Here is the thing about this season: we are staring down the closest-ever title race after 16 rounds as the championship touches down on the island of Lombok. The Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit is hosting the Indonesian GP, and the paddock brings plenty of talking points alongside the on-track action.
Looking ahead to future weekends, a new format arrives for 2027. We are getting a separate Sprint qualifying and a system where all riders go through Q1 for Grand Prix qualifying, meaning two different grids each weekend. The big names have already weighed in with their first thoughts on these upcoming weekend changes.
Away from the tarmac, Mataram went completely gangbusters for the annual rider parade frenzy. MotoGP's biggest names, title contenders, and home-heroes got up close and personal with some of the most passionate fans of the entire season.
Back on the sporting side, the championship leader Jorge Martin arrives hoping for success after his advantage shrunk in Japan. Can he pull off a win in Indonesia? Meanwhile, the reigning World Champion Marc Marquez looks to turn around his previous misfortune at the Indonesian GP.
Then there is Marco Bezzecchi, who is looking to be the man of the moment at Mandalika 12 months after he blundered on Sunday in 2025. Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, and Marco Bezzecchi kicked off their weekend in the Thursday press conference, putting all the talking behind them.
Thankfully, the wait is almost over. The action gets underway on Friday at 09:00 local time (UTC +8), and these beasts hit the track once more.
