Honda MotoGP rider Marc Marquez (L) of Spain is congratulated by compatriot Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo on the podium at the Japanese Grand Prix at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, north of Tokyo, Sunday. — Reuters

 

MOTEGI, Japan — Spanish sensation Marc Marquez retained his MotoGP championship by finishing runner-up behind countryman Jorge Lorenzo at the Japanese Grand Prix Sunday.



“Two years in MotoGP, two titles. It’s incredible,” the 21-year-old told reporters. “I couldn’t have imagined it. Maybe to people it looked easy because I am always smiling and always happy, but also I feel pressure.”



Marquez, who last year became MotoGP’s youngest world champion, celebrated in flamboyant fashion, accepting a ceremonial sword from a samurai warrior and a golden helmet from a kimono-clad beauty emblazoned with his number 93 and “world champion,” which he wore on his lap of honor.



Lorenzo won at Motegi on his Yamaha as he had last year, finishing in 42 minutes 21.259 seconds to back up his victory at Aragon two weeks ago, with Marquez behind him on his Honda and Italy’s Valentino Rossi third for Yamaha.



Marquez’s second place gave him an unassailable gap of 82 points from Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi and Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa with three races remaining this season. With three races left in the season, Marquez has 312 points. Riders are awarded 25 points for a win. The next race is at Phillip Island, Australia on Oct. 19.



Catalan Marquez continues to blaze a trail through every class he has raced in, first winning the 125cc title in 2010, then the Moto2 crown in 2012 before claiming back-to-back MotoGP titles.



“I had the chance to keep the party open for the championship for another week,” said seven-time premier class champion Rossi, who had fought tooth and nail to prevent Marquez passing him nine laps from the end at Motegi’s Twin Ring circuit. “I tried the maximum. Unfortunately it was not enough.”



Had the Italian managed to hold onto second, Marquez’s celebrations would have been put on ice, at least until the next race in Australia.



Starting from fourth on the grid with Rossi and Pedrosa ahead of him, Marquez made steady progress before blowing past Rossi at the second attempt to wrap up the title.



The Catalan began the season with 10 straight race wins from the curtain-raiser in Qatar before that streak ended in the Czech Republic in August, but he quickly returned to the top of the podium two weeks later in Britain.



The Japanese race took place in cloudy conditions but escaped rain, despite fears an approaching typhoon could cause disruption similar to last weekend’s Japanese Formula One race at Suzuka, which was halted after a horror crash involving France’s Jules Bianchi.



Lorenzo lavished praise on Marquez after the race. “Marc is extremely effective to be fast,” said the two-times world champion. “Very aggressive, very strong in battles, body-to-body. We’ve had some very tough races and there’s little between us so I expect a lot of the same in the coming races.” — AFP