Johann Zarco first-ever back-to-back Moto2 Champion

MotoGP-bound Johann Zarco, rider for the Ajo Motorsport team, has become the 2016 Moto2 champion. In the process, he has created history - no rider in Moto2 has ever had back-to-back titles. 

The 26-year old Frenchman sealed the championship with his fifth win of the year. However, the start of the year wasn't very good; he was fourth in the standings after Le Mans, where he crashed out. He then won four out of the next five races, taking him 34 points clear of the second-placed rider. Closest title rival Alex Rins since came within one point of Zarco after the Aragon GP, but a couple of crashes meant he dropped out of the race. The only other rider to win back-to-back titles in the intermediate class was a certain Jorge Lorenzo in the 250cc class in 2006 and 2007. However, Zarco is also the first Frenchman to win more than one title in GP racing. 

Zarco will ride with the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP team next season. Joining him from Moto2 in the class of 2017 will be Jonas Folger (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha), Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar) and Sam Lowes (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini).