{"id":2189870,"date":"2026-10-09T14:07:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T11:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2189870"},"modified":"2026-10-09T14:07:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T11:07:14","slug":"motogp-indonesia-what-we-learned-after-friday-practice-at-mandalika","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2189870","title":{"rendered":"MotoGP Indonesia: What we learned after Friday practice at Mandalika"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352073_hires.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>MotoGP Indonesia: What we learned after Friday practice at Mandalika<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Aprilia has made a flying start to the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend, but it faces a potential double headache from one of its own and from Marc Marquez. Here\u2019s everything we learned from Friday practice at the Indonesian Grand Prix\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Duncan <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-10-09T15:07:14+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_1352073_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352073_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352073_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352073_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352073_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352073_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352073_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352073_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352073_hires.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>Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP<\/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>Given his scorecard at the Indonesian Grand Prix, there is a genuine argument to be made that Marc Marquez has genuinely been cursed by the Mandalika circuit. He didn\u2019t start the 2022 race after suffering a concussion in a huge crash during warm-up. He failed to finish in 2023, while his bike expired in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, he made it through the first corner before his season was ended by a complicated shoulder injury after a collision with Aprilia\u2019s Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<p>On top of that, the Mandalika circuit is a fast layout that puts more strain on Marquez\u2019s right shoulder. And the stiffer tyre carcass Michelin brings to Indonesia to cope with the heat favours the Aprilia more than it does Ducati.<\/p>\n<p>If the Japanese Grand Prix was a must-win for Marquez, then Indonesia is very much a must-survive at this crucial stage of the championship battle.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 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>That said, the weekend started in encouraging fashion for Marquez. The Aprilias were, as expected, a step ahead. Raul Fernandez posted a new lap record of 1m28.725s to lead an Aprilia 1-2-3 at the end of Practice.<\/p>\n<p>But Marquez was in the conversation, particularly on race pace. In fact, all but one of the Ducatis secured a direct place in Q2, marking a far more positive outlook than was anticipated by the Bologna brand.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-overflow\">\n<table dir=\"ltr\" class=\"crash-report\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"5\" rowspan=\"1\"><strong>Indonesia MotoGP Practice: Outright best laps per brand<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Bike<\/td>\n<td>Rider<\/td>\n<td>Time<\/td>\n<td>Position<\/td>\n<td>Difference<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>Raul Fernandez<\/td>\n<td>1m28.725s<\/td>\n<td>1st<\/td>\n<td>&#8211;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>KTM<\/td>\n<td>Pedro Acosta<\/td>\n<td>1m29.394s<\/td>\n<td>4th<\/td>\n<td>0.669s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ducati\u00a0<\/td>\n<td>Marc Marquez<\/td>\n<td>1m29.426s<\/td>\n<td>5th<\/td>\n<td>0.701s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Yamaha<\/td>\n<td>Fabio Quartararo<\/td>\n<td>1m29.558s<\/td>\n<td>7th<\/td>\n<td>0.833s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Honda<\/td>\n<td>Luca Marini<\/td>\n<td>1m30.037s<\/td>\n<td>14th<\/td>\n<td>1.312s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Raul Fernandez\u2019s form rebound is bad news for Aprilia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Now, that statement may seem a little odd, and indeed even harsh. But with Fernandez 117 points down on championship leader Jorge Martin with six rounds to go, he\u2019s not exactly Aprilia\u2019s favoured combatant in the title race.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.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, Trackhouse Aprilia, 2026 Indonesian GP<\/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>But Fernandez\u2019s form is hardly unexpected. It was in Indonesia last year that his season was somewhat transformed. He scored a maiden sprint podium just a few weeks before his maiden grand prix victory in Malaysia.<\/p>\n<p>Since winning the British Grand Prix in August, Fernandez\u2019s form has declined. He failed to finish at Aragon, was sixth at Misano, 12th at the Red Bull Ring and fifth last weekend at Motegi.<\/p>\n<p>The tyre Michelin has brought to Indonesia is the same construction as the one used in Thailand at the start of the season. On that specific tyre, Fernandez scored a brace of third-place finishes at Buriram.<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez\u2019s one-lap speed was good, but it was his race pace that really impressed. On the same soft tyre, he was just under 0.4s per lap faster on average that factory counterpart Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-overflow\">\n<table dir=\"ltr\" class=\"crash-report\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"6\" rowspan=\"1\"><strong>2026 Indonesian MotoGP: Practice top 10 pace analysis\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rider<\/td>\n<td>Bike<\/td>\n<td>Pace<\/td>\n<td>Tyre<\/td>\n<td>Stint<\/td>\n<td>Laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Raul Fernandez<\/td>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>1m29.487s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>4 laps<\/td>\n<td>5 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Marco Bezzecchi<\/td>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>1m29.831s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>4 laps<\/td>\n<td>7 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Jorge Martin<\/td>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>1m30.649s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>3 laps<\/td>\n<td>8 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pedro Acosta<\/td>\n<td>KTM<\/td>\n<td>1m30.431s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>6 laps<\/td>\n<td>16 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Marc Marquez<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m30.421s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>7 laps<\/td>\n<td>14 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fabio Di Giannantonio<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m29.677s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>3 laps<\/td>\n<td>5 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fabio Quartararo<\/td>\n<td>Yamaha<\/td>\n<td>1m30.449s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>4 laps<\/td>\n<td>11 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Alex Marquez<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m31.205s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>5 laps<\/td>\n<td>14 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Franco Morbidelli<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP25<\/td>\n<td>1m30.107s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>2 laps<\/td>\n<td>5 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pecco Bagnaia<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m30.888s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>6 laps<\/td>\n<td>16 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\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>The Spaniard was also happy with the feeling he had on the medium tyre, which will likely be the race option on Sunday. But at this stage, his soft tyre pace makes him a shoo-in for victory in Saturday\u2019s sprint.<\/p>\n<p>Understandably, then, he\u2019s feeling pretty good about himself and doesn\u2019t feel like Bezzecchi, nor Martin, will have anything to offer him for the rest of the weekend.<\/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,\u201d he said when asked if the other Aprilias will catch up. \u201cIf you had to make an ideal track for Aprilia, it\u2019s this one. Fast corners, flowing parts, super easy for us. With the medium I [almost] made a lap time to be in Q2 directly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez says \u201cI don\u2019t want to be in the middle\u201d of the factory pair\u2019s title battle. But he\u2019s not going to roll over for them either if he has an opportunity to win a race. It\u2019s for good reason that Marc Marquez noted on Friday: \u201cI\u2019m happy for Raul. I mean, if an Aprilia needs to perform well, I would prefer Raul or [Ai]. Ogura than the other two.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aprilia hasn\u2019t outlined plans for team orders yet by the sound of things, with the Trackhouse duo noting that they would only consider it come the final two rounds when they know exactly where they are in the standings.<\/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>This could be a good weekend for Martin to put some daylight between himself and Marquez, and for Bezzecchi to close up even more. But a fast Fernandez plays into Marquez\u2019s hands more than it does his Aprilia rivals\u2019.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Martin is struggling, but Motegi showed how well he can rebound<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Martin\u2019s two-point championship lead is precarious as we begin the Indonesia weekend. It\u2019s one mistake away from turning into a decent deficit to Marquez. And Martin didn\u2019t get off on the right foot on Friday at Mandalika.<\/p>\n<p>He was third overall on the time attack, but a 1m29.206s vs a 1m28.725s is a considerable margin Martin has if he wants to get into the pole fight.<\/p>\n<p>His race pace was pretty dismal on the medium tyre and wildly inconsistent on the soft. He said he had a \u201cstrange\u201d issue where his front tyre was getting \u201ccold\u201d, despite the sweltering temperatures.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_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>Jorge Martin, 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>Whether he was just unlucky with a bad front tyre or there is a deeper issue, he wasn\u2019t confident at the end of the day.<\/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-b2d44fb1efe593a12571b1f2987625a73c92b9d753d8e055450233750835d744\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Fabio di Giannantonio \u201cgot hit\u201d, stuck \u201con the limiter\u201d in Turn 1 mayhem<\/li>\n<li>Marco Bezzecchi responds to &#8220;angry&#8221; Raul Fernandez: &#8220;He touched me&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m quite far from where I want to be. I feel I was struggling all Practice. In the morning I felt super good, I did my fastest lap with really used tyres. But then in the afternoon, something changed, and I was struggling with the front a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Team-mate Bezzecchi was much happier, albeit of the opinion that Fernandez is \u201ca step above everyone else\u201d. Bezzecchi has no choice but to go on the attack this weekend to close down his 49-point deficit to Martin.<\/p>\n<p>That, at this stage, looks possible given Martin\u2019s struggles. But his ability to bounce back was evident in Japan, where he went from a bad Friday to challenging Marquez for the win.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Winning will be hard, but Marquez\u2019s Indonesia curse may be over<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_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>Marc Marquez, 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>One of the main questions that lingered after the dust had settled on his season-ending crash in Indonesia last year was just where Marc Marquez could have finished in the grand prix. It had been a difficult weekend for Ducati\u2019s factory riders to that point on the stiffer Michelin tyre.<\/p>\n<p>But he made a step in the warm-up and was feeling good for the race. That step helped condition his Friday this year, as it provided him with a good base set-up to work from.<\/p>\n<p>He was second in FP1 and fifth at the end of Practice, 0.7s off the best pace. His best flying lap wasn\u2019t particularly good. He was only noticeably fast in the final sector, so there is work to do there. In sector two especially, which is full of fast right-handers, he is well off.<\/p>\n<p>But, given the physical nature of this track, perhaps there was an element of keeping his powder dry ahead of the big push on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n<p>As is typical, Marquez spent his day on medium rubber. His pace was good. On the 14th lap on the tyre, he posted a 1m30.1s. On a similarly aged medium, KTM\u2019s Pedro Acosta posted a 1m30.447s. Fernandez\u2019s best time on a far fresher medium was a 1m29.793s on his first run in Practice.<\/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>To win the sprint and the grand prix will be difficult. To finish on the podium, now that\u2019s entirely achievable based on his practice form.<\/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\">Marc Marquez<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Raul Fernandez<\/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\"> Alex Rins gives Indonesia MotoGP marshal middle finger in heated exchange <\/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\"> Toprak Razgatlioglu dislocates shoulder in Mandalika MotoGP highside &#8211; then returns! <\/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-df9a8f66c5218559fd05ea608c7756592d1ab8c8a91aa7082bd6fec49a2bbd22\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/img_8107.JPG?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/img_8107.JPG?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/img_8107.JPG?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\">Lewis Duncan<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Head of Editorial<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<div>Lewis joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having been a journalist for five years covering MotoGP for the Motorsport Network. In February of 2026, he became Head of Editorial.\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\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-0a4aa4917a85036c0be0e2fdd32bbba82032ed564a04ac5042b48c6195e7e913\">\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 says MotoGP Sprint win \u201cwas done\u201d but \u201cI had to let Marc pass\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352773_hires-1-1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez leads Sprint, Jorge Martin runs wide, 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>Raul Fernandez slams \u2018unprofessional\u2019 Marco Bezzecchi after MotoGP sprint clash<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352733_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse Aprilia, 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>Marc Marquez reveals he was \u201cdizzy\u201d after Indonesia MotoGP sprint win<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352805_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 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>The all-time MotoGP Sprint winners&#8217; list after Mandalika<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352838_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez wins Sprint, 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>\u201cI\u2019m not surprised\u201d: Marc Marquez blamed for Aprilia crash in Indonesia sprint<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352739_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Bezzecchi, Fernandez, down at Turn 1, Sprint, 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  Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mandalika Sprint Race: New 2026 MotoGP World Championship standings<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352053_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez, 2026 Indonesian MotoGP. \" 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-70dba1abb6e20a79edde1e74c02bc230ba8c2d6966de2cded0fa2d6c244b5026\">\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>Pedro Acosta explains KTM\u2019s Indonesian Grand Prix struggles<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791636785\"> 4h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1353120_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1353120_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1353120_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>Why Honda could bench Aleix Espargaro at the Indonesian Grand Prix<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791635381\"> 4h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352477_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352477_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352477_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>Alex Rins sent death threats after Indonesia MotoGP incident<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791633062\"> 5h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352902_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352902_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352902_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>Fabio di Giannantonio \u201cgot hit\u201d, stuck \u201con the limiter\u201d in Turn 1 mayhem<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791629750\"> 6h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352745_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352745_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352745_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>Alex Rins explains outburst against MotoGP marshal in \u2018strange misunderstanding\u2019<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791628402\"> 6h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/3.png?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/3.png?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/3.png?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-633c076e891c01ccf53149b07885af387a22ff52d80a04121d3dcf8be9526519\">\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>Marco Bezzecchi responds to &#8220;angry&#8221; Raul Fernandez: &#8220;He touched me&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791627170\"> 7h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352738_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352738_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352738_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>Jorge Martin says MotoGP Sprint win \u201cwas done\u201d but \u201cI had to let Marc pass\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791625550\"> 7h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352773_hires-1-1600x900.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352773_hires-1-1600x900.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352773_hires-1-1600x900.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>Raul Fernandez slams \u2018unprofessional\u2019 Marco Bezzecchi after MotoGP sprint clash<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791624828\"> 7h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352733_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352733_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352733_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>Marc Marquez reveals he was \u201cdizzy\u201d after Indonesia MotoGP sprint win<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791623795\"> 8h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352805_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352805_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352805_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>The all-time MotoGP Sprint winners&#8217; list after Mandalika<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791620343\"> 8h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352838_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352838_hires_1600x900.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352838_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>Aprilia has made a flying start to the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend, but it faces a potential double headache from one of its own and from Marc Marquez. Here\u2019s everything we learned from Friday practice at the Indonesian Grand Prix\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Given his scorecard at the Indonesian Grand Prix, there is a genuine argument to be made that Marc Marquez has genuinely been cursed by the Mandalika circuit. He didn\u2019t start the 2022 race after suffering a concussion in a huge crash during warm-up. He failed to finish in 2023, while his bike expired in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, he made it through the first corner before his season was ended by a complicated shoulder injury after a collision with Aprilia\u2019s Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<p>On top of that, the Mandalika circuit is a fast layout that puts more strain on Marquez\u2019s right shoulder. And the stiffer tyre carcass Michelin brings to Indonesia to cope with the heat favours the Aprilia more than it does Ducati.<\/p>\n<p>If the Japanese Grand Prix was a must-win for Marquez, then Indonesia is very much a must-survive at this crucial stage of the championship battle.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 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>That said, the weekend started in encouraging fashion for Marquez. The Aprilias were, as expected, a step ahead. Raul Fernandez posted a new lap record of 1m28.725s to lead an Aprilia 1-2-3 at the end of Practice.<\/p>\n<p>But Marquez was in the conversation, particularly on race pace. In fact, all but one of the Ducatis secured a direct place in Q2, marking a far more positive outlook than was anticipated by the Bologna brand.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-overflow\">\n<table dir=\"ltr\" class=\"crash-report\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"5\" rowspan=\"1\"><strong>Indonesia MotoGP Practice: Outright best laps per brand<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Bike<\/td>\n<td>Rider<\/td>\n<td>Time<\/td>\n<td>Position<\/td>\n<td>Difference<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>Raul Fernandez<\/td>\n<td>1m28.725s<\/td>\n<td>1st<\/td>\n<td>&#8211;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>KTM<\/td>\n<td>Pedro Acosta<\/td>\n<td>1m29.394s<\/td>\n<td>4th<\/td>\n<td>0.669s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ducati\u00a0<\/td>\n<td>Marc Marquez<\/td>\n<td>1m29.426s<\/td>\n<td>5th<\/td>\n<td>0.701s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Yamaha<\/td>\n<td>Fabio Quartararo<\/td>\n<td>1m29.558s<\/td>\n<td>7th<\/td>\n<td>0.833s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Honda<\/td>\n<td>Luca Marini<\/td>\n<td>1m30.037s<\/td>\n<td>14th<\/td>\n<td>1.312s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Raul Fernandez\u2019s form rebound is bad news for Aprilia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Now, that statement may seem a little odd, and indeed even harsh. But with Fernandez 117 points down on championship leader Jorge Martin with six rounds to go, he\u2019s not exactly Aprilia\u2019s favoured combatant in the title race.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.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, Trackhouse Aprilia, 2026 Indonesian GP<\/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>But Fernandez\u2019s form is hardly unexpected. It was in Indonesia last year that his season was somewhat transformed. He scored a maiden sprint podium just a few weeks before his maiden grand prix victory in Malaysia.<\/p>\n<p>Since winning the British Grand Prix in August, Fernandez\u2019s form has declined. He failed to finish at Aragon, was sixth at Misano, 12th at the Red Bull Ring and fifth last weekend at Motegi.<\/p>\n<p>The tyre Michelin has brought to Indonesia is the same construction as the one used in Thailand at the start of the season. On that specific tyre, Fernandez scored a brace of third-place finishes at Buriram.<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez\u2019s one-lap speed was good, but it was his race pace that really impressed. On the same soft tyre, he was just under 0.4s per lap faster on average that factory counterpart Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-overflow\">\n<table dir=\"ltr\" class=\"crash-report\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"6\" rowspan=\"1\"><strong>2026 Indonesian MotoGP: Practice top 10 pace analysis\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rider<\/td>\n<td>Bike<\/td>\n<td>Pace<\/td>\n<td>Tyre<\/td>\n<td>Stint<\/td>\n<td>Laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Raul Fernandez<\/td>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>1m29.487s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>4 laps<\/td>\n<td>5 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Marco Bezzecchi<\/td>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>1m29.831s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>4 laps<\/td>\n<td>7 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Jorge Martin<\/td>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>1m30.649s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>3 laps<\/td>\n<td>8 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pedro Acosta<\/td>\n<td>KTM<\/td>\n<td>1m30.431s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>6 laps<\/td>\n<td>16 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Marc Marquez<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m30.421s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>7 laps<\/td>\n<td>14 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fabio Di Giannantonio<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m29.677s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>3 laps<\/td>\n<td>5 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fabio Quartararo<\/td>\n<td>Yamaha<\/td>\n<td>1m30.449s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>4 laps<\/td>\n<td>11 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Alex Marquez<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m31.205s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>5 laps<\/td>\n<td>14 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Franco Morbidelli<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP25<\/td>\n<td>1m30.107s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>2 laps<\/td>\n<td>5 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pecco Bagnaia<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m30.888s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>6 laps<\/td>\n<td>16 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\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>The Spaniard was also happy with the feeling he had on the medium tyre, which will likely be the race option on Sunday. But at this stage, his soft tyre pace makes him a shoo-in for victory in Saturday\u2019s sprint.<\/p>\n<p>Understandably, then, he\u2019s feeling pretty good about himself and doesn\u2019t feel like Bezzecchi, nor Martin, will have anything to offer him for the rest of the weekend.<\/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,\u201d he said when asked if the other Aprilias will catch up. \u201cIf you had to make an ideal track for Aprilia, it\u2019s this one. Fast corners, flowing parts, super easy for us. With the medium I [almost] made a lap time to be in Q2 directly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez says \u201cI don\u2019t want to be in the middle\u201d of the factory pair\u2019s title battle. But he\u2019s not going to roll over for them either if he has an opportunity to win a race. It\u2019s for good reason that Marc Marquez noted on Friday: \u201cI\u2019m happy for Raul. I mean, if an Aprilia needs to perform well, I would prefer Raul or [Ai]. Ogura than the other two.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aprilia hasn\u2019t outlined plans for team orders yet by the sound of things, with the Trackhouse duo noting that they would only consider it come the final two rounds when they know exactly where they are in the standings.<\/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>This could be a good weekend for Martin to put some daylight between himself and Marquez, and for Bezzecchi to close up even more. But a fast Fernandez plays into Marquez\u2019s hands more than it does his Aprilia rivals\u2019.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Martin is struggling, but Motegi showed how well he can rebound<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Martin\u2019s two-point championship lead is precarious as we begin the Indonesia weekend. It\u2019s one mistake away from turning into a decent deficit to Marquez. And Martin didn\u2019t get off on the right foot on Friday at Mandalika.<\/p>\n<p>He was third overall on the time attack, but a 1m29.206s vs a 1m28.725s is a considerable margin Martin has if he wants to get into the pole fight.<\/p>\n<p>His race pace was pretty dismal on the medium tyre and wildly inconsistent on the soft. He said he had a \u201cstrange\u201d issue where his front tyre was getting \u201ccold\u201d, despite the sweltering temperatures.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_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>Jorge Martin, 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>Whether he was just unlucky with a bad front tyre or there is a deeper issue, he wasn\u2019t confident at the end of the day.<\/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-b2d44fb1efe593a12571b1f2987625a73c92b9d753d8e055450233750835d744\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Fabio di Giannantonio \u201cgot hit\u201d, stuck \u201con the limiter\u201d in Turn 1 mayhem<\/li>\n<li>Marco Bezzecchi responds to &#8220;angry&#8221; Raul Fernandez: &#8220;He touched me&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m quite far from where I want to be. I feel I was struggling all Practice. In the morning I felt super good, I did my fastest lap with really used tyres. But then in the afternoon, something changed, and I was struggling with the front a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Team-mate Bezzecchi was much happier, albeit of the opinion that Fernandez is \u201ca step above everyone else\u201d. Bezzecchi has no choice but to go on the attack this weekend to close down his 49-point deficit to Martin.<\/p>\n<p>That, at this stage, looks possible given Martin\u2019s struggles. But his ability to bounce back was evident in Japan, where he went from a bad Friday to challenging Marquez for the win.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Winning will be hard, but Marquez\u2019s Indonesia curse may be over<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_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>Marc Marquez, 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>One of the main questions that lingered after the dust had settled on his season-ending crash in Indonesia last year was just where Marc Marquez could have finished in the grand prix. It had been a difficult weekend for Ducati\u2019s factory riders to that point on the stiffer Michelin tyre.<\/p>\n<p>But he made a step in the warm-up and was feeling good for the race. That step helped condition his Friday this year, as it provided him with a good base set-up to work from.<\/p>\n<p>He was second in FP1 and fifth at the end of Practice, 0.7s off the best pace. His best flying lap wasn\u2019t particularly good. He was only noticeably fast in the final sector, so there is work to do there. In sector two especially, which is full of fast right-handers, he is well off.<\/p>\n<p>But, given the physical nature of this track, perhaps there was an element of keeping his powder dry ahead of the big push on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n<p>As is typical, Marquez spent his day on medium rubber. His pace was good. On the 14th lap on the tyre, he posted a 1m30.1s. On a similarly aged medium, KTM\u2019s Pedro Acosta posted a 1m30.447s. Fernandez\u2019s best time on a far fresher medium was a 1m29.793s on his first run in Practice.<\/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>To win the sprint and the grand prix will be difficult. To finish on the podium, now that\u2019s entirely achievable based on his practice form.<\/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>Given his scorecard at the Indonesian Grand Prix, there is a genuine argument to be made that Marc Marquez has genuinely been cursed by the Mandalika circuit. He didn\u2019t start the 2022 race after suffering a concussion in a huge crash during warm-up. He failed to finish in 2023, while his bike expired in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, he made it through the first corner before his season was ended by a complicated shoulder injury after a collision with Aprilia\u2019s Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<p>On top of that, the Mandalika circuit is a fast layout that puts more strain on Marquez\u2019s right shoulder. And the stiffer tyre carcass Michelin brings to Indonesia to cope with the heat favours the Aprilia more than it does Ducati.<\/p>\n<p>If the Japanese Grand Prix was a must-win for Marquez, then Indonesia is very much a must-survive at this crucial stage of the championship battle.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351309_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 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>That said, the weekend started in encouraging fashion for Marquez. The Aprilias were, as expected, a step ahead. Raul Fernandez posted a new lap record of 1m28.725s to lead an Aprilia 1-2-3 at the end of Practice.<\/p>\n<p>But Marquez was in the conversation, particularly on race pace. In fact, all but one of the Ducatis secured a direct place in Q2, marking a far more positive outlook than was anticipated by the Bologna brand.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-overflow\">\n<table dir=\"ltr\" class=\"crash-report\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"5\" rowspan=\"1\"><strong>Indonesia MotoGP Practice: Outright best laps per brand<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Bike<\/td>\n<td>Rider<\/td>\n<td>Time<\/td>\n<td>Position<\/td>\n<td>Difference<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>Raul Fernandez<\/td>\n<td>1m28.725s<\/td>\n<td>1st<\/td>\n<td>&#8211;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>KTM<\/td>\n<td>Pedro Acosta<\/td>\n<td>1m29.394s<\/td>\n<td>4th<\/td>\n<td>0.669s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ducati\u00a0<\/td>\n<td>Marc Marquez<\/td>\n<td>1m29.426s<\/td>\n<td>5th<\/td>\n<td>0.701s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Yamaha<\/td>\n<td>Fabio Quartararo<\/td>\n<td>1m29.558s<\/td>\n<td>7th<\/td>\n<td>0.833s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Honda<\/td>\n<td>Luca Marini<\/td>\n<td>1m30.037s<\/td>\n<td>14th<\/td>\n<td>1.312s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Raul Fernandez\u2019s form rebound is bad news for Aprilia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Now, that statement may seem a little odd, and indeed even harsh. But with Fernandez 117 points down on championship leader Jorge Martin with six rounds to go, he\u2019s not exactly Aprilia\u2019s favoured combatant in the title race.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351466_hires.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, Trackhouse Aprilia, 2026 Indonesian GP<\/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>But Fernandez\u2019s form is hardly unexpected. It was in Indonesia last year that his season was somewhat transformed. He scored a maiden sprint podium just a few weeks before his maiden grand prix victory in Malaysia.<\/p>\n<p>Since winning the British Grand Prix in August, Fernandez\u2019s form has declined. He failed to finish at Aragon, was sixth at Misano, 12th at the Red Bull Ring and fifth last weekend at Motegi.<\/p>\n<p>The tyre Michelin has brought to Indonesia is the same construction as the one used in Thailand at the start of the season. On that specific tyre, Fernandez scored a brace of third-place finishes at Buriram.<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez\u2019s one-lap speed was good, but it was his race pace that really impressed. On the same soft tyre, he was just under 0.4s per lap faster on average that factory counterpart Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-overflow\">\n<table dir=\"ltr\" class=\"crash-report\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"6\" rowspan=\"1\"><strong>2026 Indonesian MotoGP: Practice top 10 pace analysis\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rider<\/td>\n<td>Bike<\/td>\n<td>Pace<\/td>\n<td>Tyre<\/td>\n<td>Stint<\/td>\n<td>Laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Raul Fernandez<\/td>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>1m29.487s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>4 laps<\/td>\n<td>5 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Marco Bezzecchi<\/td>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>1m29.831s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>4 laps<\/td>\n<td>7 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Jorge Martin<\/td>\n<td>Aprilia<\/td>\n<td>1m30.649s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>3 laps<\/td>\n<td>8 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pedro Acosta<\/td>\n<td>KTM<\/td>\n<td>1m30.431s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>6 laps<\/td>\n<td>16 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Marc Marquez<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m30.421s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>7 laps<\/td>\n<td>14 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fabio Di Giannantonio<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m29.677s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>3 laps<\/td>\n<td>5 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fabio Quartararo<\/td>\n<td>Yamaha<\/td>\n<td>1m30.449s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>4 laps<\/td>\n<td>11 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Alex Marquez<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m31.205s<\/td>\n<td>Medium<\/td>\n<td>5 laps<\/td>\n<td>14 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Franco Morbidelli<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP25<\/td>\n<td>1m30.107s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>2 laps<\/td>\n<td>5 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pecco Bagnaia<\/td>\n<td>Ducati GP26<\/td>\n<td>1m30.888s<\/td>\n<td>Soft<\/td>\n<td>6 laps<\/td>\n<td>16 laps on tyre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\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>The Spaniard was also happy with the feeling he had on the medium tyre, which will likely be the race option on Sunday. But at this stage, his soft tyre pace makes him a shoo-in for victory in Saturday\u2019s sprint.<\/p>\n<p>Understandably, then, he\u2019s feeling pretty good about himself and doesn\u2019t feel like Bezzecchi, nor Martin, will have anything to offer him for the rest of the weekend.<\/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,\u201d he said when asked if the other Aprilias will catch up. \u201cIf you had to make an ideal track for Aprilia, it\u2019s this one. Fast corners, flowing parts, super easy for us. With the medium I [almost] made a lap time to be in Q2 directly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez says \u201cI don\u2019t want to be in the middle\u201d of the factory pair\u2019s title battle. But he\u2019s not going to roll over for them either if he has an opportunity to win a race. It\u2019s for good reason that Marc Marquez noted on Friday: \u201cI\u2019m happy for Raul. I mean, if an Aprilia needs to perform well, I would prefer Raul or [Ai]. Ogura than the other two.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aprilia hasn\u2019t outlined plans for team orders yet by the sound of things, with the Trackhouse duo noting that they would only consider it come the final two rounds when they know exactly where they are in the standings.<\/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>This could be a good weekend for Martin to put some daylight between himself and Marquez, and for Bezzecchi to close up even more. But a fast Fernandez plays into Marquez\u2019s hands more than it does his Aprilia rivals\u2019.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Martin is struggling, but Motegi showed how well he can rebound<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Martin\u2019s two-point championship lead is precarious as we begin the Indonesia weekend. It\u2019s one mistake away from turning into a decent deficit to Marquez. And Martin didn\u2019t get off on the right foot on Friday at Mandalika.<\/p>\n<p>He was third overall on the time attack, but a 1m29.206s vs a 1m28.725s is a considerable margin Martin has if he wants to get into the pole fight.<\/p>\n<p>His race pace was pretty dismal on the medium tyre and wildly inconsistent on the soft. He said he had a \u201cstrange\u201d issue where his front tyre was getting \u201ccold\u201d, despite the sweltering temperatures.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1352163_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>Jorge Martin, 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>Whether he was just unlucky with a bad front tyre or there is a deeper issue, he wasn\u2019t confident at the end of the day.<\/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-b2d44fb1efe593a12571b1f2987625a73c92b9d753d8e055450233750835d744\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Fabio di Giannantonio \u201cgot hit\u201d, stuck \u201con the limiter\u201d in Turn 1 mayhem<\/li>\n<li>Marco Bezzecchi responds to &#8220;angry&#8221; Raul Fernandez: &#8220;He touched me&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m quite far from where I want to be. I feel I was struggling all Practice. In the morning I felt super good, I did my fastest lap with really used tyres. But then in the afternoon, something changed, and I was struggling with the front a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Team-mate Bezzecchi was much happier, albeit of the opinion that Fernandez is \u201ca step above everyone else\u201d. Bezzecchi has no choice but to go on the attack this weekend to close down his 49-point deficit to Martin.<\/p>\n<p>That, at this stage, looks possible given Martin\u2019s struggles. But his ability to bounce back was evident in Japan, where he went from a bad Friday to challenging Marquez for the win.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Winning will be hard, but Marquez\u2019s Indonesia curse may be over<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/gng_1351437_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>Marc Marquez, 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>One of the main questions that lingered after the dust had settled on his season-ending crash in Indonesia last year was just where Marc Marquez could have finished in the grand prix. It had been a difficult weekend for Ducati\u2019s factory riders to that point on the stiffer Michelin tyre.<\/p>\n<p>But he made a step in the warm-up and was feeling good for the race. That step helped condition his Friday this year, as it provided him with a good base set-up to work from.<\/p>\n<p>He was second in FP1 and fifth at the end of Practice, 0.7s off the best pace. His best flying lap wasn\u2019t particularly good. He was only noticeably fast in the final sector, so there is work to do there. In sector two especially, which is full of fast right-handers, he is well off.<\/p>\n<p>But, given the physical nature of this track, perhaps there was an element of keeping his powder dry ahead of the big push on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n<p>As is typical, Marquez spent his day on medium rubber. His pace was good. On the 14th lap on the tyre, he posted a 1m30.1s. On a similarly aged medium, KTM\u2019s Pedro Acosta posted a 1m30.447s. Fernandez\u2019s best time on a far fresher medium was a 1m29.793s on his first run in Practice.<\/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>To win the sprint and the grand prix will be difficult. To finish on the podium, now that\u2019s entirely achievable based on his practice form.<\/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\/feature\/1106869\/1\/motogp-indonesia-what-we-learned-after-friday-practice-mandalika&#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_1352073_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] MotoGP Indonesia: What we learned after Friday practice at Mandalika Aprilia has made a flying start to the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend, but it faces a potential double headache from one of its own and from Marc Marquez. Here\u2019s everything we learned from Friday practice at the Indonesian Grand Prix\u2026 Lewis Duncan [&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-2189870","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\/2189870","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=2189870"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2189870\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2189870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2189870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2189870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}