2014 MotoGP Valencia Race Result

MotoGP round 18 was held in Valencia on 9th November, 2014. The day was filled with mixed emotions as everyone wanted this years championship to end, while some where sad it was the last race.

The race began with Valentino Rossi in pole position for the very first time since 2010. Besides him in second place was compatriot Andrea Iannone and completing first row was Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda.

Marc Marquez began the race in fifth position due to an accident during qualifying. It did not matter much to him has he had wrapped up the championship earlier. The downside was that he could not break the record for most pole positions in a single championship.

There was supposed to be an epic battle for second place in 2014 championship between Movistar Yamaha team mates. Rossi had an edge going into the final round with 12 point lead over Lorenzo. The Spanish rider did not qualify as intended, however, showed great race pace.

At the first turn of Valencia circuit Andrea Iannone took the lead with Valentino Rossi on his tail. Marc Marquez surprisingly made a decent getaway and was soon with the front runners. The drama then began with spots of rain appearing around the circuit. Teams frantically began setting up their second bikes for the wet weather.

Rossi and Iannone maintained their pace and opened up a lead, however, as the rain died away Marquez began piling the pressure and got close to them once again. The Spanish double champion soon overtook the Italian duo up front and opened up a lead.

Andrea Iannone's Pramac Ducati began to suffer with tyre wear and lost positions dramatically. Rossi meanwhile kept following Marquez and they both exchanged fastest lap after each other. The rain once again scared riders and Lorenzo and Iannone went into pit lane for a change of bike.

Valentino Rossi stayed out and followed Marquez, however, he soon realised he had to settle for second place. Marc Marquez won the race and is the only rider in the world to win 13 races in a single MotoGP season, the previous record was held by Australian Mick Doohan.

‘The Doctor' secured second position in the race and championship, as team mate Lorenzo did not finish the race. Dani Pedrosa completed the podium in third, making it a very successful year for Repsol Honda team.

Factory Ducati team had a good outing with Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow finishing in fourth and fifth place. Pol Espargaro on his satellite Yamaha finished the race ahead of his brother Aleix Espargaro and secured sixth position in the championship.

There will now begin a major reshuffle of riders and teams for next season and they will begin testing from Monday itself. Suzuki will be the only manufacturer that enters 2015 championship, while Aprilia has decided to come back in 2016 and KTM have planned for 2017 debut.