Marquez clinches Moto3 title in third as Miller wins final race
Australian misses world championship by just two points.
Source: MotoGP.
Alex Marquez took the Moto3 title by crossing the line third at the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana, with Jack Miller winning the race ahead of Isaac Viñales.
A breathtaking 24-lap contest at the Spanish track saw Marquez doing enough to take the World Championship crown by two points, holding off a fight from Danny Kent in the final stages for the crucial last podium spot.
The championship triumph for Marquez means that he and older brother Marc Marquez, the MotoGP World Champion, are the first siblings to win world titles in grand prix racing.
Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo) produced another stunning ride for his sixth win and tenth podium of a remarkable season, but it was Marquez’s third place – also his tenth rostrum of 2014 – and the Spaniard’s consistency over the year that won the day.
Viñales (Calvo Team) was searching for his first career victory and held the lead provisionally, eventually being overtaken by Miller and finishing second by 0.155s.
Marquez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) was 0.617s in front of Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo) for third with the Englishman missing a gear in the final stages meaning he could not challenge the Spaniard on the line.
Also in the front running group were Alex Rins (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and Efren Vazquez (SaxoPrint-RTG), the Spanish pair crossing the line fifth and sixth respectively.
The top ten was completed by pole man Niccolo Antonelli (Junior Team GO&FUN), Miguel Oliveira (Mahindra Racing), Brad Binder (Ambrogio Racing) and Karel Hanika (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
Albert Arenas (Calvo Team) was an early crasher, but remounted to finish the race. Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA Racing Team) also fell and was taken to the medical centre for checks.
Scott Deroue (RW Racing GP) was forced into the pits with a technical issue, while Jules Danilo (Ambrogio Racing) fell while chasing points.
As the battle between Marquez and Miller reached its climax, Jorge Navarro (Marc VDS Racing Team) and Niklas Ajo (Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo) both crashed.
2014 MotoGP World Championship
Round 18 – Valencia, Spain
Moto3 race results:
1. Jack MILLER (AUS)
2. Isaac VIÑALES +0.155s
3. Alex MARQUEZ +0.955s
4. Danny KENT +1.572s
5. Alex RINS +2.251s
6. Efren VAZQUEZ +2.508s
7. Niccolò ANTONELLI +3.620s
8. Miguel OLIVEIRA +4.216s
9. Brad BINDER +4.248s
10. Karel HANIKA +4.363s
Moto3 championship standings:
1. Alex MARQUEZ 278
2. Jack MILLER (AUS) 276
3. Alex RINS 237
4. Efren VAZQUEZ 222
5. Romano FENATI 176
6. Alexis MASBOU 164
7. Isaac VIÑALES 141
8. Danny KENT 129
9. Enea BASTIANINI 127
10. Miguel OLIVEIRA 110
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