Jorge Lorenzo wins in Japan to delay Marc Marquez's MotoGP title bid
The defending champion takes victory to keep the title chase alive, but his fellow Spaniard is in the driving seat with one race left
World champion Jorge Lorenzo won the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of championship leader Marc Marquez on Sunday to ensure the MotoGP title race goes down to the final round of the season at Valencia next month.
The Yamaha rider rode a brilliant race from pole, holding off rookie Marquez for 22 laps at the Motegi Twin Ring track and frustrating his fellow Spaniard's championship ambitions for the second week in a row.
Honda rider Marquez still leads the championship by 13 points, however, and a fourth place finish in Spain on November 10 would guarantee him as the youngest champion in the 64 years of the premier class of grand prix racing.
The 20-year-old's teammate Dani Pedrosa finished third, ending his slim hopes of winning the title, while Honda's Alvaro Bautista ensured a Spanish sweep of the top four places.
"This track is normally better for them so winning here in Honda's home race ... is a pleasure," Lorenzo said.
"It's been a really hard, physical race but I really kept my concentration and I really wanted this victory."
A first bid to seal the title at Phillip Island in Australia a week ago ended with disqualification for Marquez after a mistake by his team and victory for Lorenzo.
