Six months ago, Marco Bezzecchi looked like the rider to beat. He now heads to Motegi openly admitting that his two closest rivals are a step ahead in the championship.
The Italian won four of the opening eight grands prix of the 2026 MotoGP season and led the standings until Assen. Since then, he has failed to score in five of his last eight races, and the Bezzecchi MotoGP title charge has lost its early momentum.
Bezzecchi Faces His Biggest Gap of 2026
Bezzecchi sits third on 264 points, 42 behind Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin and 30 behind reigning champion Marc Marquez. Martin leads Marquez by 12. It is the largest deficit Bezzecchi has faced all year.
The maths still gives him hope. Seven rounds and 259 points remain. A perfect weekend is worth 37 points, so Bezzecchi cannot reclaim the lead in Japan, but a strong result could pull him back into contention.
Bezzecchi was realistic about where he stands. He said he still sees himself in the fight, just not as deeply as Martin and Marquez. His aim is to claw back ground and work his way into the mix. It was an honest assessment from a rider who spent eight rounds on top of the table.
Motegi Offers a Chance to Strike Back
The Japanese Grand Prix runs from October 2 to 4, opening the final stint of the season. It is unfamiliar territory for Aprilia, which has never taken a podium at Motegi.
Bezzecchi also has unfinished business there. His 2025 visit was disrupted when Martin hit him at Turn 1 of the Sprint. That same weekend, Marquez sealed his ninth world title at the circuit.
With Martin and Marquez separated by just 12 points, any slip from the leaders opens a door. If Bezzecchi rediscovers his early season speed, the Bezzecchi MotoGP title fight could still have another chapter.
