Honda’s Marc Marquez won his third MotoGP championship earlier today with a victory at Motegi. Marquez clinched the title with three races remaining thanks, in part, to crashes by both of his closest rivals, Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Marquez becomes the youngest rider in the history of the sport to earn five World championships (in addition to his three MotoGP titles, Marquez won the 125 GP title in 2010 and the Moto2 title in 2012).
Filling out the podium today were Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) in second and Maverick Viñales (Suzuki) in third. Here is a statement issued by Marquez after the race.
“It’s incredible! Before the race I didn’t expect to be Champion, and I said that here it would be impossible. However, when I saw that Rossi was out of the race, I decided to push hard for the victory. I was riding my hardest, and when there were three laps to go, I read on my pit board that Lorenzo was also out; on that same lap, I made mistakes in four or five corners, as it was difficult to stay focused! I’m very happy because this title is very special considering some of the crashes I had last year, and also because it came at Motegi, Honda’s home. Honda has worked so hard this year, and you could see the fruits of that effort also at this track, where we’ve struggled in the past. I myself also improved during the season; for instance, I learned how to better use the front Michelin tyre. It has been a demanding year, but a fantastic one. It’s great for my team, and of course I don’t want to forget my grandmother, who passed away this year and would be very happy with this World Championship. Now we can just enjoy it and go into the last three races with maybe a more ‘Marc Marquez’ style.”
Check out full race results below:
| Pos. | Points | Num. | Rider | Team | Bike | Km/h | Time/Gap |
| 1 | 25 | 93 | Marc MARQUEZ | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 162.3 | 42’34.610 |
| 2 | 20 | 4 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | Ducati Team | Ducati | 162.1 | +2.992 |
| 3 | 16 | 25 | Maverick VIÑALES | Team SUZUKI ECSTAR | Suzuki | 162.1 | +4.104 |
| 4 | 13 | 41 | Aleix ESPARGARO | Team SUZUKI ECSTAR | Suzuki | 162.0 | +4.726 |
| 5 | 11 | 35 | Cal CRUTCHLOW | LCR Honda | Honda | 161.4 | +15.049 |
| 6 | 10 | 44 | Pol ESPARGARO | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 161.1 | +19.654 |
| 7 | 9 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini | Aprilia | 160.9 | +23.032 |
| 8 | 8 | 9 | Danilo PETRUCCI | OCTO Pramac Yakhnich | Ducati | 160.5 | +28.555 |
| 9 | 7 | 45 | Scott REDDING | OCTO Pramac Yakhnich | Ducati | 160.5 | +28.802 |
| 10 | 6 | 6 | Stefan BRADL | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini | Aprilia | 160.3 | +32.330 |
| 11 | 5 | 21 | Katsuyuki NAKASUGA | Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing | Yamaha | 159.6 | +42.845 |
| 12 | 4 | 68 | Yonny HERNANDEZ | Pull & Bear Aspar Team | Ducati | 159.1 | +52.219 |
| 13 | 3 | 38 | Bradley SMITH | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 159.0 | +53.783 |
| 14 | 2 | 53 | Tito RABAT | Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS | Honda | 158.9 | +54.760 |
| 15 | 1 | 73 | Hiroshi AOYAMA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 158.6 | +1’00.155 |
| 16 | 76 | Loris BAZ | Avintia Racing | Ducati | 158.3 | +1’04.440 | |
| 17 | 8 | Hector BARBERA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 156.0 | +1’42.966 | |
| 18 | 7 | Mike JONES | Avintia Racing | Ducati | 154.5 | 1 Lap | |
See more of MD’s great photography:
somebody “pants” the kid already.
Going to be interesting next year with Lorenzo wearing a red suit.
Congrats to MM. He rode a superb race. Unbelievable that both Yamaha contender’s would crash out. Who would have ever predicted that? For a while, it looked like we were going to see another fight between Rossi and Marquez. Not to be, felt really sorry for Rossi, and Lorenzo as well. It will be interesting to see who the runner up will be, Rossi? Lorenzo?
MM is on another level
Its hard to imagine everyone else stepping up their game again, and even more, to surpass him…
Congratulations Marc! Excellent job all year.
Who else thinks Spanish conspiracy. Both Yamahas slid out, riders unhurt Congratulations to MM but a bit predictable
I’m not a fan of Marquez, but anyone who can turn a bike at triple digit speeds using only the front tire deserves major respect. Nobody deserves the championship more than him this season.
Dam straight
Lorenzo was complimentary…Rossi not so much. Enuff said.
Bautista and Bradl continue their March up the results sheets. How long until the Aprilia is threatening Ducati and Suzuki?
I think KTM will be there first.
When the #2 and #3 riders crash out, every one on the board “march(es) up the results sheet” except the new reigning Champion.
Do you mean over time? If yes, sorry if I missed that.
Regardless the grand plans of Aprlia, KTM, and every other make, I estimate the betting odds are on MM and Honda to win just about every single Championship till he hangs up his leathers. If not for Honda’s frame issues last year, this would be MM’s sixth, at age 23. That’s pretty strange, and quite unique.
MM looks more and more every year like he may break every single record in the Premier class. In this race MM passed last season’s Champion Lorenzo like he was in reverse, and immediately disappeared.
The difference between MM and the rest of the field is startling.
Did anyone else see the young Japanese woman crying tears of joy for MM?
Marquez was flying and ran off a string of quick laps within hundredths of a second of each lap..like 15 of them. The slow mo video was unbelievably cool. That is one “on the edge and very talented” motorcycle rider. Congrats to him for his 5th Championship. He certainly deserves it. At 23 it is going to be interesting to see how many championships this kid is going to rack up. With Rossi getting ever older (but still competitive for now), Pedrosa always hurt and Lorenzo switching rides it seems to me there will be many more.
That said, I’m not such a fan of the excessive celebrations these days..Just don’t remember/can’t imagine Giacomo Agostini or Mike Hailwood or Kenny Roberts or Lawson or Rainey acting like that. Guess that’s just the way it is these days. It’s the kids 5th Championship and was pretty much a forgone conclusion for months now as long as he didn’t wad it up, so no need for the circus act.
Rossi and Lorenzo ran a great race right up until their front ends washed out. Wish they could have made it interesting for a few more weeks. Also the two Suzuki riders looked excellent in this race.
How curious that both Yamahas went to the ground leaving the championship so easy to MM, almost conspiratory…. (Norm G. voice) LOL
Joke aside, there is nothing new here, “the kid” it’s an already proven winner and just time is required to discover how far he’ll go.
Congrats again to the Suzis!!!
Next Year JL will have all the eyes on him and his new bike.