Marc Marquez is the Spanish rookie who is enjoying a dream first season at MotoGP level. The Honda rider leads the world championship heading into the final race of the year at Valencia, where he is bidding to become the first rookie to win the title since Kenny Roberts in 1978.
Marvelous Marquez —
Marc Marquez is the Spanish rookie who is enjoying a dream first season at MotoGP level. The Honda rider leads the world championship heading into the final race of the year at Valencia, where he is bidding to become the first rookie to win the title since Kenny Roberts in 1978.
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Hot on Marquez's heels is his compatriot Jorge Lorenzo, a two-time world champion who is 13 points behind Marquez in second place overall.
Lorenzo's last chance —
Hot on Marquez's heels is his compatriot Jorge Lorenzo, a two-time world champion who is 13 points behind Marquez in second place overall.
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Marquez held a commanding 43-point lead over Lorenzo heading into the Australian Grand Prix, the 16th race of 18. However, he was disqualified after breaking an emergency rule requiring a mandatory bike change -- which was introduced due to tire safety concerns at the resurfaced Phillip Island circuit. Lorenzo took the checkered flag to blow the title race wide open.
Black mark —
Marquez held a commanding 43-point lead over Lorenzo heading into the Australian Grand Prix, the 16th race of 18. However, he was disqualified after breaking an emergency rule requiring a mandatory bike change -- which was introduced due to tire safety concerns at the resurfaced Phillip Island circuit. Lorenzo took the checkered flag to blow the title race wide open.
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Lorenzo continued his winning run at the Japanese Grand Prix on October 27, meaning his title defense would go down to the wire.
Japanese joy —
Lorenzo continued his winning run at the Japanese Grand Prix on October 27, meaning his title defense would go down to the wire.
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The last time the MotoGP title race went down to the last grand prix was in 2006, when Nicky Hayden trailed Valentino Rossi by eight points. The American was given a boost when the Italian crashed on lap five in Valencia, leaving Hayden to come home in third place and clinch the championship.
Hayden's heyday —
The last time the MotoGP title race went down to the last grand prix was in 2006, when Nicky Hayden trailed Valentino Rossi by eight points. The American was given a boost when the Italian crashed on lap five in Valencia, leaving Hayden to come home in third place and clinch the championship.
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Marquez and Lorenzo have developed a fierce rivalry, while the young pretender has also been making enemies within the Honda camp. Teammate Dani Pedrosa, pictured, was on the receiving end of Marquez's aggressive style at the Aragon Grand Prix when the pair came together while battling for second place. Marquez was deducted one point and warned about his driving style.
A danger to Dani? —
Marquez and Lorenzo have developed a fierce rivalry, while the young pretender has also been making enemies within the Honda camp. Teammate Dani Pedrosa, pictured, was on the receiving end of Marquez's aggressive style at the Aragon Grand Prix when the pair came together while battling for second place. Marquez was deducted one point and warned about his driving style.
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James Toseland is a double Superbike world champion who switched to MotoGP in 2008 and is now focusing on a music career. "I've been amazed at how he pushes the bike to the limit consistently," Toseland told CNN when asked about Marquez.
Super Toseland —
James Toseland is a double Superbike world champion who switched to MotoGP in 2008 and is now focusing on a music career. "I've been amazed at how he pushes the bike to the limit consistently," Toseland told CNN when asked about Marquez.
Tony Mottram
Herve Poncharal is the owner of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team and a big admirer of both title contenders. "It's going to be incredibly tense -- 13 points is good to have, but it's not a lot," he told CNN.
Poncharal's point of view —
Herve Poncharal is the owner of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team and a big admirer of both title contenders. "It's going to be incredibly tense -- 13 points is good to have, but it's not a lot," he told CNN.
Monster Tech 3 Yamaha