The return and the rookie
The scene for the 2013 MOTOGP season is firmly set. Valentino Rossi, 9-time WORLD CHAMPION on two wheels returns to Yamaha, after having thriven to four titles with the Japanese outfit between 2004 and 2010. Reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo recieves the demanding task of beating Rossi, now again his teammate. He did it in 2010, but lost out the year before. Then, the Honda duo: Daniel Pedrosa, twice a runner-up and Marc Márquez, THE rookie, eye the prize. With seven races in the history books, where the quartet shared victories, Pedrosa is leading the standings. A decisive twist arrives at the anti-clockwise Sachsenring. During the German event, Lorenzo and Pedrosa both injure themselves and are forced to stay in their garages. Márquez wins the race: his second triumph in the premier class after becoming its youngest winner at the Circuit of the Americas. Next, the Spanish rookie secures another three successes in a row, including a memorable episode…
One fine move
The famous Corkscrew, Laguna Seca's Turn 9, lights up battles for position in every motorsport series the venue has hosted. The 2013 edition would be the last to date for MOTOGP. Stefan Bradl took his maiden pole position and kept the lead at lights out. On lap 4, the picture of the race was shot. Marc Márquez, closing in on Valentino Rossi, made his way around the outside in a classic Corkscrew manouvre, got by the Italian and started to chase Bradl. He passed him 15 laps later and took the chequered flag first under the Californian sunshine. After the mentioned four wins, though, Lorenzo fights back but merely closes the gap. In Australia, Márquez has his first match point with three races left. Following unsafe tarmac conditions, a mid-race bike swap becomes mandatory. Erratically, Márquez enters the pits one lap too late. As a result, he is disqualified and loses his championship lead to a great extent, but stays on top.
Glory
At Motegi, Yamaha secure their 200th victory of the category on home soil with Lorenzo. However, his Honda rival remains on his heels in second. Pedrosa's thrid position eliminates himself form the title race, one which Rossi never really entered, as he regulary finished behind the trio. Valencia will decide both championships, since the manufacturer's one is open as well. Márquez grabs his 9th pole in 18 races. Lorenzo is first and ahead of Pedrosa when the conclusive laps finally emerge, putting the 20 year-old rookie under pressure, strong pressure. Rossi is close to the podium, yet not in striking distance. Thus, there is one spot left on the podium which goes to… Márquez. He supremly maintains his championship-earning P3 and becomes the youngest MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPION and his team Honda, clinch the constructors' crown! This triumph will be followed by the first ten races of 2014, all won by, you may guess it, Marc Márquez.