Francesco Bagnaia wins Valencia MotoGP to retain title as Jorge Martin crashes out
- Published
Jorge Martin (right) clipped Marc Marquez (left) and caused both riders to crash out, confirming Francesco Bagnaia as champion
Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia won the season-ending Valencia GP to retain his MotoGP title after his only rival Jorge Martin crashed out early in the race.
Pramac Racing's Martin clipped Marc Marquez's Honda in the sixth lap, causing both drivers to crash out and hand Bagnaia the title.
The Italian was leading and unaware of the incident but went on to win anyway.
Martin needed to win and Bagnaia finish outside the top five in order to claim a first MotoGP crown.
The Spaniard, who began the race 14 points adrift of Bagnaia, made a fine start, surging from sixth on the grid to second behind his rival.
However, on the second lap he dropped back to eighth after clipping Bagnaia's bike, although he was able to stay in the race.
A few laps later a second collision, this time with Marquez, ended his race.
The 25-year-old returned to the pitlane where he was consoled by his team-mates after shedding tears.
It was six-time champion Marquez's final race for Honda as he prepares to join Gresini Racing for next season.
The man he is replacing at Gresini, Fabio di Giannantonio, finished second with Martin's Prima Pramac team-mate Johann Zarco third.
Bagnaia received a boost before the race when he was promoted to pole position in place of Maverick Vinales, who was demoted to fourth after failing to leave the track after a black flag was waved at him during the warm-up.
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