Marc Marquez retains MotoGP crown in Japan then dislocates shoulder celebrating
Marquez suffered bizarre injury following overexuberant celebratory hugs with his Honda team and British rider Scott Redding
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 21/10/18 3:07pm
Marc Marquez has won the MotoGP crown for the third time in a row - and the fifth time in his career – after he claimed victory in the Grand Prix of Japan.
Victory at Motegi was the eighth of the season for Marquez and drew him level on five titles with Mick Doohan - only Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini have won more.
But the 25-year-old then suffered a bizarre injury in celebrating as he suffered a dislocated shoulder following some overenthusiastic celebrations with his Honda team and British rider Scott Redding.
Marquez started from sixth on the grid but it did not take him long to find his way to the front of the race.
Pole-sitter Andrea Dovizioso took advantage of a Marquez error to move into the lead but with just three laps remaining but the Spaniard claimed the lead once again.
Dovizioso lost control and slid onto the grass as he tried to pass Marquez, handing the Honda rider victory.
British rider Cal Crutchlow came through to claim second, with Alex Rins holding off the challenge of Rossi to secure third.
"I feel really, really good," Marquez said after retaining his crown with three races of the season still to go.
"I already imagined that it will be [decided] here but the important thing is that when you have the first chance, you do it.
"It wasn't the best circuit to do it but I worked hard all weekend.
"I was able to follow Andrea [Dovizioso] and decided to attack before the last lap. I was pushing really hard, so he made a mistake - I'm disappointed because he deserves to be on the podium with us."
