Italy's Francesco Bagnaia won the
season-ending MotoGP Grand Prix in Valencia on Sunday to retain
his world title in style.
The Ducati factory rider went into the race with a 14-point lead
over his only remaining championship rival, Spaniard Jorge
Martin, meaning fifth place or better would suffice for him to
be sure of a second consecutive title.
He effectively sealed the deal on the sixth lap, when
Pramac-Ducati's Martin crashed out, ending what had been a
thrilling title race.
Bagnaia also had a stroke of luck later in the race when KTM's
Jack Miller fell while at the head of the pack, handing the
26-year-old the lead.
Gresini's Fabio Di Giannantonio and Pramac's Johan Zarco, both
on Ducatis, came second and third respectively.
"It's a dream," Bagnaia told Sky Sport.
"Saturday (when the sprint races are held) always give us
something to think about, but then on Sunday (in the main Grand
Prix) we are always the best".
Martin regular performed strongly in this season's sprints and
had upped the pressure by winning Saturday's sprint race in
Valencia to cut the Italian's lead to 14 points.
"I've always dreamed of winning the title by also winning the
race," Bagnaia said.
"It's fantastic. I could not have asked for better".
Premier Giorgia Meloni was among the first to pay tribute.
"Francesco Bagnaia was extraordinary, winning in Valencia and
staying on as MotoGP world champion for the second consecutive
year on his Ducati.
"Great 'Pecco', you made us dream again this year. Italian
pride".
Fans waved flags and set off red flares in Borgo Panigale, where
Ducati is based.
Hundreds of people were also celebrating in Bagnaia's home town
of Chivasso, in the province of Turin, where a big screen was
set up to show the race.
The 2023 Formula One season also ended on Sunday with Ferrari's
Charles Leclerc coming second at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to Red
Bull's three-time world champion Max Verstappen, who picked up
his 19th win of the season.
The Italian glamour team narrowly missed out on taking
second-place in the constructors championship, with George
Russell's third-place finish making sure Mercedes stayed ahead
of them.
Leclerc's team mate Carlos Sainz Jr finished out of the points
in 18th. Ferrari ended the season with 406 points, three fewer
than Mercedes, while Red Bull notched 860.
Leclerc finished fifth in the drivers' standings with 206
points, while Sainz came seventh with 200.
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