Lorenzo Secures Title Number Three In Sensational Season Finale

Nov 8, 2015
5 min read

Jorge Lorenzo was crowned the 2015 MotoGP World Champion after a sensational final Grand Prix that saw the Spaniard hounded the whole way by the Honda of Marc Marquez, and later Dani Pedrosa.

The Spaniard started from pole position after putting in, what he described as, his best lap ever and looked in prime position to streak clear into the sunset. The opening half of the race saw Lorenzo keep and honest gap of around six tenths to the chasing RC213V of his young countryman. Marquez began upping his pace as the front tyre began to come back to him and cut the gap to three tenths as the laps started counting down into single figures.

It appeared Lorenzo had worked his rubber too hard trying to break the Honda rider's resolve, Marquez in turn doing the same trying to keep pace with the Yamaha. All of this allowed Pedrosa, who'd dropped his pace to manage his tyres, to reel the pair in. By the penultimate lap he'd closed the advantage down to nine tenths, and went for a move on his team-mate at turn eight. The pair nearly collided and this gave Lorenzo just a slight reprieve heading into the final lap.

The internet exploded into conspiracy zone as people questioned Marquez' tactics. It's worth noting that, had Lorenzo finished second, he'd still have won the title. Marquez got close to Lorenzo again on the final lap, but couldn't find a way by and so Marquez made sure he defended his second place from Pedrosa. Marquez did this at turn eight and chased after Lorenzo, but his effort was in vane and he was resigned to second. Pedrosa couldn't strike back and crossed the line third to take his 100th premier class podium, becoming only the second man to do so.

Valentino Rossi' start from the back of the grid was always going to make his task more difficult, but he gave it a damn good go nonetheless! The Italian shot off the line like a scalded cat and gained ten spots on the opening lap. Nicky Hayden, Yonny Hernandez and Alvaro Bautista fell victim to Rossi on the following tour, whilst Stefan Bradl on the second Aprilia was consumed into turn one.

Rossi's charge was made a little easier when compatriot Andrea Iannone fell going through turn twelve on the third lap. Rossi had just passed Iannone's team-mate Michele Pirro at turn eight, and was soon on the case of Tech 3 Yamaha rider Bradley Smith. The Briton was mugged at turn eight on the fifth lap, and Rossi was onto the tail of Danilo Petrucci's Pramac Ducati soon after. His friend posed no challenge and waved him through at turn two on the following lap.

With eighteen laps still to run, Rossi had fought his way up to fourth and could do nothing more from there as the leaders had darted away. From then on all he could do was stay mounted and hope something went awry for his team-mate. It was not to be, and for the first time in 2015 Valentino Rossi lost the points lead of the Championship. Title number ten may have slipped away, possibly forever, but Rossi's ride today has created no doubt towards his credentials as the greatest of all time.

Pol Espargaro ended his season on a positive note after beating team-mate Smith to a fine fifth, which sees the Spaniard take ninth in the standings. Smith also ended his 2015 campaign on a high, becoming only the fourth rider in history to finish every race of a premier class season in the points. This is just another accolade, along with top Satellite honours in the Championship, that boosts Smith's chances of a full-Factory ride in the future.

Compatriot Cal Crutchlow 'did a Rossi' and came from the back of the grid after suffering engine problems prior to the start. He was able to start the race from the back of the grid and fought through brilliantly to finish ninth and cement his eight position in the standings. Scott Redding will glad to see the back of 2015 and his RC213V after another woeful race on the unwieldy Honda saw him a lowly fifteenth.

He can take solace in the fact that the GP15 he'll be riding next season finished a respectable seventh in Andrea Dovizioso's hands, whilst future Pramac team-mate Danilo Petrucci completed the top ten. The Italian aimed for a top ten finish in the standings, and after an excellent season for him he did just that. Just to dangle the carrot in front of him for next year, he was only one point adrift of Pol Espargaro.

Suzuki's first season back in Grand Prix racing ended with a slightly disappointing eighth for Aleix Espargaro and eleventh for Maverick Vinales. But the team can be happy with their eleventh and twelfth in the rider's standings and have laid a sturdy foundation upon which to build a better season in 2016. Watch this space.

The other returnee, Aprilia, got one bike into the points in the shape of Alvaro Bautista in fourteenth, whilst Stefan Bradl missed out in eighteenth. They finished the season sixteenth and eighteenth in the standings respectively, which is a very respectable job on a development project.

Hector Barbera wrapped up the Open class crown thanks to a sixteenth place finish and a non-points score for Loris Baz. The Spaniard was helped a little by the French rider's inexperience and Forward Racing's absence from Indianapolis, but no less rode a great season. Forward would have hoped for some points on their final premier class outing but can be proud of their efforts amidst financial uncertainty. Baz will definitely be one to watch in 2016 aboard the Ducati.

Nicky Hayden's final Grand Prix ended in seventeenth, a sad end to a wonderful MotoGP career. The Superbike paddock has definitely gained a big talent and all-round wonderful individual.

2015 Valencia Grand Prix Result:

1st Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

2nd Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team

3rd Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team

4th Valentino Rossi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

5th Pol Espargaro, Monster Yamaha Tech 3

6th Bradley Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech 3

7th Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team

8th Aleix Espargaro, Suzuki Team Ecstar

9th Cal Crutchlow, LCR Honda

10th Danilo Petrucci, Octo Pramac Racing Ducati

11th Maverick Vinales, Suzuki Team Ecstar