MotoGP Japan: Marquez wins the sprint, Michelin withdraws the soft rear tyre

The Japanese Grand Prix sprint at Motegi produced two major developments: a win for Marc Marquez and a Michelin decision that changes Sunday's race. The manufacturer has withdrawn the soft rear tyre from the allocation after the wear problems seen during the sprint.

Marquez ahead, Moreira on the podium

Over 12 laps, Marc Marquez attacked for the lead from the first corner, ahead of pole-sitter Jorge Martin, and was never challenged. It is his 22nd sprint victory.

The podium was settled after the flag. Jorge Martin crossed the line ahead of Enea Bastianini, but both riders were demoted one place for exceeding track limits at turn 10 on the final lap. The result:

• 1. Marc Marquez
• 2. Diogo Moreira, his first sprint podium, promoted from fourth
• 3. Jorge Martin
• 4. Enea Bastianini
• 5. Ai Ogura, more than three seconds behind
• 6. Marco Bezzecchi, the only contender on the medium rear tyre

In the championship, Marquez closes to 7 points behind leader Martin. Bezzecchi is 45 points behind his Aprilia team-mate, and Pedro Acosta 79 points.

The first-lap clash

At turn 3 on the opening lap, Álex Márquez tried an overtake and took Pedro Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio down with him. The stewards gave him a double long lap for the main race, his first infraction of the season. Acosta was able to continue. Di Giannantonio fell heavily on his right shoulder and needed an ambulance; his condition had not been communicated at the time of the sources consulted.

Why Michelin withdrew the soft tyre

Michelin's head of two-wheeled motorsport, Piero Taramasso, explained that the new asphalt, the demanding layout and a track temperature of 40°C put exceptional loads on the tyres. The sprint was completed 9 seconds faster than last year's race, which caused blistering for several riders.

The problem affected only part of the field: Francesco Bagnaia's Ducati, two Aprilias including Martin's, and Jack Miller's Yamaha. Marc Marquez, the KTMs and most of the Hondas reported nothing. Michelin attributes this to riding style, tyre management and bike set-up.

For Sunday, riders must choose between the medium and the hard, the latter being the tyre brought specially for these conditions, the same as used in Austria. Michelin recommends it without imposing it. Warm-up is extended to 20 minutes so teams can assess the hard tyre.

What to watch on Sunday

Few riders have run the hard tyre: the race looks set to be a tyre-management exercise, with Álex Márquez's double long lap still to serve.

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