After his vibrant ThaiGP victory last Sunday, sights are now set on the upcoming JapaneseGP. Here, we would like to go over every possible outcome that would make Marquez world champion once again. The race at the land of the raising sun will take place next week (21st of Octobre) at the Motegi circuit.

After Thailand’s Chang’s circuit race, Marquez leads the standings with 271 points, 77 more than runner-up and main contender Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso. With only 100 points up for grabs, the deciding race is upon us, and it might well be that Marc Marquez secures another world title in Japan.

Motegi, his first opportunity

At Motegi, the Spanish pilot will have his first and real chance to add a seventh motorcycling world title to his curriculum and a fifth one in the MotoGP category. Incidentally, it was also in the very same Japanese circuit that the 2014 and 2016 titles were decided for him.

With just four races to go until the end of the season (Japan, Australia, Malasia and Spain) the Motegi circuit could be once more the perfect background for the Catalan driver from Repsol Honda to add another entry to his long list of achievements.

If he wins in Thailand, this would be the third consecutive MotoGP victory for the Spaniard, a step closer to the record of seventh consecutive wins held by Yamaha’s Italian rival, Valentino Rossi. “Wherever it is but the sooner the better to win the title”, said the 25-year-old athlete.

Race outcomes that would give Marquez the title in Japan

As things stand, Marc Marquez just needs to finish no more than two points behind Dovizioso in Japan in order to secure the title. In practical terms, this means Marquez will be world champion as long as he wins the race or finishes in second to fourth position, as long as Dovizioso finishes behind him. From the fifth position onwards, the Italian might also finish ahead of Marquez and the title will still be secured for the Catalan pilot. These are all the outcome combinations for Marc to become champion in Japan:

1. He wins the race
2. He finishes 2nd and Dovizioso finishes 3rd or worse.
3. He finishes 3rd and Dovizioso finishes 4th or worse.
4. He finishes 4th and Dovizioso finishes 5th or worse.
5. He finishes 5th and Dovizioso finishes 4th or worse.
6. He finishes 6th and Dovizioso finishes 5th or worse.
7. He finishes 7th and Dovizioso finishes 5th or worse.
8. He finishes 8th and Dovizioso finishes 6th or worse.
9. He finishes 9th and Dovizioso finishes 7th or worse.
10. He finishes 10th and Dovizioso finishes 8th or worse.
11. He finishes 11th and Dovizioso finishes 9th or worse.
12. He finishes 12th and Dovizioso finishes 10th or worse.
13. He finishes 13th and Dovizioso finishes 11th or worse.
14. He finishes 14th and Dovizioso finishes 12th or worse.
15. He finishes 15th and Dovizioso finishes 13th or worse.
16. He finishes out of points and Dovizioso finishes 14th or worse (as long as Rossi doesn’t win the race).

Looking at the above range of combinations there are reasons to be optimistic that Marquez’ title bid is practically a done deal.

Márquez has been one the most successful MotoGP riders of the later years with 40 wins, 67 podiums, 48 poles and 37 fastest laps amounting to a total of 4 world titles in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017. He also was world champion in 125cc in 2010 and in Moto2 in 2012.

The 25-year-old motorcycling prodigy, however, is in no way done extending his impressive list of honours and at Motegi, he might show the world just that. We will be watching closely to tell you all about it.

Photo: Marquez official twitter