Indonesian GP: Alex Marquez aims to repeat his podium finish, while Marc fights to end the Mandalika curse.

Ducati Lenovo rider Marc Marquez and Gresini Racing rider Alex Marquez will return to contest the Indonesian Grand Prix at the Mandalika Circuit, Lombok this Sunday. The two brothers arrive with very different momentum when reviewing their results from last season's Indonesian GP main race.

Alex Marquez holds positive memories of Mandalika after taking third place at the 2025 Indonesian Grand Prix. By contrast, Marc was forced into early retirement after colliding with Marco Bezzecchi on the very first lap.

That result earned Alex a podium finish at Mandalika. He had even been running in second position before Pedro Acosta reclaimed the position shortly before the chequered flag.

This year, Alex is aiming to repeat this success. The 30-year-old rider confirmed his preparations for the Indonesian GP have proceeded without issues, and he has targeted another podium finish.

"Everything is running smoothly. Our preparations have gone very well; we made sure to arrive here in peak physical condition with full energy. Everything has gone according to plan so far, now we will work to find strong pace at the circuit", Alex stated in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Alex is not only aiming to be competitive again. Last season's podium experience is the exact target he intends to deliver when Gresini Racing competes at this year's Indonesian Grand Prix.

"Yes, we will push hard for good speed and repeat that podium result from last year. That is our clear target", he noted.

Even with this positive recent experience, Alex acknowledges that Mandalika is not a favourable circuit for his team. For this reason he is maintaining a realistic outlook ahead of the race weekend.

"We are aware this may not be the ideal track for our package, but we will give maximum effort to find good pace and fight for another podium finish", the younger Marquez brother stated.

Meanwhile, Marc arrives at Mandalika with high confidence following a perfect weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Ducati Lenovo rider secured victory in both the Sprint Race and main Grand Prix, collecting a full maximum haul of 37 points across the weekend.

Despite this form, Mandalika has remained an unforgiving circuit for Marc. Since the track joined the MotoGP calendar in 2022, Marc has never once completed a full main Indonesian Grand Prix. Last season provided one of the most dramatic examples of this run of bad luck, when his race ended on the opening lap.

Marc had started the 2025 Indonesian Grand Prix from 9th on the grid. On the first lap he was caught in an incident with Marco Bezzecchi at Turn 7, after the Aprilia rider struck the rear of Marc's Ducati. Both riders crashed out and were unable to continue the race.

This year Marc returns to Mandalika with a far more competitive bike package. He has reported strong comfort with his machine since the Aragon round, and is hopeful the Ducati's characteristics will perform well on the Indonesian circuit.

"I am looking forward to assessing how our bike performs here in Indonesia. But overall, ever since the Aragon race weekend I have felt extremely comfortable with my motorcycle setup", Marc Marquez stated in comments published by Ducati Lenovo on Monday.

His victory in Japan has kept Marc firmly in World Championship title contention. The number 93 rider currently sits second in the interim Standings with 331 points, only 2 points adrift of championship leader Jorge Martin.

The strong result in Japan also gives Marc valuable momentum heading into a circuit that has never yet seen him complete a full main race.

"I am really happy with the 37 points we collected last weekend, that was always our core priority. It was a very tough race, especially the opening laps running behind Jorge Martín", Marc commented regarding his Japanese GP performance.

This Marquez brother duel at Mandalika follows two very different narratives. Alex arrives looking to repeat his 2025 third place podium result, while Marc is fighting to end his unlucky run of failed finishes at the Indonesian Grand Prix main race.