Marc Marquez finishes 2nd in Japan to claim MotoGP championship

Spain's Marc Marquez is sprayed champagne by race winner and compatriot Jorge Lorenzo, left, and third-placed Valentino Rossi of Italy, right, during the awarding ceremony of Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, north of Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. Honda rider Marquez defended his MotoGP championship on Sunday when he finished second in the Grand Prix of Japan behind compatriot Lorenzo. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Italy's rider Valentino Rossi walks in front of fans before a warm up session of the Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, north of Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) (The Associated Press)

Spain's Marc Marquez celebrates during the awarding ceremony of Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, north of Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. Honda rider Marquez defended his MotoGP championship on Sunday when he finished second in the Grand Prix of Japan behind compatriot Jorge Lorenzo. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) (The Associated Press)

MOTEGI, Japan – Honda rider Marc Marquez of Spain defended his MotoGP championship on Sunday when he finished second in the Grand Prix of Japan behind compatriot Jorge Lorenzo.

Marquez crossed the line 1.638 seconds behind Lorenzo to collect the crucial points for the world championship win. Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi of Italy completed the podium in third place.

Yamaha rider Lorenzo took his second successive victory with a time of 42 minutes, 21.259 seconds over 24 laps at the 4.801-kilometer (2.983 mile) Motegi circuit.

With three races left in the season, Marquez has 312 points, 82 points ahead of Rossi and Dani Pedrosa. Riders are awarded 25 points for a win.

The next race is at Phillip Island, Australia on Oct. 19.