Marquez youngest back-to-back MotoGP champ

Marc Marquez has become the youngest consecutive premier class grand prix motorcycle world champion after finishing runner-up to Jorge Lorenzo in the Japanese MotoGP at Motegi.

The title fight came down to a head-to-head stoush between Marquez and Valentino Rossi as the six-time premier class world champion attempted to keep his hopes of a seventh alive with three races remaining.

Marquez, at 21 years, 237 days, now eclipses the previous record held by the late Mike Hailwood in 1963 when he was 23 years 152 days.

Rossi had kept Marquez at bay in the contest for second place for several laps.

That would have kept the Italian in contention by a mere point heading into the Tissot Australian MotoGP, but could not hold on for the duration of the 24-lap race.

‘The Doctor’ got the holeshot and led the field away at the Honda-owned Twin Ring Motegi, while Lorenzo quickly made it a Movistar Yamaha one-two as he displaced pole-sitter Andrea Dovizioso on the opening lap.

Marquez, sixth off the start line, had caught the tail of the top three by Lap 5, just as Lorenzo relieved Rossi of the lead.

The Repsol Honda rider was the beneficiary of a slight Dovizioso error when the Italian ran wide on Lap 9, and was on the hammer of Dovizioso’s compatriot a lap later.

Rossi held out for as long as he could, even quickly re-passing Marquez after falling behind on Lap 15, the 2013 champion made the move again a lap later and would not be denied.

“The race, it doesn’t matter today,” said Marquez.

“I’m very happy to take the title because for Honda this is their home circuit.

“It’s incredible to be able to win, and thanks especially to the team, to my family, and to Honda for giving me the best motorcycle and the best motivation for the title.”

Lorenzo ran away to a second-consecutive victory both at Motegi and in this year’s championship, becoming the only multiple 2014 race winner outside of Marquez.

Dani Pedrosa claimed fourth after passing Dovizioso mid-race, while Andrea Iannone, Stefan Bradl, Pol Espargaro, Bradley Smith, and Alvaro Bautista rounded out the top ten.

Australian Broc Parkes finished 20th.

While the title may be settled with Marquez leading by an unassailable 82 points with three races remaining, second place is in the balance with Rossi and Pedrosa tied on 230 points and Lorenzo only three further back.

In Moto3, Australian Jack Miller lost further ground to Alex Marquez after a fifth place finish.

Miller led for much of the race before out-braking himself on the final lap as he came under pressure from A.Marquez and Danny Kent.
The latter also ran wide as he lunged at Miller, allowing A.Marquez to win the race.

MotoGP returns to Phillip Island next weekend.

See below for full results

See below for full championship points