Motegi: An emotional Marc Marquez secured his seventh MotoGP world championship and his first since 2019 by finishing second at the Japan Grand Prix on Sunday, with Francesco Bagnaia taking the race victory. The Spanish Ducati rider had dominated the season and sealed the title with five races still to go. Marquez needed to finish first or second to clinch the championship, regardless of where his brother and closest rival, Alex Marquez, placed.

After crossing the finish line, Marquez celebrated by raising both arms before breaking down in tears as the reality of his achievement set in. This victory marked his fourth world title in Japan, following wins in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Alex Marquez finished sixth, starting eighth on the grid.

Marquez’s championship win represents a triumphant comeback from a serious injury setback that began in 2020 when he broke his right arm, a challenge that nearly led him to retire. With this seventh title, he matched the record held by Italian motorcycle icon Valentino Rossi.

Francesco Bagnaia, Marquez’s Ducati teammate and a two-time world champion, claimed his second race win of a tough season. He also won the Saturday sprint and appeared in strong form throughout the weekend. Bagnaia took the lead from pole position at the start and fended off challenges, despite experiencing smoke from his Ducati nine laps from the end, to win the Japanese Grand Prix for the second consecutive year.

Honda’s Joan Mir finished in third place, with Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi fourth. The reigning world champion, Jorge Martin, was forced to withdraw from the race due to a fractured collarbone sustained in a crash with teammate Bezzecchi during the Saturday sprint. Japanese rider Ai Ogura of Trackhouse also withdrew from his home Grand Prix due to a hand injury, missing his first MotoGP appearance in Japan.

Marquez’s victory at the Japanese Grand Prix capped a remarkable comeback, underlining his status as one of MotoGP’s all-time greats. Marc Marquez emotionally clinched his seventh MotoGP world championship and first since 2019 by finishing second at the Japan Grand Prix, while Francesco Bagnaia won the race. Marquez, riding for Ducati, secured the title with five races remaining, needing only first or second place regardless of where his brother and rival Alex Marquez finished.

Marquez's victory points to a remarkable return from a severe injury sustained in 2020 that nearly ended his career. With seven MotoGP titles, he equalled Italian legend Valentino Rossi.

Bagnaia, also a Ducati rider, won his second grand prix of the season, recovering well despite smoke emanating from his bike late in the race. Honda’s Joan Mir placed third, and Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi came fourth. Reigning champion Jorge Martin missed the race after fracturing his collarbone in a crash. Japanese rider Ai Ogura withdrew due to a hand injury, missing his home race.

With inputs from AFP