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MotoGP is going on its 80th year, the 2024 edition being number 76 since it has existed, but the premier class title has not been awarded many times at the last Grand Prix. In fact, the final duel - like the one between Martin and Bagnaia that will take place next weekend in Barcelona - is an exception. If fighting it all out in a sprint is an exception in the history of motorcycle racing, being able to turn the tables is even rarer.
In the 500 era, it happened only once. The titles decided at the last race in the old half-liter were 12. The first champion in the end was Umberto Masetti, who gave Italy its first laurels in the 500 in 1950, getting the better of Geoff Duke. He would repeat the feat in 1952, beating Leslie Graham, again at the last GP. Same story for Libero Liberati, who secured the title in 1957 at the expense of Bob McIntyre.
The king of kings, Giacomo Agostini won 3 of his 8 World Championships in the premier class at the last race. In 1966 and 1967 he got the better of Mike 'The Bike' Hailwood, while in 1975 he got the better of Read.
Kenny Roberts won all his 3 World Championships in the final showdown: in 1978 against Barry Sheene, in 1979 against Virginio Ferrari and in 1980 against Randy Mamola. Unfortunately for Mamola, the same fate befell the Californian the following year, when in 1981 Marco Lucchinelli became champion at the last GP. Eddie Lawson did the same to the detriment of Wayne Gardner in 1988.
Up to this point, the rider who led the championship at the last GP won the title, the only exception in the 500 being in 1992. The last race was held at Kyalami, South Africa, and Rainey got there with a 2-point lead over Doohan. Wayne got on the podium thanks to 3rd place, Mick finished 6th, and the World Championship went to Rainey by 4 points.
In MotoGP, there have been 6 world championship sprint finishes (not counting the one in Barcelona next week). The first was in 2006, the year of Hayden's title. The American clashed with Rossi, who came to Barcelona with an 8-point lead. Valentino, however, crashed in the race, got up and crossed the finish line 13th, but thanks to 3rd place Nicky became champion by 5 points.
The Doctor lost another championship in a sprint, the one in 2015, despite being ahead. The grand finale was again in Valencia and Valentino had 7 points more than Lorenzo. After what happened in Sepang, however, Rossi was penalized and started last. His comeback took him to 4th place, but Jorge won the race and title (again by 5 points).
The other 4 sprint finishes in the 4-stroke premier class featured Marquez and Bagnaia. Marc won the title at the last race in 2013 (over Lorenzo) and 2017 (over Dovizioso), Pecco celebrated in Valencia both his titles: in 2022 against Quartararo and in 2023 against Martin.
In Barcelona he will have another chance, albeit a very difficult one to materialize. The points to make up on Martin are 24 (in case of a tie, the title would go to the Italian for the most GP wins) and, with the introduction of the Sprint, the points up for grabs are 37. Being able to overturn the situation would be a historic feat, never achieved by anyone else.
