All eyes were on Marquez to see if he could overtake Lorenzo after his spat with Rossi who accused the two-time world champion of conspiring to help Lorenzo win the title.
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Rossi – the leader of the standings heading into the final event – could only muster a fourth-placed finish after being forced to start at the back of the grid following his tangle with Marquez in Sepang last time out. Both Pedrosa and Marquez were closing in on the first-placed Lorenzo, but their battle for second place allowed Lorenzo a few precious breathing space and he calmly took the chequered flag.
Lorenzo, speaking separately, said he regretted the thumbs- down gesture he made against his team mate on the Malaysian podium as the Italian collected the third-place trophy.
Lorenzo added to his MotoGP triumphs in 2010 and 2012, after wins in the 250cc category in 2006 and 2007. Setting off from a pole position that obliterated the former records, Lorenzo stuck closely to his classic recipe: get in front before the last turn and disappear into the distance.
“It was very emotional”. I did not expect Dani to come through so quickly, and when he passed me he ran wide. I was crying on the honour lap, it’s such a fantastic day for us.
Another interesting question came when Lorenzo was asked about his earlier statement in which he said this year’s title deserved to stay in Spain.
If Rossi had finished second he would have held on to the lead he had going into the Valencia race but it proved beyond the nine-time world champion. Besides, there was the pressure of having to make our own race; I think Dani also felt this. Now I am five-times world champion, it is easy to say but hard to do.
“From Thursday when I know I have to start last, the situation is quite desperate”, said Rossi.
Responding to Rossi’s suggestion that he had not given his best, Marquez said: “It’s complicated for a rider, of course, but I have a clear conscience and so do my team too”.
“It was my best lap ever and I couldn’t believe it when I saw the time”, Lorenzo told reporters. His only chance was if something happened to the riders ahead of him. I have to finish first or second to be more or less sure I can win the championship.
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The race had been overshadowed by controversy and bad blood since Malaysia, where Rossi allegedly kicked Marquez off his bike. The 21-year-old rider, who led by 24 points with 25 available to the victor in Valencia, looked set to seal the title but motorsport fans know anything can happen in one race. Later in 2008, despite being thrown from his bike during practice for the MotoGP Grand Prix in China, he finished fourth and showed his elegance in the game.
