Si and J have flown over for the atmosphere, action and incredible motorcycle culture of Japan, travelling over to experience the 2026 Motegi MotoGP from the ground… Words & Photos: Simon Naish, Justine Crump
BikeReview’s Si and J have swapped the Australian Spring for the atmosphere, action and incredible motorcycle culture of Japan, travelling across from Australia to experience the 2026 Motul Grand Prix Of Japan from the ground. Check out their shots from the first days.
Alongside covering the racing and soaking up everything that makes a Japanese Grand Prix weekend so special, the pair have also made time to visit the impressive Motegi Honda Mobility Resort and Museum, taking in some of the history and machinery that helped shape the motorcycle world. We will have a feature on that soon.
It’s been a busy few days of racing, riding, travelling, eating and generally making the most of being in Japan, with plenty of behind-the-scenes moments and plenty of laughs along the way. Our Friday and Saturday galleries capture some of what Si and J have been getting up to as they bring the Motegi experience to BikeReview readers.
But this is only part of the story. We’ll soon be publishing a full BikeReview Japan and Motegi trip feature, taking you beyond the racetrack and into the practical side of making the trip yourself. We’ll cover everything from flights and accommodation to transport, costs, getting around Japan, the MotoGP experience itself and some of the places worth visiting along the way. So if a trip to Motegi – or Japan more broadly – is on your bucket list, keep an eye on BikeReview for the full guide coming soon.
Saturday Brief, Marquez Takes Sprint, Moriera Makes History
Saturday at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan delivered plenty of drama at Mobility Resort Motegi, with Marc Marquez taking victory in the MotoGP Sprint while Diogo Moreira enjoyed a breakthrough result and the Australian contingent battled for their respective positions across the weekend.
Pic: MotoGP Press
Marquez made the perfect start to the Sprint, grabbing the holeshot as championship leader Jorge Martin tried to go around the outside. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider quickly established control at the front, while drama unfolded behind almost immediately. Alex Marquez made contact with Pedro Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio at Turn 3, with all three riders crashing out. Alex was later handed a double Long Lap penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Read our 2026 MotoGP Coverage here…
At the front, Marquez gradually built his advantage over Martin, while Enea Bastianini moved past Marco Bezzecchi for third. Home hero Ai Ogura and rookie Diogo Moreira then joined the fight, with Moreira making a superb move to climb through the order. As the Sprint entered its closing stages, Martin began to close on Marquez but was also coming under pressure from Bastianini and Moreira.
Pic: Jack Miller FB
The final drama came after the chequered flag. Both Martin and Bastianini were handed one-position penalties for track-limit infringements on the final lap. That promoted Moreira to second and gave the Brazilian his first MotoGP Sprint podium, while Martin was classified third. Bastianini was forced back to fourth, ahead of Ogura and Bezzecchi. Johann Zarco and Raul Fernandez followed, with Fabio Quartararo taking ninth and the final championship point.
Moto2 qualifying was equally tight, with Izan Guevara securing his fourth pole position of the season. The title contender bounced back from a difficult opening run to post the fastest lap and put himself in prime position for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Filip Salač claimed second despite an early Turn 1 crash, while championship leader Manuel Gonzalez completed the front row in third. Daniel Holgado, Tony Arbolino and David Alonso filled the next three positions, with just 0.252 seconds separating the top six.
Pic: MotoGP Press
In Moto3, David Almansa continued his incredible qualifying form by claiming his seventh pole position of 2026 and setting a new all-time Motegi lap record. His 1:54.572 edged Brian Uriarte by just 0.045 seconds, with Alvaro Carpe completing the front row. Championship leader Maximo Quiles qualified fourth, while Matteo Bertelle and David Muñoz rounded out the second row.
For the Australians, Joel Kelso and Jack Miller remain firmly in the spotlight as the weekend heads towards Sunday’s Grand Prix, with both riders looking to make the most of race day at one of Japan’s most iconic circuits.
It’s been a huge Saturday at Motegi, but the main event is still to come. BikeReview’s full Motegi weekend report, including all the Aussie action and the Sunday MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 races, will be published Monday. Stay tuned.
Gallery One – Motul Grand Prix Of Japan BTS
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