Aleix Espargaro returns to MotoGP action at Mandalika as Joan Mir’s replacement, while the title battle provides the larger focus of his weekend. Jorge Martin arrives with only a two-point advantage over Marc Marquez, setting up a close contest at the top of the standings.

Espargaro believes Martin’s campaign deserves special recognition because his rival is Marc Marquez. In Espargaro’s assessment, Marquez has never lost a head-to-head title fight in his career, making Martin’s performance “astonishing”. He also welcomed Aprilia’s position in the championship fight.

Espargaro was Aprilia’s “Captain” during the manufacturer’s rise through the MotoGP order. He stepped away from full-time racing at the end of 2024 and then moved into an HRC test-riding role. Looking back at Aprilia’s progress, he said the company had been at the back of the field when he began working with it in the championship; it is now challenging Marquez for the title.

The Mandalika weekend effectively begins a six-round championship battle. Martin, the 2024 world champion with Pramac, says his pace and confidence with the bike are improving and that the team has an answer for every problem. Even so, he identifies scoring strong points as the priority, since anything can happen in MotoGP.

Martin missed last year’s Mandalika event because of injury. Bezzecchi had been particularly strong for Aprilia before a mistake led to his race collision with Marquez. Marquez, who races for Ducati and is described as a seven-time MotoGP champion, remains Martin’s principal title rival. Espargaro has made his preference clear: he wants Martin to win, both because they are close friends and because Aprilia remains an important part of his career.