Motorcycling: Marquez seals historic MotoGP world title
Valencia (Spain) (AFP) - Spaniard Marc Marquez at 20 years of age became the youngest rider to ever win the MotoGP world championship as he finished third at the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday.
Two-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo claimed his eighth victory of the season, but it wasn't enough to overturn Marquez's 13-point lead which he held heading into the race as the Honda rider held on to take the title by just four points.
Marquez's teammate Dani Pedrosa finished second to end the season third in the championship standings, a further 30 points behind Lorenzo.
"It was the longest race of the year for me, I was very nervous before the start," said Marquez.
"Jorge tried to slow the race at the beginning and I didn't know what to do, to go for it or not, it was very rigid and I didn't feel comfortable.
"But the most important thing is that we have made the dream come true, perhaps a little quickly because I didn't expect it.
"I want to thank everyone because I am very happy."
The championship was just reward for an incredible season by the man in his maiden year in MotoGP.
Marquez announced his arrival on the circuit in just the second race of the season in America as he became the youngest ever winner of a Grand Prix.
However, it was a mid-season stretch of four straight wins whilst Lorenzo and Pedrosa struggled with injuries that put the Catalan well in charge of the championship standings.
And despite a wonderful end to the season from a fit-again Lorenzo, Marquez's consistency saw him cling onto the lead as he made the podium in every race that he completed throughout the campaign.
Needing just to finish in the top four to seal the title in Valencia, Marquez started on pole but was immediately overtaken by Lorenzo heading into the first corner.
Pedrosa then also moved past Marquez and an incredible battle between Pedrosa and Lorenzo ensued as the latter tried to bunch the leading pack in an attempt to increase Marquez's chances of sliding down the field.
However, his plan backfired as both Lorenzo and Pedrosa ran wide and allowed Marquez to briefly move in front.
Lorenzo then retook the lead with unerring ease, but Marquez cruised round in second before allowing Pedrosa to pass with five laps remaining to ensure there was no late drama.
And in the end Lorenzo was happy just to seal his third consecutive win to end the season.
"It was a bit of a different race because I wasn't trying to escape early on. I have to apologise to Dani because the two of us nearly crashed at one point and it was bit of a risky move on my part.
"I couldn't do any more. Once I saw that Dani and Marc had moved away from the rest, I just tried to win the race.
"We have tried until the end, it wasn't to be but at least it was not for the want of trying."
Despite securing a place on the podium, it was also a disappointing end to the campaign for Pedrosa as he finished in the top three of the championship standings for the sixth time in his career, but is still to win the world title.
However, he was full of praise for his young teammate, who has taken the sport by storm this year.
"It is Marc's day. He has had a fantastic year, is a deserving champion and we should all congratulate him."
