Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez has taken the 2016 MotoGP World Championship title at the home of Honda – with the hand dealt by track seeing the cards fall perfectly for the Spaniard as Movistar Yamaha teammates Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo crashed out of contention.
Rossi was the first out of contention, hitting the gravel early in the race – before Lorenzo’s ride through the pain barrier after a highside on Saturday was cut short; sliding out of 2nd agonizingly close to the end of the race.
Marquez, all clear at the front, kept his cool to become the youngest rider to win three MotoGP championships with his third premier class title in four years, and his fifth victory of the year.
Next up, MotoGP returns to the scene of the Island Battle last season – Phillip Island. With the Championship decided, maybe the new Marquez will be revealed as a mask – and the Champion will cut loose and set his sights firmly on win number six for the season.
