The Japanese MotoGP 2019, and sixteenth scale in the championship calendar, is taking place this weekend (October 18th-20st) at the Motegi circuit. This will be Marc Márquez first race as eight world titleholder (six in the premier class) after sealing his latest title with his Thailand victory two weeks ago.

The #93 would want to celebrate his newly earned crown with the Japanese fans, at the home race of his bike manufacturer, Honda. And what better way to do this than with what would be his tenth victory of the season. Moreover, Honda leads the Manufacture´s Standings with 77 points above Ducati. So,m if Marquez wins his team could proclaim champions this weekend. 

The other main players at the Asian race will be Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati), the French rookie Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha Petronas), Maverick Viñales, Valentino Rossi (official Yamaha) and Álex Rins.

Márquez to pursue team and constructor’s titles

Only fifteen days have passed since his last victory but the Spaniard is already thinking about his next conquests: both the team and constructor’s crowns. Marc is well aware, however, that he cannot rely on teammate Jorge Lorenzo to give him a hand and so he knows that getting those two titles, and signing off a historic season, is very much on his shoulders.

On top of that ambition and in the Spaniard’s own words: “the 2020 season starts now (in the four remaining races of 2019)”. This is his way of starting to work towards the next season. Márquez wants to maintain his focus and hunger on the asphalt, also as a way of preventing further accidents such as the one suffered in Buriram.

Márquez has won in Motegi in 2018 and 2016 (MotoGP), in 2012 (Moto2) and  in 2010 (125 cc.), and so all forecasts place him as the great favourite to take the victory this weekend. Meanwhile, his Repsol-Honda teammate, Lorenzo will be celebrating his 200th race at one of his favourite tracks.

Not surprisingly, he has won here in Motegi in 2009, 2012 and 2013 in MotoGP. This would, therefore, be a timely scenario where to get some good sensations on the back of his wild RC213V. 

Yamaha’s main threats: Quartararo and Viñales

Fabio Quartararo is one of the main candidates to fight Márquez off for the win at the Japanese MotoGP 2019. After losing at the duel he held with the Spaniard in the last meters of the Thai MotoGP, the rookie is eager to take his back. Defeating him before all of the Honda managers and fans would be perfect revenge.

The French driver from Petronas SRT, currently one of the toughest opponents on the grid, as Marc himself has acknowledged, will be pursuing his third podium in four races, after his second places in San Marino and Thailand.

In Yamaha’s official team we will be keeping a close eye on Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales. The pilot form Rosas will want to continue his victorious strike after having visited the podium in three of his last four appearances.

Dovi and Rins, better than the rest

The second classified in the standings, the Desmosedici #4, Andrea Dovizioso, will be after his ninth podium of the year at the Japanese MotoGP 2019. The pilot from Forli, winner in Motegi in 2018, seems to have secured his runner-up place this season for a second consecutive year.

A bittersweet place to be for a talented pilot, eclipsed by an even greater one, Márquez. During the present season, he has only been able to defeat the Spaniard in Qatar and Italy, and it doesn’t seem that he is going to do it again this Sunday.

Third on the standings is Álex Rins (Suzuki). Just like Dovi, the pilot form Barcelona wants a podium. He hasn’t had such an honour since his sensational victory in Great Britain where he defeated Marquez at the finish line. The other member of the Japanese team, Joan Mir, will continue with its formidable learning process in the premier class.

Images of ‘Japanese MotoGP 2019 Preview’: MotoGP Twitter.