Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia won the season-ending Valencia GP to retain his MotoGP title after his only rival Jorge Martin crashed out early in the race.
Pramac Racing’s Martin clipped Marc Marquez’s Honda in the sixth lap, causing both drivers to crash out and hand Bagnaia the title.
The Italian was leading and unaware of the incident but went on to win anyway. Martin needed to win and Bagnaia finish outside the top five in order to claim a first MotoGP crown.
The Spaniard, who began the race 14 points adrift of Bagnaia, made a fine start, surging from sixth on the grid to second behind his rival.
However, on the second lap he dropped back to eighth after clipping Bagnaia’s bike, although he was able to stay in the race.
A few laps later a second collision, this time with Marquez, ended his race.
