Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) won in Motegi (Japan) and won the first World Champion title with Michelin since the tire manufacturer's return to MotoGPTM.
Starting from second position on the grid, Marquez took the best start, but was overtaken at the first corner by Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and the former champion retained his place for the next three laps. Marquez took the attack to the 4the lap and regained control with better times, which was signed on 6e round. The Spaniard (23) increased his lead as the laps progressed, and while his main rivals Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Lorenzo both fell while trying to catch up with the leader, Marquez kept his cool to win your 3e title of MotoGP World Champion and the 5e world title of his career in Grand Prix.
The battle for the podium places was once again very intense, with Rossi and Lorenzo before their crashes, which left 2e place for Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) after a race full of mastery. The fight for 3e The place was even more bitter between two drivers from the same team, Maverick Viñales (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) finishing on the podium in front of his teammate Aleix Espargaro (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR). The first four had opted for MICHELIN Power Slicks medium at the front and soft at the rear, while the fifth and winner of the First Independent Team Rider where he leads the standings, Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), had chosen a hard at the front and soft at the back. Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) finished in 6the place ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) who signs his best result this season. Ducati riders Danilo Petrucci (OCTO Pramac Yakhnich) and Scott Redding (OCTO Pramac Yakhnich) finished in the 8e and 9e ranks ahead of Stefan Bradl (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) who completes the top-ten.
52 spectators attended this Grand Prix under beautiful sunshine and temperatures of 216°C and more than 25°C on the track. They warmly applauded Marc Marquez, first motorcycle world champion with Michelin since Nicky Hayden – also with Repsol Honda Team – in 37. Michelin will now take the management of Phillip Island in Australia and the 2006e round of the championship for which Michelin is title sponsor. The Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will take place on Sunday October 23.
Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team:
“The race was difficult because when you are fighting for the championship, it is hard to stay focused. I started the race at a good pace with my Michelin tires and I was able to attack from the start. Then when I saw Valentino out on the board, I decided to go for the win. Then when I saw Lorenzo also out, I lost my concentration a little, I couldn't wait to cross the finish line and celebrate! The tires worked really well in the race, the front tire temperature rose due to the different conditions today and I wasn't sure how they were going to perform, but everything worked well. I would like to thank my Michelin technician Patrick who did a very good job this season and who helped me understand Michelin tires, so a very big thank you to him, we make a great duo. The start of the season was a bit difficult because I had been driving with the same tires for a long time and when you change, you need time to understand the potential of the new products. The rear Michelin tire is incredible and I am very happy to be the first champion with Michelin in many years. Every time we go on track we learn more and we all did a good job this year. »
Nicolas Goubert – Deputy Director, Technical Director and MotoGP Program Supervisor, Michelin Motorsport:
“First of all, I want to congratulate Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team for the Drivers' World Title today. Marc led his season with intelligence and maturity. He was able to adapt very well to the Michelin tires in different conditions. So, on behalf of Michelin, well done to everyone. »
“This weekend was a new stage in our learning and we learned a lot. We know how to react and progress for the future. We were surprised by the low track temperatures and the time it took for the tires to warm up during the testing sessions. But we spoke with the teams and drivers to explain the situation. We will work on this for Motegi in 2017. Now for Australia. Everyone knows that tires are put to the test there. We are ready to take on the challenge, we carried out positive tests earlier in the year and have developed a specific tire for this circuit. It will also be the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, so it will be important to give the best in our own GP! »
