The Japan Times - Bezzecchi claims Valencia MotoGP victory in season-ender

The 27-year-old sealed third place in the championship in the sprint on Saturday and, starting on pole, edged out Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse) to celebrate in style.

Bezzecchi also triumphed last weekend in Portugal as Aprilia sealed back-to-back Grand Prix victories for the first time.

The Italian's third place also gave Aprilia their first top-three championship finish.

Marc Marquez clinched his seventh world title with five events to spare in Japan in September. His brother Alex sealing second place overall in October.

"I had a lot of fun," said Bezzecchi.

"It was tough but I am very, very happy, for the work the team did and I can't hope for a better way to finish the season and now we have to celebrate for sure."

Fernandez overtook sprint winner Alex Marquez on the 12th lap to move up to second, still moe than a second behind Bezzecchi.

On his Ducati, Fabio Di Giannantonio pipped Pedro Acosta (KTM) to third.

Francesco Bagnaia, MotoGP champion in 2022 and 2023, finished a bitterly disappointing season early following contact caused by Johann Zarco on the first lap.

The French Honda rider was issued a long lap penalty as Bagnaia, who finished fifth in the championship, headed back to the pits.

Aprilia's Jorge Martin, competing in his first Grand Prix since a collarbone fracture at the Japanese Grand Prix in September, also left the race early as he had indicated he would on Saturday.

The 2024 champion, having served a double long lap penalty at the start, finished his injury-hit campaign after completing 15 laps, to conserve energy before testing next week.

"Aprilia Racing has decided to withdraw Jorge Martin from the race as a precaution," said his team in a statement.

T.Kobayashi--JT