Marc Marquez returned to the top step of the podium at the Valencia MotoGP, adding an impressive 12th victory to his season’s tally.
But while the Honda champ celebrated in style, his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo ended his MotoGP career with a whimper and a disappointing P13.
16th successive top-two for Marquez
Marquez started Sunday’s Valencia MotoGP, the final race of the 2019 season, second on the grid with Fabio Quartararo on pole and Jack Miller P3.
Miller put his first front row start since Silverstone to good use as he grabbed the holeshot.
But P1 wasn’t in his hands for long with Quartararo flying through before the recovering Marquez, who had fallen from second to fifth off the line, found his way back up to second.
The Honda rider stalked Quartararo for several laps before making his move at Turn 11 on Lap 8, barging through to take the lead.
There was no looking back for the reigning World Champion as he raced way to the victory, his 12th of this season.
The 2019 World Champion and the rookie sensation! 🤝
How many times will we see these two go head to head in the future? 🤔#ValenciaGP 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/qlcx7vbrwq
— MotoGP™ 🇪🇸 (@MotoGP) November 17, 2019
The P1 was Marquez’s 16th successive top-two showing with the Spaniard first or second in every 2019 race but America.
He also became the first rider in MotoGP history to score more than 400 points: 420.
“It was a difficult weekend so I want to thank all the team,” said Marquez.
“It was great to win the race and achieve the championship.
“Honda deserved this championship because they did an amazing job.
“I am very, very happy. A perfect season and it is now time to enjoy it.
“Amazing to finish the season this way.”
Quartararo had to once again settle for second with Miller third ahead of Andrea Dovizioso, who never once looked as if he could join the podium fight.
Alex Rins was fifth ahead of Maverick Vinales and Joan Mir.
Valentino Rossi’s podium drought continued, running to 16 races, as he finished a disappointing eighth ahead of Aleix Espargaro and his brother Pol.
Johann Zarco was taken to the track’s medical centre after he crashed at Turn 6. Standing up to walk to safety, he was caught by Iker Lecuona sliding bike.
The Red Bull KTM Tech 3 rider went down at the same corner moments after Zarco and his bike slid through the gravel, smashing into the LCR Honda rider’s legs.
Farewell to a legend
Jorge Lorenzo took to the grid for his MotoGP swansong.
After a difficult 2019 season, the triple MotoGP champion announced on Thursday that the Valencia race would be his last despite having a further year to run on his Honda contract.
Telling the media that the “day has arrived”, Lorenzo did not have the farewell party that either he or his fans had wished for.
Starting P16, he lost positions in the opening laps and struggled to recover.
He brought his Honda RC213V across the line in 13th place, 51s behind race winner Marquez.
👏 @lorenzo99's astonishing career comes to an end
One of the greatest to ever grace this beautiful sport with his talent! ❤️#ThankYouJorge | #ValenciaGP 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/JQft7AZmXG
— MotoGP™ 🇪🇸 (@MotoGP) November 17, 2019
Teams’ title goes to Honda
Although Ducati went into the final race of the campaign with a slender two-point lead over Honda, it was the latter that emerged victorious.
Honda, more to the point Marquez, overhauled Andrea Dovizioso’s team to clinch the teams’ championship by 13 points.
That handed Honda part three of the triple crown as the Japanese manufacturer had previously wrapped up the manufacturers’ and riders’ titles.
The South African contingent
Brad Binder’s incredible form in the second part of the season saw the South African secure his third win on the trot.
The Red Bull KTM rider held off the charging Thomas Luthi, taking the chequered flag 0.735s ahead of the Kalex rider.
Binder’s end-of-season form meant he finished his final Moto2 campaign runner-up.
Having been as much as 77 points off the pace midway through the season, he finished a mere three points behind championship winner Alex Marquez.
Asked if he knew how close the championship was in the end, Binder replied: “I don’t think I want to know” before acknowledging that his “second half form has been incredible.”
KTM bid farewell to #Moto2 👋
And what better way to do it than, than to wave goodbye to the intermediate class from the top step of the podium! 🥇#ValenciaGP 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/aJGGDbkxWu
— MotoGP™ 🇪🇸 (@MotoGP) November 17, 2019
But while it was joy for Brad for the other Binder, Darryn, is was yet another retirement as he crashed out of a chaotic Moto3 race.
MotoGP result
1 Marc Marquez – Honda 2 Fabio Quartararo – Yamaha – 1.026 3 Jack Miller – Ducati – 2.409 4 Dovizioso – Ducati – 3.326 5 Alex Rins – Suzuki – 3.508 6 Maverick Viñales – Yamaha – 8.829 7 Joan Mir – Suzuki – 10.622 8 Valentino Rossi – Yamaha – 22.992 9 Aleix Espargaro – Aprilia – 32.704 10 Pol Espargaro – KTM – 32.973 11 Tito Rabat – Ducati – 42.795 12 Mika Kallio – KTM – 45.732 13 Jorge Lorenzo – Honda – 51.044 14 Karel Abraham – Ducati – 1’04.871 15 Hafizh Syahrin – KTM – 1’16.487
Did not finish Andrea Iannone – Aprilia – lap 26 Franco Morbidelli – Yamaha – lap 18 Danilo Petrucci – Ducati – lap 13 Johann Zarco – Honda – lap 13 Iker Lecuona – KTM – lap 13 Cal Crutchlow – Honda – lap 10 Michele Pirro – Ducati – lap 8
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