Marc Marquez managed everything but a pole position at Motegi, Honda's home race, this year. He won the race, sealed the championship and all that's left is to celebrate.
Marquez went into the race with a slim chance of wrapping up the title. He set the pace all weekend, but made a mistake on his qualifying lap and got sandwiched between the two Yamahas, with Rossi on pole. However, he soon showed his pace and outran them - and the Yamahas fell at different points of the race, handing him the championship a little earlier than expected.
Dani Pedrosa, the winner here last year, broke his collarbone during practice and had to watch from the sidelines. Andrea Iannone was hopeful of rejoining the MotoGP circus at Motegi but it wasn't to be - he will now join it at Phillip Island. Twin Ring Motegi is considered to be Honda's home race, and there is a lot of prestige associated with a win here - the Yamahas also usually vie for a win here because it is the only Japanese race on the calendar.
Second place was taken by Andrea Dovizioso on the Ducati, a podium from him being long awaited. The final podium place was taken up by Maverick Vinales aboard the Suzuki. The resurgent Cal Crutchlow was 'best of the rest' again, in fifth place.
Marc Marquez's win makes it his third title in four years. Next year with Vinales aboard the Yamaha and Lorenzo aboard the Ducati, there should be at least five true championship contenders - maybe more if the second Ducati rider, Dovizioso, and the Suzukis, manage to get better. It promises to be exciting!
