Jorge Martin cautious over Qatar return as Marquez holds MotoGP title chance

Jorge Martin says he is unsure how his body will respond to riding a MotoGP bike a week after withdrawing from the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Spaniard broke his wrist in Australia and was not fully recovered to complete the weekend at Sepang, where he rode on Friday but pulled out on Saturday. He will attempt a second return from injury at the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend.

Martin said it was a shame not to continue at Sepang, but that having the chance to try was an achievement in itself. He has returned to Spain for treatment and will begin working with Aprilia from Thursday. His motivation for the rushed comeback is his mathematical chance at the title, which could be decided at round 20 in Qatar, where Marc Marquez could win it.

Marco Bezzecchi had a mixed Malaysian weekend, finishing third in the Sprint but sixth in the race after a last-lap error. He said he is looking forward to Qatar, a track he likes, and aims to start well and finish as strongly as possible.