Marquez becomes youngest MotoGP World Champion

MARC Marquez made history at the final round of the MotoGP Championship in Valencia by
becoming the youngest ever rider to win the MotoGP World Championship.

Despite Jorge Lorenzo finishing first at the final round in Valencia and Marquez finishing in third position, the rookie still mathematically won the Championship by 4-points. 

Speaking at Valencia, the 20-year-old explained: “It was a really long race, maybe the longest of my career! At the start I was very nervous, I know I said I wasn’t but if I’m honest I really was. Jorge had a very good start, as usual, and I wasn’t sure which tactic to take.

"I followed Jorge and Dani and began to settle into the race. Then towards the end, I decided not to
push as I knew my position was secure and safe to take the Championship.”

The young Repsol Honda rider has broken numerous records during his rookie season in MotoGP, but Marquez has also become the first rookie to win the premier class World Championship since Kenny Roberts 35 years ago.

Marquez continued: “It has been a fantastic year, I am still in a dream! I really didn’t expect this at
the beginning and I am really so very happy. So thank you to all my team, my family and of course Honda and all our sponsors. The support from everyone and all my fans around the World has been incredible and I dedicate this Championship to you all!”

En-route to winning the Championship, Marquez has broken approximately 21 records including
the youngest rider in MotoGP history to claim pole positions, race victories and lap records. 

Although Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo was unable to retain his World Championship title for 2013, he commended Marquez on his achievement: “When I looked behind I could see that Valentino was very far away so I thought that today it was better to concentrate on winning the race and waiting to see if Marc makes a mistake.

"Now we have to celebrate second in the standings which is a good place. We have to congratulate
Marc because he really deserved the championship and we will make a party tonight!”

Marquez will remain with the Repsol Honda team for the 2014 season, continuing alongside team-mate Dani Pedrosa who finished third in the MotoGP World Championship.