For the first time since 2006 the MotoGP title was up for grabs at the final race in Valencia between these two Spanish riders; two time world champion and Yamaha rider, Jorge Lorenzo and Honda rider and wonder rookie Marc Marquez. It is the first time since 2006 where the championship decider was on the final round and prior the race, Marquez had a 13 point advantage over Lorenzo.
Despite Marquez qualifying on top, it was Lorenzo who blazed to the lead followed by Marquez’s experienced team mate, Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo did attempt to slow down the race to allow other competitors to chase Marquez in the leading group but it somehow backfired. A tight skirmish occurred between Lorenzo and Pedrosa for the top spot meaning Marquez simply needed to stay behind as he needed to finish no lower than forth to clinch the title. The Hondas were in fact faster than the Yamaha but that didn’t stop Lorenzo going for the race win in this epic battle. A third place finish for Marquez meant he is now officially the youngest world champion in the premier motorcycle racing class at the age of 20.
He is also the first rookie to become world champion in the pinnacle of motorcycle racing after American legend Kenny Roberts did it in 1978. The title this year was won by a mere 4 points.
“I cannot explain what I feel – it’s a dream come true and I maybe didn’t expect to fight for the championship in the first year,” said Marquez.
Lorenzo admitted that “Marc has been a deserving champion and today is his day.”
Lorenzo’s team mate, Valentino Rossi managed a forth finish and do little to help his team mate to stop the dominating Hondas.
The local Spanish crowd in Valencia was enraptured by an all Spaniard podium finish in MotoGP. On the lower categories of Moto2 and Moto3 races were won by Spaniards as well. As if Spain has been the academy of creating world class motorcycle racers just like how Venezula chums beauty pageant winners, where the world champions of Moto2 and Moto3 for this year, Pol Espargaro and Maverick Vinales, were also Spaniards.
The title for 2013 may have been won by Marquez, but we believe this is the first of the many possible accomplishments for this talented young Spaniard and Lorenzo will be more determined to stop Marquez in the coming years. This simply means we will embark in a new chapter on the rivalry between these two great Spaniards.
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