Moto3: Alex Marquez joins brother Marc as a world champion
Last Updated: 09/11/14 2:48pm
Alex Marquez has made motorcycling history by claiming the Moto3 crown to join MotoGP champion Marc Marquez as the only brothers to hold titles in the same season.
Alex, who is three years Marc's junior at 18, wrapped up the title by taking third place in the Valencia Grand Prix behind Australian Jack Miller, who was winning his sixth race of the season, with Isaac Vinales in second.
Miller's win was not enough to make up the 11-point advantage Honda rider Marquez had in the championship standings heading into the final race of the season.
Marquez finished the campaign on 278 points, with Miller on 276 and Marquez's team-mate Alex Rins third on 237.
"It's incredible. I thought it would be the race of my life and it was," said Marquez.
"I felt good throughout the race. I felt comfortable. I am so happy and I just want to thank everyone who has supported me through every moment."
Alex Marquez’s success completed a Spanish clean sweep of the three classes for 2014 after Esteve Rabat captured the Moto2 title.
Rabat, who sealed his maiden world title last time out in Malaysia, started the final race of the season in pole position in Valencia but he had to settle for second place behind Switzerland's Thomas Luthi.
Frenchman Johann Zarco finished third, while an early collision between Mika Kallio and Maverick Vinales forced both riders to retire from the race ensuring the Finn maintained his 15-point lead over Vinales to finish second and third respectively in the overall championship standings.
