Last updated: September 05, 2026
The 2013 Japanese MotoGP at Twin Ring Motegi produced one of the most important races of the 2013 MotoGP season. Jorge Lorenzo started from pole position and converted it into a crucial victory, defeating championship leader Marc Márquez and Dani Pedrosa.
The Japanese Grand Prix was the 17th and penultimate round of the 2013 MotoGP World Championship. With the title battle approaching its final stage, Lorenzo needed a strong result to keep his championship hopes alive.
The race was held in difficult weather conditions, with rain affecting the weekend and forcing changes to the qualifying schedule. Lorenzo handled the conditions particularly well and eventually won the 24-lap MotoGP race.
The Japanese round came after a season packed with dramatic races, including the 2013 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca and the 2013 Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang.
Event: Japanese Grand Prix
Championship: 2013 MotoGP World Championship
Round: 17 of 18
Date: October 27, 2013
Circuit: Twin Ring Motegi
Winner: Jorge Lorenzo
Second: Marc Márquez
Third: Dani Pedrosa
Pole position: Jorge Lorenzo
Moto2 winner: Pol Espargaró
Moto3 winner: Álex Márquez
- Twin Ring Motegi Circuit
- History of Twin Ring Motegi
- 2013 MotoGP Qualifying
- Lorenzo Masters Wet Motegi
- 2013 Japanese MotoGP Race
- MotoGP Race Results
- Championship Battle
- Moto2 Race
- Moto3 Race
- Ben Spies Announces Retirement
- Motegi Race Records
- Why the 2013 Japanese GP Mattered
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related MotoGP Articles
Twin Ring Motegi Circuit
Twin Ring Motegi is one of Japan's most important motorsport venues. The circuit was built by Honda in 1997 and combines a road course with a large oval track.
The venue became a regular part of the MotoGP calendar and hosted its first MotoGP race in 2000. It is also home to the Honda Collection Hall, which displays a large collection of historic Honda motorcycles, cars and racing machinery.
The Motegi road course is known for heavy braking zones, acceleration sections and several opportunities for riders to attack under braking. These characteristics make engine performance, braking stability and traction particularly important.
| Circuit Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.801 km / 2.983 miles |
| Width | 15 metres |
| Left corners | 6 |
| Right corners | 8 |
| Longest straight | 762 metres / 0.473 miles |
| Constructed | 1997 |
| Modified | 1997 |
| 2013 MotoGP race distance | 24 laps / 115.2 km / 71.6 miles |
History of Twin Ring Motegi
Honda developed Twin Ring Motegi as a major motorsport facility capable of hosting different forms of racing. The name reflects the original combination of two distinct circuits, the road course and the oval.
Motegi quickly became an important Japanese venue for MotoGP. The circuit's technical layout places significant demands on braking and acceleration, while its position in the Japanese countryside gives the event a distinctive atmosphere.
Dani Pedrosa won the 2012 MotoGP race at Motegi, while Jorge Lorenzo's strong performances at the circuit made the Japanese Grand Prix an important event in the championship battle that followed.
For readers new to the premier motorcycle racing championship, our MotoGP basics guide provides useful background on the championship and its race format.
2013 MotoGP Qualifying at Motegi
Qualifying for the 2013 Japanese Grand Prix was heavily affected by poor weather. Friday practice was cancelled because of the conditions, leading officials to introduce a special 75-minute qualifying session on Saturday.
Jorge Lorenzo adapted best to the wet conditions and secured pole position with a lap of 1:53.471. Marc Márquez was second, while Nicky Hayden produced an excellent performance to qualify third for Ducati.
The qualifying session came during a critical stage of the season, following the previous 2013 MotoGP round and with the championship battle between Lorenzo and Márquez entering its final phase.
| Pos. | Rider | Team | Qualifying Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jorge Lorenzo | Yamaha | 1:53.471 |
| 2 | Marc Márquez | Honda | 1:54.129 |
| 3 | Nicky Hayden | Ducati | 1:54.539 |
| 4 | Dani Pedrosa | Honda | 1:54.542 |
| 5 | Valentino Rossi | Yamaha | 1:54.732 |
| 6 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati | 1:55.036 |
| 7 | Álvaro Bautista | Honda | 1:55.135 |
| 8 | Stefan Bradl | Honda | 1:55.610 |
| 9 | Aleix Espargaró | ART | 1:55.719 |
| 10 | Yonny Hernández | Ducati | 1:55.998 |
The table highlights the leading qualifiers from the original race report.
Lorenzo Masters Wet Motegi for Crucial Pole
Jorge Lorenzo delivered one of the standout qualifying performances of the weekend. With the track wet, the Yamaha rider established a clear benchmark and took pole position.
Marc Márquez qualified second, putting the championship leader alongside Lorenzo on the front row. Nicky Hayden's third place was also significant because it gave Ducati a strong starting position.
Valentino Rossi qualified fifth, while Dani Pedrosa started fourth. The qualifying result promised a fascinating race, especially because Lorenzo needed to take maximum points from the weekend.
2013 Japanese MotoGP Race
Jorge Lorenzo made the most of pole position and controlled the race to take a vital victory. He completed the 24 laps in 42:34.291.
Marc Márquez finished second, 3.188 seconds behind Lorenzo, while Dani Pedrosa completed the podium another 1.404 seconds later. Lorenzo's victory was his seventh MotoGP win of the 2013 season.
The result was particularly important for the championship because Márquez arrived at Motegi with an 18-point advantage over Lorenzo. After Lorenzo's victory, the gap was reduced to 13 points heading into the final round.
This was another important chapter in the 2013 season, following the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, where Marc Márquez was one of the major stories of the championship.
2013 Japanese MotoGP Race Results
| Pos. | Rider | Points | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jorge Lorenzo | 25 | 42:34.291 |
| 2 | Marc Márquez | 20 | +3.188 |
| 3 | Dani Pedrosa | 16 | +4.592 |
| 4 | Álvaro Bautista | 13 | +19.755 |
| 5 | Stefan Bradl | 11 | +22.810 |
| 6 | Valentino Rossi | 10 | +24.637 |
| 7 | Cal Crutchlow | 9 | +27.496 |
| 8 | Bradley Smith | 8 | +30.969 |
| 9 | Nicky Hayden | 7 | +37.010 |
| 10 | Andrea Dovizioso | 6 | +42.944 |
| 11 | Katsuyuki Nakasuga | 5 | +53.345 |
| 12 | Colin Edwards | 4 | +1:03.213 |
| 13 | Randy de Puniet | 3 | +1:06.840 |
| 14 | Andrea Iannone | 2 | +1:08.218 |
| 15 | Yonny Hernández | 1 | +1:18.240 |
| 16 | Héctor Barberá | 0 | +1:19.108 |
| 17 | Hiroshi Aoyama | 0 | +1:21.174 |
| 18 | Danilo Petrucci | 0 | +1:30.546 |
| 19 | Michael Laverty | 0 | +2:23.358 |
| 20 | Claudio Corti | 0 | 1 lap |
| 21 | Damian Cudlin | 0 | 1 lap |
| 22 | Bryan Staring | 0 | 1 lap |
Lorenzo Keeps the Championship Fight Alive
The biggest story from Motegi was the championship battle between Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Márquez.
Lorenzo's victory reduced Márquez's championship advantage to 13 points with only one race remaining. The result meant that the championship would be decided at the final round in Valencia.
Lorenzo had now won seven races during the 2013 season. His performance at Motegi ensured that the title fight remained open until the final weekend.
The road to Motegi can also be followed through our coverage of the 2013 MotoGP Round 14, the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, and the 2013 MotoGP Round 16.
Those races help explain how the championship developed before Lorenzo arrived at Motegi with one of his last opportunities to close the points gap.
Álvaro Bautista Matches His Best 2013 Result
Álvaro Bautista finished fourth at Motegi, matching his best result of the 2013 season at that stage.
His fourth-place finish also matched his results from the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca and MotorLand Aragón. Bautista's consistency helped him remain sixth in the championship standings.
Moto2 Race: Pol Espargaró Takes Victory and the Title
The Moto2 race produced an important championship moment of its own. Pol Espargaró won the Japanese Grand Prix and secured the 2013 Moto2 World Championship.
Mika Kallio finished second, while Thomas Lüthi completed the podium. Espargaró's victory made Motegi a memorable weekend for the Spanish rider.
| Pos. | Rider | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pol Espargaró | Winner |
| 2 | Mika Kallio | +1.344 |
| 3 | Thomas Lüthi | +3.379 |
| 4 | Xavier Simeon | +8.420 |
| 5 | Julián Simón | +10.315 |
| 6 | Nicolás Terol | +11.364 |
| 7 | Alex de Angelis | +12.718 |
| 8 | Dominique Aegerter | +15.609 |
| 9 | Takaaki Nakagami | +18.414 |
| 10 | Mattia Pasini | +20.679 |
Moto2 Motegi Records
| Record | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Mika Kallio | 2:01.248 |
| Fastest lap | Pol Espargaró | 1:52.028 |
| Circuit record | Pol Espargaró | 1:51.100 |
| Best lap | Pol Espargaró | 1:50.886 |
Moto3 Race: Álex Márquez Takes His First Victory
Álex Márquez won the Moto3 race at Motegi after a very close battle with Maverick Viñales. The winning margin was just 0.027 seconds.
Jonas Folger finished third, while Miguel Oliveira and Romano Fenati completed the top five.
| Pos. | Rider | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Álex Márquez | Winner |
| 2 | Maverick Viñales | +0.027 |
| 3 | Jonas Folger | +7.750 |
| 4 | Miguel Oliveira | +15.889 |
| 5 | Romano Fenati | +18.323 |
| 6 | Jack Miller | +18.432 |
| 7 | John McPhee | +18.439 |
| 8 | Niklas Ajo | +25.608 |
| 9 | Niccolò Antonelli | +25.950 |
| 10 | Brad Binder | +32.933 |
Moto3 Motegi Records
| Record | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Álex Rins | 2:09.387 |
| Fastest lap | Álex Márquez | 1:58.380 |
| Circuit record | Álex Márquez | 1:58.380 |
| Best lap | Danny Kent | 1:58.371 |
Ben Spies Announces Retirement
One of the major off-track stories surrounding the Japanese Grand Prix was Ben Spies' decision to retire from motorcycle racing.
Spies had endured an injury-plagued 2013 season and announced that he would step away from racing. His decision brought an early end to the career of a rider who had competed successfully in both the Superbike World Championship and MotoGP.
His retirement was another notable story from a weekend already filled with championship drama.
Hayden Gives Ducati a Front-Row Start
Nicky Hayden produced one of the strongest qualifying performances of his final season with Ducati by taking third place on the grid.
It was his best MotoGP qualifying result since the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. Hayden's front-row position gave Ducati a valuable opportunity in difficult conditions.
2013 Japanese MotoGP Records at Motegi
| Record | Rider | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pole lap | Jorge Lorenzo | 1:53.471 | 152.3 km/h |
| Fastest race lap | Jorge Lorenzo | 1:45.736 | 163.4 km/h |
| Circuit record | Dani Pedrosa | 1:45.589 | 163.6 km/h |
| Best lap | Jorge Lorenzo | 1:44.969 | 164.6 km/h |
Key Moments from the 2013 Japanese Grand Prix
- Jorge Lorenzo took pole position in difficult wet conditions.
- Nicky Hayden qualified third for Ducati.
- Jorge Lorenzo won the 24-lap MotoGP race.
- Marc Márquez finished second and retained the championship lead.
- Dani Pedrosa completed the MotoGP podium.
- Lorenzo reduced the championship gap to 13 points.
- Pol Espargaró won Moto2 and secured the Moto2 world title.
- Álex Márquez won Moto3 by just 0.027 seconds.
- Ben Spies announced his retirement from racing.
Why the 2013 Japanese GP Mattered
The 2013 Japanese Grand Prix was much more than another race victory for Jorge Lorenzo. It kept the MotoGP World Championship alive until the final round.
Lorenzo entered Motegi needing to close the gap to Márquez. His pole position and race victory delivered exactly the result he needed. With only 13 points separating the two riders, everything was still possible at Valencia.
The final championship decision came two weeks later in Spain. Our detailed article on the 2013 Valencia MotoGP and the championship title decider continues the story.
The earlier stages of the championship can also be explored through our coverage of the 2013 MotoGP Round 14, the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, and 2013 MotoGP Round 16.
For a broader look at the championship and race format, readers can also visit our MotoGP basics and motorcycle Grand Prix guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2013 Japanese MotoGP?
Jorge Lorenzo won the 2013 Japanese MotoGP at Twin Ring Motegi.
Who finished second at the 2013 Japanese MotoGP?
Marc Márquez finished second, 3.188 seconds behind Lorenzo.
Who finished third at Motegi in 2013?
Dani Pedrosa finished third, completing the MotoGP podium.
Who took pole position for the 2013 Japanese MotoGP?
Jorge Lorenzo took pole position with a lap of 1:53.471 in wet qualifying conditions.
How many laps was the 2013 Japanese MotoGP?
The MotoGP race was 24 laps, covering 115.2 kilometres.
Who won the 2013 Moto2 race at Motegi?
Pol Espargaró won the Moto2 race and secured the 2013 Moto2 World Championship.
Who won the 2013 Moto3 race at Motegi?
Álex Márquez won the Moto3 race after beating Maverick Viñales by 0.027 seconds.
How close was the 2013 MotoGP championship after Motegi?
Marc Márquez led Jorge Lorenzo by 13 points after the Japanese Grand Prix, setting up a championship decider at Valencia.
Related MotoGP Articles
Final Thoughts
Jorge Lorenzo's victory at the 2013 Japanese Grand Prix was one of the defining performances of his championship challenge. He mastered difficult conditions, took pole position and controlled the race to collect 25 valuable points.
Marc Márquez remained in control of the championship, but Lorenzo's Motegi victory ensured that the title would not be decided until the final race of the season.
The Japanese Grand Prix therefore remains an important chapter in the history of the 2013 MotoGP World Championship, while Motegi continues to stand as one of Japan's most significant motorcycle racing venues.