Marquez wins fourth world title in last race of MotoGP season
VALENCIA: Marc Marquez cemented his status as the top rider in motorcycle racing on Sunday after the Spaniard won his fourth MotoGP world title in five years on Sunday after his only rival Andrea Dovizioso crashed out of a dramatic season-ending race in Valencia.
The 24-year-old, who started on pole position with a 21-point lead and also almost fell, finished third and safe in the knowledge that he was the sport’s youngest four-time champion in the top category.
Dovizioso’s fate was sealed when the early season pace-setter crashed out five laps from the end as Marquez ultimately won the championship by 37 points.
“It’s an amazing feeling. During the race I always tried to be calm, control the situation,” said Marquez of his wobble during the race.
“Suddenly I said now is the time to push because I felt really good. But in turn one I lost concentration on the brake point, I braked too late...Marquez style until the end,” he grinned.
Compatriot and team mate Dani Pedrosa won the race with French rookie Johann Zarco second for the Tech3 Yamaha team after leading early on.
Marquez drew level with British trio Mike Hailwood, Geoff Duke and John Surtees, and American Eddie Lawson as one of just five riders to triumph four times at the top level.
He replaced the late Hailwood as the youngest ever four-time champion in the top flight, achieving the feat at 24 years and 268 days compared to the British great’s 1965 record of 25 years and 107 days.