October 10, 2010 went down in history as one of the most glorious days in the history of motorcycling for Spain. In Sepang , during the early morning on the Iberian Peninsula, the MotoGP and Moto2 titles were certified.
Toni Elías opened his mouth by being the first to register his name in the list of winners of the recently created intermediate category. The bet of going down from MotoGP to be Moto2 champion had worked out perfect for him, getting the title and the ticket to go back up in 2011.
Tony Elias
A while later came the main course with MotoGP. Jorge Lorenzo had been having an immaculate season, with seven wins and 12 podiums in 14 races. He needed to score 7 points to be champion, since his main opponent, Dani Pedrosa , had been injured a week before in Japan and did not race in Malaysia.
The Balearic Islands, virtually champion, had already had the first opportunity to be in Motegi , but could not take advantage of it. However, he arrived at Sepang determined to add his third title, in the same scenario where he won the second in 250cc in 2007.
On Saturday he achieved pole position and on Sunday it was worth finishing 9th, something apparently simple since his worst result to date was two fourth positions.
Lorenzo started well and kept the first position until the ninth lap. Then, Andrea Dovizioso overtook him without too much opposition from the Spaniard. One lap later, Valentino Rossi – who had been coming back – also overtook his teammate. Il Dottore had just achieved his 105th victory, the first since he was injured that year at the Italian Grand Prix and the last in more than two years until he returned to Yamaha after passing through Ducati.
Lorenzo crossed the finish line third and with it he was proclaimed MotoGP world champion, the second Spaniard to do so since Alex Crivillé achieved it in 1999 then in 500cc.
“I am exhausted and super happy to bring this title to Spain and especially to Mallorca. Winning the MotoGP title is the most that a rider can achieve. I especially appeal to all the people who have a dream. I think that everything The world has a talent in life. It’s just a matter of finding it, trying your hardest, having blind faith in yourself and not caring too much what others think. That’s how you get these things”, declared the #99 as soon as he got off the the motorcycle to TVE .
Click on the photos to enjoy Lorenzo’s celebration in a big way
Photo by: Bridgestone Corporation
Photo de: Bridgestone Corporation
Photo by: Bridgestone Corporation
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo de: Yamaha Motor Racing
As if all this were not enough, with the result of the 125cc race –which had opened the day–, mathematically, only a Spaniard could be champion. Marc Márquez won and took the lead, but Pol Espargaró and Nico Terol still had options. Not so Bradley Smith , the fourth in contention, who was 76 points behind the lead with 75 at stake.
Although the 125cc champion was not decided until the last Grand Prix in Valencia , the first triplet of titles in the history of Spain was sealed on October 10, 2010.
