Marquez Admits to 'Selfish' Stunt-Double Act Before Japanese GP

Marc Marquez has confessed to one of the cheekier deceptions of the MotoGP season — sending a stunt double out in his place for a pre-race go-kart event at Motegi. After winning Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix to slash Jorge Martin's championship lead to two points, the Ducati star admitted the switch was "selfish but necessary." The riders' go-kart outing, won by Somkiat Chantra ahead of Pedro Acosta, is a traditional part of the Japanese GP build-up. But with the title race at fever pitch, Marquez decided his energy was better spent elsewhere. He told his team he needed ice for the warm-up instead — and, as he revealed, "one of the team members came out and said it'd be cool if a stunt double turned up." The Spaniard also admitted he had already received "a telling-off" over the episode. With six rounds remaining and just two points separating him from Martin, few will begrudge him the focus — the stunt double certainly didn't slow him down on Sunday.