MotoGP: 2013 Air Asia Grand Prix of Japan

Japan’s Twin Ring Motegi circuit played host to the penultimate round of the 2013 MotoGP season. From the riders’ form during qualifying, few fans can be forgiven in thinking that Marc Marquez would be crowned the youngest champion in the premier class in Japan. He was outstanding during Saturday, slotting his Repsol Honda between pole sitter and defending champion Jorge Lorenzo in his Yamaha, and Nicky Hayden on board his Ducati.

Lorenzo, using the Bridgestone medium compounds for the front and extra soft for his rear tires, was looking to race away from the pack, while both Repsol Hondas were using front medium compound and the soft compound for the rear. Nicky Hayden on his Ducati was using the same combination as the Hondas.

As the lights went out, Lorenzo had a fantastic start heading into turn 1, while Marquez popped a slight wheelie which cost him a few tenths and the chance to jump Lorenzo at the start. Valentino Rossi, who started in fifth, also had a cracking start and eventually found himself in second place before the end of the first lap. Lorenzo slowly built up a buffer of 0.8 seconds ahead of his teammate, while Nicky Hayden who began the race on 3rd place, was gobbled up by the other riders and dropped down to 10th place halfway through the opening lap.

It was apparent that Rossi was going to assist his team mate by being a rolling chicane, and in doing so, slowing the run of both Hondas. Unfortunately, on lap 2 Rossi overshot his braking point into turn 11 and ran wide onto the gravel, dropping him down the order to 11^th, promoting Marquez and Pedrosa to 2nd and 3rd place, respectively. Marquez then started hunting down Jorge Lorenzo lap after lap, shadowing the Yamaha rider all throughout.

This went on for some time. Everyone in attendance, plus the fans glued to their TVs, were expecting a battle with no quarter given by either rider.

During the latter part of the race, Marquez would get out of shape under heavy braking. His bike would wobble and rob him of the speed he needs out of the corner, thus enabling Jorge Lorenzo to keep him at bay. Dani Pedrosa quietly went on with his race, anticipating a mistake by either of the front-runners.

Jorge Lorenzo started well and finished the race without any drama or mistake. He even notched up the fastest lap at 1:45.736 on lap 16.  Lorenzo rode to near perfection and by doing so, retained the chance to bag the title in Valencia on November 10.

As they stand, Marquez still leads Lorenzo by 13 points. Lorenzo now needs to win in Valencia and Marquez to come in 5th or lower. Any other scenario and we would have a rookie crowned as the MotoGP World Champion.