Lorenzo’s final ride in MotoGP

– A MotoGP season dominated once again by Marc Marquez rolls to a close in Valencia this weekend with a fond farewell for another Spaniard, former champion Jorge Lorenzo (above) who announced his retirement on Thursday.

Marquez has undoubtedly been the star of the season, winning 11 races so far and wrapping up his sixth world title with four races to spare.

Nobody has come close to his speed and consistency.

Since the Spanish GP in Jerez at the start of May, Marquez has finished either first or second in every race, an achievement that fast-tracked Honda to its eighth constructors’ championship and fourth in a row.

The 26-year-old has done it on the much-maligned RC213V which has been criticised for its handling.

No surprise then to see Marquez planning to use Valencia as something of a test drive for next season.

“We are looking to 2020 already and continuing to try some options while we have this time before we go into test mode after the race,” he said.

Surprisingly, given that he has won 55 MotoGPs since joining the circuit in 2013, Marquez has only one victory in 2014 to show for his work in Valencia.

His Honda team-mate Lorenzo, by contrast, has won it four times in a distinguished career that saw him crowned world champion three times.

The 32-year-old, though, has not had the best of seasons – he has mustered just 25 points and sits 19th in the standings.

Lorenzo has never quite come to terms with the awkwardness of the RC213V and his season has been dogged by injuries and falls.

At Assen in June he fractured a spinal vertebrae during a crash in practice, causing him to miss three races.

“This will be my last race in MotoGP and at the end of the race I will retire as a professional racer,” he said on Thursday.

With Lorenzo’s departure opening up a seat at Honda, there may be an added zip in the Valencia race as riders try to make an impression, none more so than the Frenchman Johann Zarco whose career appeared to be over until Honda threw him a lifeline.

British rider Cal Crutchlow and Japan’s Takaaki Nakagami are having thoughts of an upgrade and another Frenchman, Fabio Quartararo, also wants to lay down a marker for next season. – AFP