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MotoGP, Marquez on top of the world at Motegi, disaster for Yamaha

The Spanish Honda rider is World Champion, Rossi and Lorenzo crash out, podium for Dovizioso and Vinales

Marquez on top of the world at Motegi, disaster for Yamaha

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And to think that no-one was even thinking about it, considering that the combinations were so unlikely. Yet today's Motegi race will go down in history for Marc Marquez. At Honda's home track, where he'd never won in the GP class until now, the Spaniard is crowned world champion for the fifth time, in what is the Japanese team's 50th year of participation in the world championship.

The Spaniard was simply perfect, completing a faultless race. To take the title, a Yamaha black-out was needed. And Rossi and Lorenzo took care of that, handing #93 the title on a silver platter. The Doctor crashed 18 laps before the end of the race, the Majorcan five. This meant that the long-awaited title today became a reality for Marquez, who crossed the line as champion: “I would never have expected to win here - he commented - after Rossi crashed I decided to push to the max because I wanted to win the race. Then Jorge crashed too  – he added - I made a mistake inserting the gear, but this didn't affect my performance. I'm really pleased with this win, scored at such as a special track. I want to dedicate it to my grandma”.

The joy in Honda is also evident on Livio Suppo's face: “It's incredible how Marc is already so mature at just 23 – he stated - he has grown even more after last year and this is a great result”.

Satisfaction also for Nakamoto: “It's been a difficult season – commented the HRC number one - Marc has done something really incredible, we're all happy”.   

With the two Yamahas out of the running, Dovizioso reached the podium, second: “I don't think I made a good start – said the Ducati rider - unfortunately I wasn't pushing to the max at the start. Once Rossi crashed I found more confidence. Then, after Jorge crashed, I tried not to make any mistakes”.

Third for Maverick Vinales, ahead of team-mate Aleix Espargarò. Seventh for Bautista on the Aprilia, ahead of the Pramacs of Petrucci and Redding.

  

 

Translated by Heather Watson
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