Marc Marquez says he would rather not be in Qatar ahead of MotoGP title bid

Marc Marquez could clinch his eighth MotoGP world championship in Qatar on Sunday, but said he would prefer to be elsewhere given the situation in the Middle East. Yamaha has withdrawn from the event citing company-wide travel restrictions, while the other four manufacturers and nine teams have arrived as planned at the Lusail International Circuit.

Marquez said he had taken the latest possible flight in and would leave on the earliest flight out, adding that the team was ready to race. He needs to outscore Jorge Martin by 30 points over the weekend and also gain ground on Marco Bezzecchi to secure the title on Sunday night, otherwise the battle continues to Portimao and potentially Valencia. Martin, who fractured his right wrist at Phillip Island, must pass a Friday medical check before returning. Alex Marquez will miss the weekend after shoulder surgery and will be replaced at Gresini by Iker Lecuona.