Repsol Honda rider makes history as the youngest premier class World Champion. Dani Pedrosa finishes the season with a second place.
More than 100,000 fans attended the Ricardo Tormo circuit today to watch Marc Marquez clinch the MotoGP World Championship. In his rookie year and with the fight for the title going down to the wire, the Spaniard rode a spectacular race in Valencia to place third, behind Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa. The result was the eleventh podium double for Repsol Honda this season.
Starting from pole position, Marquez was passed by Lorenzo and Pedrosa off the line. The pair ahead of him provided an intense fight, with constant overtaking moves on the opening laps. Contact on lap 10 dropped Pedrosa down to fifth place and Marquez used the incident to move up into the lead –albeit only briefly. He was passed by Lorenzo one lap later, and Pedrosa followed suit five laps from the chequered flag.
Marc Marquez claimed third place and sealed the title, becoming the youngest MotoGP World Champion in history.
Dani Pedrosa >> Audio
2nd at 3.934 sec.
“The race was difficult at the start because of the overtaking moves between myself and Jorge [Lorenzo]. However, we fought to the limit until I was taken a little off the track and lost ground as a result. Above all, I want to congratulate Marc [Marquez] today. He has done an excellent job this season and had a great campaign. We should take our hats off to him because he has achieved something historic; to win the MotoGP title as a rookie is incredible”.
Marc Marquez >> Audio
3rd at 7.357 sec.
“It was a really long race, maybe the longest of my career! At the start I was very nervous, I know I said I wasn’t but if I’m honest I really was. Jorge had a very good start, as usual, and I wasn’t sure which tactic to take. I followed Jorge and Dani and began to settle into the race. Then towards the end, I decided not to push as I knew my position was secure and safe to take the Championship. It has been a fantastic year, I am still in a dream! I really didn’t expect this at the beginning and I am really so very happy. So thank you to all my team, my family and of course Honda and all our sponsors. The support from everyone and all my fans around the World has been incredible and I dedicate this Championship to you all!”.
