MOTEGI: An emotional Marc Marquez said he was "at peace" with himself after winning his first MotoGP world title since 2019 on Sunday, capping a remarkable comeback from years of injury struggles.
The Spaniard finished second at the Japan Grand Prix behind fellow Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia to clinch his seventh world title with five events to spare.
From Injury to Glory
It marked a triumphant return from a grueling battle with injuries that began when he broke his right arm in 2020 — an ordeal that almost forced him to retire.
The 32-year-old said his title was "written in the stars" but admitted he had doubted whether he would return to the top.
"Of course I feel happy, but the first feeling is that I feel at peace with myself," he said.
"It was Marc against Marc for five years, Marc against injury, but especially on the mental side it was difficult.
"I took super difficult decisions, but I closed the circle in the perfect way," he added.
Marquez has been in brilliant form all year and knew that finishing first or second in Japan would seal the title regardless of where his brother and closest championship rival, Alex, finished.
Records and Rivalries
He wrapped up the world championship in Japan for the fourth time in his career — following triumphs in 2014, 2016 and 2018 — and now draws level with Italian motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi on seven titles.
After crossing the line, Marquez raised both arms aloft before sobbing and shouting as his achievement began to sink in.
"One of the good things about humans is you can’t forget the bad moments," he said. "It’s difficult to forget because even today, I feel it some days. But the dream comes true."
Marquez has 11 Grand Prix wins so far this year, and his championship points total had already set a single-season record for a MotoGP rider before the Japan weekend.
Bagnaia Pays Tribute
Bagnaia claimed only his second Grand Prix win of what has been a frustrating season for the two-time world champion.
The Italian also won Saturday’s sprint and looked back to his best all weekend. He paid tribute to Marquez’s achievement, saying Marquez "did amazing things this season."
"He was starting in a fantastic way, then he had two or three races where he needed to calm down a bit," Bagnaia said. "Then he was a machine for the rest of the season, so congratulations to him."
Bagnaia started the race from pole and held his lead into the first turn, with Marquez maintaining his position from third on the grid.
Marquez overtook Pedro Acosta to move into second just before the halfway mark, and from there it was a procession to the title.
Bagnaia had a scare when smoke started coming from his Ducati with about nine laps remaining, but he held on to win in Japan for the second year in a row.
Honda’s Joan Mir finished third, followed by Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi. Alex Marquez came in sixth.
Marc Marquez is in his first season with Ducati and said it had been "a very long journey" to the championship.
"We took some difficult, important decisions but always followed my instincts," he said. "The people around me helped a lot to make those decisions, but just to give me the chance to follow my instincts."
Outgoing world champion Jorge Martin was ruled out of the Grand Prix after fracturing his collarbone in a crash with teammate Bezzecchi in Saturday’s sprint.
Trackhouse’s Japanese rider Ai Ogura was denied a first MotoGP appearance at his home race after withdrawing with a hand injury.
