What if Aprilia had let four points slip away that could now prove crucial in the title race? While Jorge Martin is trying to salvage his last chances against Marc Marquez, a decision made at the Indonesian Grand Prix is coming back to haunt the Noale-based manufacturer. Raul Fernandez could have relinquished his second place to his compatriot. No team orders were given. And, according to Spanish journalist Mela Chércoles, this lack of instructions even surprised those close to the championship leader.
Four points dropped in Indonesia: Was Aprilia too fair-play?
At Mandalika, Raul Fernandez was in second place ahead of Jorge Martin . For Aprilia , the calculation was simple: asking the TrackHouse rider to let the title contender pass would have allowed Martin to gain four additional points. But no instructions were given.
The Italian manufacturer had nevertheless emphasized the need for its four riders to work together, especially as Martin tried to fend off Marquez 's comeback . Aprilia therefore prioritized Fernandez 's sporting freedom over direct intervention in the championship fight. A respectable decision in principle, but one whose wisdom is now being debated.
Even Marquez's entourage didn't understand!
On Hospitality Motociclismo , Mela Chércoles shared a particularly revealing tidbit. " Someone close to Marc Marquez told me they were surprised that in Indonesia, Raul Fernandez didn't receive the signal allowing Martin to move from third to second place ."
The journalist clarifies that this is the testimony of someone close to the Ducati rider , and not an official statement from Marquez . But the analysis goes further. " With those four extra points, he might not have needed to be so aggressive in Australia , since the gap would have been smaller ."
A few days after Indonesia, Martín fractured his wrist during the Australian Sprint. This injury would jeopardize the rest of his season. However, there's no evidence to suggest that four extra points would have altered his riding style or prevented his crash.
The comparison highlights above all the sensitivity of a championship where every missed opportunity can become a regret.
Martin injured, Marquez with 44 points: the title slips away from the Aprilia box
After fracturing his wrist in Australia, Martin attempted to return to competition in Malaysia. But the Spaniard ultimately had to withdraw before qualifying. Meanwhile, Marquez won the Sepang Grand Prix and extended his lead to 44 points.
With 74 points still available according to the presented count, Martin retains a mathematical chance, but himself acknowledges that his title prospects are now very compromised.
The situation is difficult to decipher in Noale: Aprilia has a competitive machine, but its main championship contender is now battling his own physical condition. Marco Bezzecchi , also lagging behind, no longer seems capable of easily reversing the trend.
Marking and instructions: a philosophy that disturbs
When previously questioned about team orders, Marquez defended a radically different approach. According to him, a rider only needs such assistance when he is not fast enough to beat his teammates.
This position was facilitated by his dominance at Ducati , where he regularly finished ahead of the other Ducati riders. At Aprilia , the situation was different: the TrackHouse riders could directly influence Martin 's chances . This is precisely what makes the choice of Noale so strategically questionable.
So, what do we remember?
- Aprilia: no instructions given to Fernández to concede four points to Martín in Indonesia.
- Márquez's entourage: a surprise reported by Mela Chércoles, without an official statement from the rider.
- Championship: Martin is 44 points behind and has to deal with his injury.
Aprilia didn't lose the championship by four points. But they may have missed an opportunity to make things more difficult for Márquez. And in a season where the smallest detail can decide a world title, yesterday's sportsmanship can become tomorrow's regret.
