Mandalika misfortunes: Marc Marquez ready to turn the page

Just 11 points scored across his previous four visits, and yet to finish a Sunday race in Indonesia, the #93 is ready to rewrite the story

Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) and the Indonesian GP have had a difficult past since joining the calendar, with Marquez yet to see the chequered flag on Sunday at the venue. The pace, however, has always been there. And with the #93 continuing his remarkable form in 2026, could this finally be the year that he puts his Mandalika misfortunes behind him as he chases the World Championship lead?

A DIFFICULT START TO MANDALIKA

The Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit joined the calendar in 2022, offering a new challenge, a stunning backdrop and a brand-new setting for MotoGP. Although an incredible venue, Marquez’s first visit ended in frustration, qualifying P15 before the real headlines were made in the morning Warm Up following a huge Turn 7 highside. The crash halted his weekend, forcing him to sit out the Indonesian GP and the following round in Argentina.

A year later, Marquez made a welcome return, but sadly the same couldn’t be said for his result. Crashing on both Saturday and Sunday, he ended the weekend with no points scored. 2024 did bring a change of fortunes, with the #93 picking up bronze in Saturday’s Sprint and scoring seven points before a mechanical issue ruled him out of contention the following day.

RECENTLY: LAST TIME OUT IN LOMBOK

Fast forward to 2025: refreshed, recharged and now the newly crowned MotoGP World Champion. Heading from the third row, Marquez clinched P6 after a Long Lap on Saturday, with his race pace pointing towards a positive Sunday. However, a Lap 1 incident with Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) brought an unfortunate end to Marquez’s weekend and ultimately his season.

Now, with six wins in the last nine rounds, Marquez heads into the Indonesian GP in incredible form, looking to turn the tide on his Lombok luck. Entering this weekend chasing MotoGP title number eight and further records as he attempts to overcome the biggest points deficit in MotoGP history. There are plenty of reasons to be excited, with signs pointing towards a positive weekend as our flyaway tour continues.

We may be excited for this weekend, but Marquez remains grounded: "Of course I've never finished a race there; I have been a bit unlucky. Last year in the Sprint, I didn’t feel bad after the Long Lap Penalty, so let’s see. We need to understand what we can do, but step by step I’m feeling better, and since Aragon, the feeling on the bike has been great."

Can 2026 finally be the year that Marquez strikes gold in Mandalika? Join us this weekend as the #93 looks to rewrite his Indonesian GP story!

Enter your VideoPass era

Watch every session LIVE or OnDemand with MotoGP VideoPass, now 75% OFF!

Subscribe Now!
Get the official MotoGP™ Newsletter!
Create a MotoGP™ account now and gain access to exclusive content, such as the MotoGP™ Newsletter, which features GP Reports, incredible videos and other interesting information about our sport.