Marc Marquez crowned MotoGP champion after Japan Grand Prix victory
Last Updated: 16/10/16 9:31am
Marc Marquez secured his third MotoGP title by winning the Japan Grand Prix after his closest rivals, Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, both crashed out.
The 23-year-old Honda rider became the youngest man to win three premier-class world championship titles as a result, and he did so at Honda's home circuit at Twin Ring Motegi, where he had never won before.
Marquez finished the 24-lap race in 42 minutes 34.610 seconds, 2.992 seconds ahead of Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso and 4.104 seconds ahead of Maverick Vinales of Suzuki.
The Spaniard started second on the grid, after pole-sitter Rossi, who was his closest championship rival with a 52-point gap. Last season's champion Lorenzo also started from the front row.
Marquez took the first corner but was quickly overtaken by Lorenzo, who captured the lead for the early phase of the race.
Marquez and Rossi swapped second place several times on the second lap with the Honda rider keeping the upper hand.
On the fourth lap, Marquez closed in on Lorenzo to take the lead and gradually increased his advantage.
With 19 laps to go, Rossi also passed Lorenzo but the Italian slipped on the tarmac at the hairpin bend on turn 10 on the following lap and he then withdrew from the race despite getting his bike back on the track.
With five laps remaining, Lorenzo also slipped on the track as he lost control of his bike, this time at the V-shaped left-handed turn nine, and Marquez was able to ease to his fifth victory of the season which clinched the title with three races remaining.
