2013 MotoGP in Valencia: partying, Spanish style

The championship came down to the wire, with two riders within spitting distance of the trophy and only one who will walk away with all.

Spaniards Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo are title contenders both. They have been in the spotlight for this week’s final MotoGP race in Valencia. Marquez is the 20-year old phenomenon, the young gun with no fear in his eyes, aiming to become the youngest world champion in the premier class, and the only rookie world champion since Kenny Roberts did the feat back in 1978. Up against him was the defending champion, Jorge Lorenzo, in the rival Yamaha factory racing, out to put the pretender in his place.

Which scenario would play out in Valencia? Who will take home the glory?

As they lined up for the final 30-lap race of the season, Marquez was on pole on his Repsol Honda. Alongside him, Yamaha rider and defending champion, Jorge Lorenzo, while in third was Dani Pedrosa in the other Repsol Honda, and rounding up the top four is Valentino Rossi on his Yamaha.

Lorenzo got a huge jump at the start the race, taking the lead even before turn 1. Pedrosa, also on a quick getaway, took second and behind the pair was Marquez, who got away slow from the line. By lap 2, Pedrosa, under heavy braking, got the best of Lorenzo into turn 1, but Jorge quickly retook the lead by turn 2, never giving any quarters.  Lorenzo was a man possessed. Winning the race was the only thing on his mind, and anything else would not be acceptable.

While the pair was fighting for the lead, Marquez seemed to be comfortable riding in third, biding his time, and riding smart. He knows that all he needs to do is to finish fourth and the championship is his.

Lorenzo, who had the speed advantage, was controlling the pace, trying to get both Hondas to duke it out with the Yamaha, and possibly make an error that could help him win it all. Jorge refused to let anyone else lead the race. Whenever Pedrosa would make a move, he would quickly counter and re-take the position.

Lap 9 saw Lorenzo push Pedrosa out on the track, rubbing his tires on the sides of the Honda rider, causing his bike to twitch and nearly crash out. But Pedrosa regained his balance and kept pushing. The battle between the two was pure racing at its best.

Midway thru the race, Lorenzo was ordered by his team to slow it down, as his pace was too fast for their liking. Team Yamaha wanted him to engage his rivals in a side-by-side battle. The idea was that this might cause either or both Honda riders to make a mistake and falter. But neither rival rider took the bait. They rode their own race, and finished in formation behind Jorge Lorenzo.

By coming in third, Marquez has his name now inscribed in the record books: the youngest MotoGP World Champion, the first rookie World Champion since 1978, and Rookie of the Year.

If Marc keeps this up, he could well be the best MotoGP rider ever.

So party on Spain. Party like there’s no tomorrow for the new MotoGP Champion!