Márquez can clinch 10th title in Qatar as Martín returns from wrist injury

A 44-point cushion heading into Qatar

Marc Márquez (Ducati) leads the MotoGP standings with 399 points, 44 ahead of Jorge Martín (Aprilia) on 355 and 67 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) on 332. Three rounds remain, in Qatar, Portugal and Valencia, with 111 points still to be scored. Márquez would have his first mathematical chance to clinch the title at the Losail circuit near Doha, after sitting 102 points behind the leader following the Italian Grand Prix in late May. Yamaha will not travel to Qatar because of the situation in the Middle East, so Fabio Quartararo, Àlex Rins, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu will be absent. Practice opens on Friday, 6 November, with the sprint on Saturday, 7 November and the Grand Prix on Sunday, 8 November, both scheduled for 17.00 Spanish time according to DAZN.

Marc Márquez399

Jorge Martín355

Marco Bezzecchi332

Marc Márquez

399 points

Jorge Martín

355 points

Marco Bezzecchi

332 points

Data from the article text

What Márquez needs in Qatar

To seal the title in Qatar, Márquez must outscore Martín by 30 points and Bezzecchi by 8 across the weekend, according to figures reported by Europa Press and El Confidencial. Europa Press says his title options depend on finishing at least fifth in the Saturday sprint. RTP's breakdown shows that fifth in the sprint plus a Sunday win, worth 30 points, would be enough if Martín scores nothing and Bezzecchi stays at 23 points or fewer across both races. A sprint win and second place on Sunday would give Márquez 32 points, enough if Martín scores no more than two. A third place on Sunday would not be enough even with a sprint win and no points for Martín, since that combination totals 28 points. Winning both races is the most demanding route that still allows a decision in Qatar, and Martín could then still score up to seven points.

Martín's return from a wrist fracture

Martín missed the Malaysian round after breaking his right wrist in a crash in Australia. Europa Press reports that he had a medical review scheduled for Thursday, 5 November, and RTP confirms that his return is set. Speaking to El Periódico, he said the bone in his right hand is still broken and that he would only know whether he could race, including the short sprint, after several laps in the first practice session on Friday. Bezzecchi, who led the standings after the first six races, described catching Márquez as very difficult, and in fact impossible, but said he would keep fighting while the mathematics allowed.

Rivals' verdicts and what is at stake

Fabio Quartararo, speaking to AS, said Márquez is very strong even without the best bike, and that his experience gives him the edge.

“Marc has it in his hand.”

Quartararo added that Márquez had returned from injury and a change of team, and called him an example as a rider and in mentality. At his official press conference on Thursday, Márquez said the title was closer but still far away.

“It is closer but still far. Only three races remain, but there are many moments ahead.”

A tenth world title would take Márquez past Valentino Rossi, who has nine, while an eighth MotoGP crown would equal Giacomo Agostini's record. Àlex Crivillé, a two-time world champion, told the Duralavita podcast that Márquez is the best rider in history.