More than 2100 days after he was last crowned MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) is on the cusp of taking back the throne. Since that day in 2019, when he celebrated his sixth MotoGP title, there have been multiple surgeries, three different injuries, two changes of team and one change of factory. For some, the question was not when he’d get back to the top, but if. As we head into the 2025 Motul Grand Prix of Japan, that question has had resounding answer after resounding answer. On the verge of the greatest comeback in sporting history, it’s now almost a formality: 185 points clear means 2025 World Champion. On the way in, he’s on 182. So it’ll be Sunday if he does it…

THE FINAL STAND: Alex Marquez sole remaining rival

The only rider who can now deny Marc Marquez that crown is Alex Marquez. The only other rider to have won more than one Grand Prix this year and enjoying his best season ever – earning himself a factory bike at BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP for 2026 too – the #73 shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s also a fan of Motegi, having taken his very first GP win in Japan in 2013, although in MotoGP he’s had some bad luck and trouble. Aside from being the only remaining rival for the MotoGP crown, he can also take his own title: that of Best Independent Team rider. Currently 150 points ahead in that standing, the magic number is more than 185 – 185 exactly isn’t quite enough.

THE FIGHT FOR THIRD: Bagnaia vs Bezzecchi?

It’s VR46 Academy friendly fire in the battle for P3 as it stands. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – who did the double here last year – is now just eight points ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), and the momentum appears to be going the way of the latter in 2025. But Motegi could shake that up again – and it could prove chance for Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) to make some gains.

The Spaniard is now 41 points off Bez, but last year was a headliner in Japan – even if he didn’t convert that pole in the end. This year, he’s no rookie. Fellow KTMs Brad Binder (Red bull KTM Factory Racing), Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and his teammate Maverick Viñales, the latter still recovering from his shoulder injury, could be ones to watch too as the RC16 has a solid CV in Japan.

Further up the table though, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team pairing of Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio are hot on Acosta’s tail – and they’re split by a single point. Can they make inroads into the battle ahead and gain on the #37 – or even more – as the unpredictable flyways begin? Another rider looking to make ground on the flyways is reigning Champion Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) – although down the order, he’s now starting to make life complicated for those ahead of him as he gets back in the groove and learns his way around the RS-GP.

DEBUTANT vs DIABLO: another dynamic in the standings

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) would probably be the first hand up if there was a vote on rewarding points for qualifying. The Frenchman was back on the front row at Misano but then having a tougher time once the lights went out, something he and Yamaha continue to work on. He’ll be an interesting watch at Motegi, where hard braking is the name of the game. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), meanwhile, is still a few points ahead of the #20 as he looks to move forward again, and he’ll have an eye on fellow rookie Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) as the Japanese rider races on home turf for the first time in MotoGP. He’s in form and will want to keep the upper hand on teammate Raul Fernandez – as well as make a big impression on home turf. That’s true of plenty of riders gearing up to battle on Honda and Yamaha home ground.

HOME GLORY: Honda vs Yamaha

Quartararo will be looking to lead Yamaha’s charge, and teammate Alex Rins and Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP pairing Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira will have plenty of motivation on factory home turf – and at Honda’s own track. Miller has won at Motegi with Ducati in a lights-to-flag masterclass and will want to underline Yamaha’s faith in him. Oliveira likely wants to show them what they’re missing. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda LCR) will want another point. And there’s a whole extra squabble to settle for the Hondas leading the way, with some interesting dynamics.

Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) is top Honda, in the top ten in the Championship, and signed up into the new regulations in 2027. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) is making some serious strides as his form continues to impress on his return from mid-season injury. Teammate Joan Mir continues to try and escape bad luck and will want to prove a point on home Honda turf. And then there’s wildcard Takaaki Nakagami – making it two Japanese riders on the grid at Motegi for the first time in a few years. Everyone has a point to prove and what better place than Honda’s very own track?

MotoGP is about to witness history made in its ranks as Marc Marquez targets of MotoGP title number seven. History bigger than the sport - so tune in for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan to see if the #93 can get back on top of the world 2184 days later.