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Marquez "plays" with the MotoGP: 7th level achieved

The Spaniard achieves his seventh world title at Motegi, Dovizioso crashes on the lastlap, Crutchlow and Rins on the podium, Rossi 4th

MotoGP: Marquez "plays" with the MotoGP: 7th level achieved

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It was a great opportunity and Marc Marquez didn't let it pass him by. There appears to be a special bond between the Spanish and the Motegi track, because for the third time #93 is celebrating winning a world title in the land of the Rising Sun.

Of the many possible combinations, the Honda rider was obliged to win, and that he did. The race was like many we've seen in this second part of the season, developing into a head to head between Marc and Andrea Dovizioso. A thrilling battle, but one that wasn't decided at the last corner, as it has been on several occasions, but on the final lap, when the Ducati rider crashed out, thus delivering title number seven to the Spaniard on a silver platter.

Marc was thankful for the gift, racing to victory. A win that the Spaniard was keen to secure, despite being sixth in qualifying. Yes, because in the race it took him less than a lap to make up for qualifying and reach the Italian, proving once again to be a real thorn in his side.

Marquez waited, managing the tyre, before going on the attack in the final phase, making the decisive move on Dovizioso. The Italian tried to resist, but there was nothing doing, because his race finished in the gravel, leaving the spotlight firmly on the Spaniard. With his win at the Twin Ring, the Honda rider becomes the youngest ever rider to have won seven titles, at the age of 25 and 246 days, which he celebrates with a brand-new shirt that features level seven of a video game, which the phenomenon was seen playing at the side of the track.

The Honda camp celebrates a 1-2 in fact, with Cal Crutchlow finishing second. The LCR rider was keen to be part of the Dovi-Marc battle but his pace did not allow him to remain with them right until then end. He takes second ahead of Alex Rins, who benefited from the Italian's crash to reach the podium.

Rins holds the flag for Suzuki on a day in which Andrea Iannone crashes out seven laps from the end while battling his team-mate. While Suzuki celebrates a podium finish, Yamaha is left disappointed.

The Twin Ring has only confirmed the limits of the M1 after an encouraging weekend at Buriram. Yamaha was only able to stick with the leading group until mid-race, with Valentino Rossi, before having to give in to the superior pace of the Suzuki due to tyre management issues. 

The Doctor takes the consolation prize of fourth, ahead of Alvaro Bautista, while Zarco and Vinales were unable to do more than sixth and seventh. Rounding out the top ten are Dani Pedrosa, Danilo PetrucciHafizh Syahrin. Pramac rider Jack Miller failed to reach the line, as did Aleix Espargarò on the Aprilia.  

Translated by Heather Watson
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