Marc Marquez claimed his third World Championship in the Premier class at Honda's home track in Japan, as the Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo crashed out leaving out any mathematical chances of defending. With this Championship Marquez has become the youngest rider ever to win three World titles in the Premier class.Valentino Rossi qualified on Pole position, and was accompanied by Marc Marquez and teammate Jorge Lorenzo on the first row of the grid. As the lights went off, Lorenzo had a good start to take the lead in the first corner overtaking Marquez on the exit. Marquez was seen in second place followed by 'The Doctor'. Ecstar Suzuki's Aleix Espargaro passed Rossi for P3, which was earned back soon by Vale. Andrea Dovizioso, Cal Crutchlow and Maverick Viñales was seen fighting for the fifth position.
On lap two Valentino Rossi made a move on Marquez for P2, which Marc immediately regained. Marquez soon went on to make laps in 1.45', making him the fastest rider on track. The pace was steady, with which he caught Lorenzo and eventually pulled away at the front. As Marc began to do a Lorenzo, Rossi suffered a disastrous low side crash at Turn 10 in an attempt to catch his teammate, and ended up on the gravel. Rossi suffered to restart the race as the bike was on his legs, for which he needed some help from the Marshals. Rossi retired to the pits, as the bike was unable to make to the chequered flag.
Aleix was soon overtaken by Dovizioso for third place given away by Rossi. Now Lorenzo had all the chances of stopping Marc crowning the Championship here, if he made his way to the Podium. Unfortunately Lorenzo lost his front at Turn 9 and crashed out of the race, which was well informed to Marc by his team. This meant Marquez just had to keep his calm to crown the Championship.
Dovizioso got a crucial P2 to his name. Meanwhile the Suzuki teammates had a battle, in which Viñales came successful for P3. Aleix Espargaro was then followed by Cal Crutchlow at P5 to become the top Satellite rider. Alvaro Bautista, Danilo Peterucci, Scott Redding and Stefan Bradl completed the top 10. Pedrosa's replacement rider Hiroshi Aoyama clinched P15 and secured a point at his home track. Jack Miller and Eugene Laverty were the other two riders along with the Yamaha duo to have a DNF.
This win gave Marquez his fifth World Championship across all the classes. We'd say Marc has absolutely matured as a rider, given the bad experience he had last year by going for the win in each and every race. The Championship being Done and Dusted, we expect all the top riders to cut loose in order to give their best at Phillip Island, Australia which is scheduled for the next weekend. We expect a tight race between the top 6 riders, as in 2015 at the momentarily most Gorgeous Australian circuit. There will also be a battle between Rossi and Lorenzo for the Runner up and Top Yamaha title. Finally, helmets off to Marc Marquez for a brilliant World Championship win. Stay tuned to BikesIndia!
By: Aravind Rb