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MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar 2019: Race Schedule, Live Stream and Top Riders

Mar 8, 2019
DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 01: Alex Marquez of Spain and EG 0,0 Marc VDS rounds the bend during Moto2 & Moto3 Tests - Day One at Losail Circuit on March 01, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 01: Alex Marquez of Spain and EG 0,0 Marc VDS rounds the bend during Moto2 & Moto3 Tests - Day One at Losail Circuit on March 01, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Marc Marquez will begin the defense of his MotoGP title at the 2019 Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday.

Marquez faces familiar competition from names such as Valentino Rossi, Maverick Vinales and Andrea Dovizioso. It was the latter who finished ahead of Honda rider Marquez in last year's race.

        

Race Schedule

Friday, March 8

  • Free Practice 1: 12:40 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. GMT/7:40 a.m. to 8:25 a.m. ET
  • Free Practice 2: 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. GMT/12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 9

  • Free Practice 3: 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. GMT/7:15 a.m. to 8 a.m. ET
  • Free Practice 4: 4:20 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. GMT/11:20 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. ET
  • Q1: 5 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. GMT/12 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. ET
  • Q2: 5:25 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. GMT/12:25 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 10

  • Warm-Up: 12:40 p.m. to 1 p.m. GMT/7:40 a.m. to 8 a.m. ET
  • Race: 5 p.m. GMT/12 p.m. ET

Live-Stream Links: BT Sport App, beIN Sports CONNECT.

The spotlight will naturally be on Marquez, with few able to keep pace with the six-time champion. Even so, the Spaniard may not be at his best following shoulder surgery he underwent back in December.

While surgery was successful, the 26-year-old revealed the procedure was "more aggressive and more difficult" than he expected. Marquez has since admitted he is "almost 100 percent" ahead of the first race on the season's calendar, per Haydn Cobb of Crash.net.

However, the obvious boost for Marquez comes from Honda signing Jorge Lorenzo as his new team-mate. Lorenzo won the last of his three titles in 2015, the only interruption to Marquez's recent dominance.

Any signs of weakness from Marquez are sure to be exploited by his talented and experienced rivals. Dovizioso already knows what it takes to beat the Spaniard, and the Ducati veteran sounds confident ahead of the weekend.

The 32-year-old Italian revealed how he has prepared for the new season, per GPOne.com: "I've also made some important changes to my training and dietary regimes."

Marquez pushed Dovizioso all the way in 2018, but the Ducati rider can hold his nerve as well as any rider in close races.

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 07: Andrea Dovizioso of Italy and Ducati Team loks on during press conference pre-event during MotoGP of Qatar - Previews at Losail Circuit on March 07, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 07: Andrea Dovizioso of Italy and Ducati Team loks on during press conference pre-event during MotoGP of Qatar - Previews at Losail Circuit on March 07, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Speaking of experience, not many competitors can match 40-year-old Rossi's know-how. The question for the seven-time champion is whether his bike will be up to scratch to help put an end to the relentless pursuit of his record Marquez has undertaken in recent years.

Rossi thinks Yamaha is headed in the right direction, according to Crash.Net's Peter McLaren. As McLaren noted, Rossi, who was third on the podium in 2018, didn't manage a single win last season, and race speed this weekend will go a long way to determining the extent of the improvements his team has made.

While the regular contenders appear strong, Marquez is still the man to beat. However, the concerns about his fitness are reason enough to believe he will begin his campaign just short of the top spot, with Dovizioso likely to repeat his heroics from 12 months ago.

MotoGP Grand Prix 2019 Season Schedule, Start Times, Locations and More

Mar 4, 2019
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - FEBRUARY 07: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team rounds the bend during the MotoGP Tests In Sepang at Sepang Circuit on February 07, 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - FEBRUARY 07: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team rounds the bend during the MotoGP Tests In Sepang at Sepang Circuit on February 07, 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

The 2019 MotoGP season kicks off next weekend with the Qatar Grand Prix at the Losail International Circuit.

The first of 19 races, Qatar will open proceedings before the action moves west for weekends in Argentina and the United States in March and April.

A long stint in Europe then follows, ahead of visits to Thailand, Japan, Australia and Malaysia before the closing race in Valencia, Spain, on November 17.

Three-time defending champion Marc Marquez is the favourite to take the title come the end of the season as he looks for a sixth career world championship.

However, there is plenty of competition for the Spaniard in the 2019 field, including new Repsol Honda team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, 2017 and 2018 runner-up Andrea Dovizioso, Yamaha's Maverick Vinales and, of course, veteran champion Valentino Rossi.

Here is the full schedule for the 2019 campaign:

All race-day timings can be found at MotoGP.com.

                   

Marquez has hardly enjoyed a relaxing offseason. He underwent surgery on his left shoulder in December after a number of dislocations in the 2018 season.

Six weeks of recovery then ensued before the first pre-season test in Sepang, Malaysia, early in February.

After testing in Qatar last week, the 26-year-old said Honda were "on a good level to the fight for the podium" in the opening race of the season, per Jamie Klein of Motorsport.com.

DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 24: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team speaks with journalists in paddock during the MotoGP Tests - Day Two at Losail Circuit on February 24, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 24: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team speaks with journalists in paddock during the MotoGP Tests - Day Two at Losail Circuit on February 24, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

That is unlikely to fool anyone. Shoulder injury or not, Marquez will be going for the win at Losail.

It is far from his most successful circuit. He has only won there once in MotoGP, in 2014.

Lorenzo, meanwhile, is a three-time MotoGP winner in Qatar. But he is highly unlikely to be in the hunt for the top of the podium in 2019 as he is yet to adapt fully to his new bike and is still recovering from a wrist injury.

Yamaha's Vinales was the fastest rider in testing and will be confident of battling for victory in Qatar.

DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 25: Maverick Vinales of Spain and Yamaha Factory Racing heads down a straight during the MotoGP Tests - Day Three at Losail Circuit on February 25, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 25: Maverick Vinales of Spain and Yamaha Factory Racing heads down a straight during the MotoGP Tests - Day Three at Losail Circuit on February 25, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if the 24-year-old repeated his 2017 performance of winning the opening two races of the season.

The question will be whether he can maintain consistency throughout the season. If he can, Vinales will pose a serious threat to Marquez in the championship race.

His team-mate, Rossi, needs to find pace from somewhere fast if he is to compete in Qatar as he was not overly impressive in testing.

The seven-time MotoGP champion can never be written off, though. Even at 40 years old, he is sure to play his part throughout the 2019 season.

DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 23: Andrea Dovizioso of Italy and Ducati Team starts from box during the MotoGP Tests - Day One at Losail Circuit on February 23, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 23: Andrea Dovizioso of Italy and Ducati Team starts from box during the MotoGP Tests - Day One at Losail Circuit on February 23, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Then there is Ducati's Dovizioso. The 32-year-old Italian is entering his 12th season in MotoGP, but he is running out of opportunities to win a world title.

He has shown in the last two seasons he is perhaps Marquez's main rival, but consistency will again be key if he is to finally overhaul the Spaniard.

Getting an early victory under his belt in Qatar would be huge for Dovizioso, and he must take full advantage if there is any indication that Marquez is not yet at 100 per cent following his surgery. 

MotoGP Grand Prix of Valencia 2018 Results: Andrea Dovizioso Wins Chaotic Race

Nov 18, 2018
Team SUZUKI ECSTAR's Spanish rider Alex Rins (L) and Ducati Team's Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso compete during the MotoGP race of the Valencia Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo racetrack in Cheste, on November 18, 2018. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Team SUZUKI ECSTAR's Spanish rider Alex Rins (L) and Ducati Team's Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso compete during the MotoGP race of the Valencia Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo racetrack in Cheste, on November 18, 2018. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Andrea Dovizioso picked up his fourth win of the year on Sunday as he battled through wet conditions to win the 2018 MotoGP Grand Prix of Valencia at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain.

The final race of the season had to be restarted after the red flag was deployed following multiple crashes, but the Italian capitalised to take the chequered flag.

Alex Rins came in second, and Pol Espargaro rounded out the podium places, while Maverick Vinales' failure to finish ensured Valentino Rossi secured third place in the season standings.

A superb start from Rossi saw him climb six places in the first lap alone. At the head of the race, his team-mate Vinales did not fare as well, as he quickly slipped behind Rins, Dovizioso, Espargaro and Marc Marquez.

The racing quickly took a back seat as the conditions worsened, though, with the field struggling to stay on the track.

Aleix Espargaro crashed out at Turn 3 in the third lap before Jack Miller crashed on the same turn two laps later.

Danilo Petrucci was the next to succumb to water as Espargaro and Marquez followed in quick succession, albeit the former was able to continue:

BT Sport shared footage of Marquez's crash, which cause him to dislocate his shoulder:

The drama wasn't done there, and after Andrea Iannone, Vinales, Franco Morbidelli and Bradley Smith joined the others in the gravel, the red flag was finally deployed in Lap 15.

The race was restarted with just 15 riders based on the standings recorded two laps previously, with Smith also allowed to restart:

Dovizioso took the lead in the second lap of the restart, while Espargaro quickly shot up the standings at the expense of Dani Pedrosa: 

Rossi dove inside Rins at Turn 4 of Lap 7 to move up to second, but a slide into the gravel at Turn 12 four laps later put an end to his chances of leapfrogging his compatriot into top spot.

From there Dovizioso rode unchallenged to the finish line, while Espargaro secured his and KTM's first-ever podium finish at this level.

MotoGP Grand Prix of Valencia 2018: Race Schedule, Live Stream and Top Riders

Nov 16, 2018
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - NOVEMBER 04: Valentino Rossi of Italy and Movistar Yamaha MotoGP returns in box at the end of the MotoGP race during the MotoGP Of Malaysia - Race at Sepang Circuit on November 4, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - NOVEMBER 04: Valentino Rossi of Italy and Movistar Yamaha MotoGP returns in box at the end of the MotoGP race during the MotoGP Of Malaysia - Race at Sepang Circuit on November 4, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Marc Marquez will close out his championship campaign at the 2018 MotoGP Grand Prix of Valencia on Sunday. While the Spaniard has had the title wrapped up for weeks, there is still something to be decided when riders take to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo for the final race of the season.

Specifically, Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi are still contesting third place. It's the only meaningful issue at stake with Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso already confirmed in second.

Here's the schedule for race weekend, along with viewing information:

           

Friday, November 16

  • 8:55 a.m. GMT/3:55 a.m. ET: Free Practice 1
  • 1:05 p.m. GMT/8:05 a.m. ET: Free Practice 2

        

Saturday, November 17

  • 8:55 a.m. GMT/3:55 a.m. ET: Free Practice 3
  • 1:10 p.m. GMT/8:10 a.m. ET: Qualifying 1
  • 1:35 p.m. GMT/8:25 a.m. ET: Qualifying 2

         

Sunday, November 18

  • 8:40 a.m. GMT/3:40 a.m. ET: Warm-Up
  • 1 p.m. GMT/8 a.m. ET: Race

        

TV Info: BT Sport 2

Live Stream: BT Sport App, beIN Sports Connect

          

Even with another title to his credit, Honda's Marquez was a winner last time out. He crossed the line first in Malaysia on November 4, with Vinales down in fourth and Dovizioso sixth.

Rossi was as far back as 18th, denying the decorated rider the chance to test Marquez with the championship pressure off:

However, the Italian has motivation to do better in Spain. He famously rode from the back to fourth in the 2015 edition of this race despite a penalty incurred for a clash with Marquez two weeks earlier, per Motorcycle.com's Bruce Allen.

Rossi is Allen's pick to secure third ahead of Vinales, who is only two points behind his fellow Yamaha rider. The Spaniard was a winner in Australia in October, and he has the talent to lay down a marker to Marquez ahead of next season.

One thing counting in Vinales' favour is his affinity with the track in Valencia. The 23-year-old said the Ricardo Tormo Circuit "has a lay-out that suits my riding style very well," per Crash.net's Peter McLaren.

Vinales has his best years ahead of him, but 39-year-old Rossi will be anxious to prove he can still teach the competition a thing or two.

Rossi has his fans, including 2015 winner Jorge Lorenzo, who believes the veteran did enough at Sepang to show he has a lot left:

If Rossi is going to credibly push for a 10th world title next season, he must start unnerving Marquez and Dovizioso in Spain this weekend. 

MotoGP Grand Prix of Malaysia 2018 Results: Marc Marquez Takes 9th Win

Nov 4, 2018
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - NOVEMBER 04: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team celebrates the victory with flag at the end of the MotoGP race during the MotoGP Of Malaysia - Race at Sepang Circuit on November 4, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - NOVEMBER 04: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team celebrates the victory with flag at the end of the MotoGP race during the MotoGP Of Malaysia - Race at Sepang Circuit on November 4, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

World champion Marc Marquez was victorious yet again on Sunday, taking his ninth win of the 2018 MotoGP season at the Malaysian Grand Prix after Valentino Rossi crashed out of the lead of the race.

The two seemed set for a late battle at the front of the race when Rossi buckled under the pressure, hitting the tarmac with just a few laps to go:

The crash handed Marquez the race win on a platter, as he eased off the gas and beat compatriot Alex Rins and France's Johann Zarco to the finish line.

Rossi's crash also secured second place in the overall standings for Andrea Dovizioso with one race still to go. Repsol Honda locked up the constructor's title.

Here are the full race results:

Rossi made an excellent start to put himself at the front of the pack, while Marquez quickly navigated his way up the field after a grid penalty had pushed him back. He survived a scary moment in the opening stages, narrowly avoiding a crash and sending Andrea Iannone into a slide that ended his race.

The Italian and Spaniard quickly built a gap to the rest of the field, with Rossi the faster man initially. His lead grew to nearly two seconds before Marquez started eating into it, setting up a tense finale.

Fans likely expected an intense battle in the closing stages, but Rossi lost control before the two had the chance to engage. The reaction from the Yamaha garage was as expected:

He did return to the track to finish the race but did so well outside the points.

Despite the disappointing result, he drew praise from Jorge Lorenzo, who didn't race at Sepang. The Doctor thanked his old rival for the compliment:

Maverick Vinales showed his impressive speed in a late rise up to fourth place, and Dani Pedrosa took fifth. 

The 2018 MotoGP season will end in Valencia on November 18.

MotoGP Grand Prix of Malaysia 2018: Race Schedule, Live Stream and Top Riders

Nov 2, 2018
PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 28: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team during the 2018 MotoGP of Australia at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on October 28, 2018 in Phillip Island, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 28: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team during the 2018 MotoGP of Australia at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on October 28, 2018 in Phillip Island, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Repsol Honda can wrap up the team and constructor world championship titles at the 2018 MotoGP Grand Prix of Malaysia on Sunday, with superstar rider Marc Marquez already crowned as this season's champion.

Marquez collected his fifth world championship after winning in Japan, and the Spaniard now hopes to lead his team to further glory.

The 25-year-old crashed out in the last race in Australia after colliding with Johann Zarco. The calendar has only two events left, with Marquez hoping for a better luck to cap a magnificent campaign.

Here's how you can watch the action unfold at the Sepang International Circuit.

                                

Race Schedule                                            

Saturday, Nov. 3

MotoGP Q1: 7:10 a.m. GMT/3:10 a.m. ET

MotoGP Q2: 7:35 a.m. GMT/3:35 a.m. ET

                  

Sunday, Nov. 4

MotoGP WUP: 1:40 a.m. GMT/9:40 p.m. ET (Saturday)

MotoGP Race: 7 a.m. GMT/2 a.m. ET

BT Sport (UK) and BeIN Sports (U.S.) will carry coverage of the event. For live-stream options, access the BT Sport App or beIN Sports Connect.

                      

Top Riders

There's no doubting Marquez's pedigree as one of the greatest of all time since collecting his fifth MotoGP title in six years, but the competition will be heated in the final two races in Malaysia and Valencia.

A fight for second place might not sound like the most dramatic piece of theatre, but three world-class riders are battling it out.

Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales are all within 30 points of each other, ensuring there will be plenty of motivation left on the circuit in Sepang.

Vinales grabbed the victory in Australia, with Dovizioso in third and Rossi placing sixth.

The 23-year-old's win was Yamaha's first in 25 races.

Marquez wants to see his team complete their title charge on Sunday, with Repsol Honda suffering two DNFs in the previous race.

According to Haydn Cobb of Crash, the champion declared he is ready to push on and achieve further collective titles.

Marquez said:

"We had quite an eventful race in Australia and it was a pity we couldn't fight until the end, but that's gone now and we look forward to the next round in Malaysia with our usual spirit and positive mentality.

"We still have our target of two more titles to achieve, and we also want to try and win again if we have the chance to do so.

"Malaysia is a demanding round from a physical point of view but that's something we're prepared to deal with, so we'll keep our concentration high and try to start strong beginning on Friday morning."

MotoGP celebrated the riders via Twitter ahead of the forthcoming race:

Rossi will be attempting to earn his first win of the season in Malaysia; his Yamaha has failed to deliver him the speed he's needed to get to the top of the podium this year.

The racing icon has produced strong consistency throughout the campaign, but there has been a lack of competitive verve from the Italian over the past 12 months.

Repsol Honda have continued to shine, and with Marquez leading the charge, they have been irresistible for long periods.

Team-mate Dani Pedrosa has struggled to match Marquez's consistency and resides in 12th in the standings.

If Pedrosa can finish the season strongly, it should be a simple journey to overall victory for the team.

MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia 2018 Results: Yamaha's Maverick Vinales on Top

Oct 28, 2018
Winner Movistar Yamaha MotoGP's Spanish rider Maverick Vinales celebrates with Team Suzuki Ecstar's Italian rider Andrea Iannone (L), second, and Ducati Team's Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso, third, on the podium of the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 28, 2018. (Photo by PAUL CROCK / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)
Winner Movistar Yamaha MotoGP's Spanish rider Maverick Vinales celebrates with Team Suzuki Ecstar's Italian rider Andrea Iannone (L), second, and Ducati Team's Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso, third, on the podium of the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 28, 2018. (Photo by PAUL CROCK / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

Yamaha's Maverick Vinales produced an exceptional ride to win the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Sunday.

Vinales was the strongest rider in the second half of the race and did enough to hold off Suzuki's Andrea Iannone to take Yamaha's first win for 25 races. Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso came home in third.

Recently crowned world champion Marc Marquez started on pole on Sunday but pulled out of the race after a high-speed incident with Johann Zarco. Vinales' Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi had to settle for sixth.

This is the moment Vinales crossed the finish line:

Here are the results from Sunday's showdown at Phillip Island:

These are the MotoGP standings after the win:

Following a frantic start, Jack Miller led the way at the end of the first lap, although Marquez remained in close proximity and was quick to restore his lead.

However, just as the world champion appeared to be finding his groove, his chances were dashed after a crash with Zarco. The latter's front tyre and Marquez's rear tyre came into contact, prompting Zarco to be thrown from his bike. The Honda man somehow stayed upright but had to retire in the pits not long afterwards.

The MotoGP Twitter account posted a snap of the incident, which sent the Frenchman sliding through the gravel:

As the action continued, Vinales assumed control of the race, as he cut through the field to take the lead.

On Lap 6 he moved to the front and didn't look back, with the likes of Rossi, Iannone, Dovizioso and Alvaro Bautista all jostling for second place. It allowed Vinales to build a buffer of around four seconds to the rest of the field.

While Iannone and Dovizio did emerge from that group to put pressure on Vinales late on, the battling they had done for second meant that life had been taken from their tyres. As such, they were never seriously in a position to challenge for the victory.

In the end, the Yamaha man was able to hold off a fast-finishing Iannone with relative ease to clinch his first win since Le Mans in 2017. The triumph was a long time coming for Yamaha too:

This is what he had to say after the victory:

Victory for Vinales cements his spot in fourth in the world championship standings. He is now just 30 and 15 points behind Dovizioso and Rossi, respectively.

Next up for the competitors is the penultimate race of the campaign in Malaysia.

MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia 2018: Race Schedule, Live Stream and Top Riders

Oct 26, 2018
Spain's rider Marc Marquez celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the MotoGP Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, north of Tokyo, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Spain's rider Marc Marquez celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the MotoGP Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, north of Tokyo, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Marc Marquez will attempt to win the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix for the third time in four years when he arrives at the Phillip Island Circuit in Victoria on Sunday.

Marquez doesn't need the win, having already been crowned champion after crossing the line first in the last two races in Thailand and Japan earlier this month. The win in Japan was followed by him suffering a dislocated shoulder during the celebration.

Injury aside, Marquez is enjoying a run of dominance saluted by the Guardian's Richard Williams: "The Catalan's five MotoGP titles have come in the six seasons since he graduated from Moto2. As he is only 25, and there is no sign that success is taking the edge off his appetite..."

As good as he's been, the Honda man can expect a typically tough challenge from Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso. The Italian finished second in Thailand and at Aragon in Spain, with the latter finish coming after he had topped Marquez in San Marino.

Marquez is already enjoying another title.
Marquez is already enjoying another title.

Any challenge to the top two will likely come from Yamaha pair Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales. Rossi remains a fierce rival of the champion and criticised his approach recently.

Here's the schedule for race weekend, along with viewing information:

     

Saturday, October 27

  • 1:55 a.m. BST/8:55 p.m. ET(Friday): Free Practice 3
  • 5:30 a.m. BST/12:30 a.m. ET: Free Practice 4
  • 6:10 a.m. BST/1:10 a.m. ET: Qualifying 1
  • 6:35 a.m. BST/1:35 a.m ET: Qualifying 2

       

Sunday, October 28

  • 1:40 a.m. BST/8:40 p.m. ET (Saturday): Warm-Up
  • 5 a.m. GMT/1 a.m. ET: Race

       

TV Info: BT Sport 2

Live Stream: BT Sport App, beIN Sports CONNECT

        

The close nature of many of this season's races was best summed up by events in Thailand, per MotoGP Australia: "The most recent race in Thailand had a top four (Marquez, Dovizioso, Yamaha's Maverick Vinales and Rossi) split by just 1.564 seconds at the flag, Marquez winning by 0.115 seconds."

Marquez already having a fifth title in the bag doesn't mean there isn't also history at stake for his team. Repsol Honda has a 24th constructors championship in their sights.

Repsol Honda Team Spanish rider Marc Marquez takes part in the warm up ahead of the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Tochigi prefecture on October 21, 2018. - Honda's Marc Marquez stormed to victory in a nail-biting Japan
Repsol Honda Team Spanish rider Marc Marquez takes part in the warm up ahead of the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Tochigi prefecture on October 21, 2018. - Honda's Marc Marquez stormed to victory in a nail-biting Japan

The title can stay with Honda if Marquez maintains his impressive form on the Phillip Island track. Aside from winning the race in 2015 and '17, the Spaniard has also managed a pair of podium finishes and been on pole five times, per the team's official website.

Those numbers would intimidate many, but it's unlikely Rossi will be overawed. The 39-year-old won at Victoria back in 2014 and was second two years ago. Rossi knows how to overcome tough starts on this track.

He also knows how to stoke the fires of his rivalry with Marquez, having recently chided the champion for his style of riding, per Jack de Menezes of The Independent: "This is a very bad situation, because he destroyed our sport, because he (doesn't) have any respect for his rivals, never."

MOTEGI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 21: Valentino Rossi of Italy and Movistar Yamaha MotoGP on the grid during the MotoGP race during the MotoGP of Japan - Race at Twin Ring Motegi on October 21, 2018 in Motegi, Japan. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
MOTEGI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 21: Valentino Rossi of Italy and Movistar Yamaha MotoGP on the grid during the MotoGP race during the MotoGP of Japan - Race at Twin Ring Motegi on October 21, 2018 in Motegi, Japan. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Rossi is particularly irked by Marquez's apparent practice of squeezing other riders to the limits of the track. It will be fascinating to see what happens if the two cross paths directly on Sunday.

Dovizioso doesn't need the lure of making history to motivate him. Nor does he need to feel the confidence engendered by experience.

Instead, Dovizioso is likely to be keen to make amends after events in Japan, when he took a tumble on the second-to-last lap to help hand the title to Marquez. The incident was part of what has been a gruelling and at times frustrating season for Ducati's main man.

Dovizioso had a tough time in Japan.
Dovizioso had a tough time in Japan.

Dovizioso has been in and around the podium places for most of the campaign, also winning at Masaryk in the Czech Republic Grand Prix, before finishing third on the Red Bull Ring in Austria back in August. Overall, though, there has been a feeling Dovizioso has never quite had enough to seriously trouble Marquez on his path to another title.

Perhaps a win in Victoria can make the Italian believe next year will be the season Ducati can snap Honda's run.

Marc Marquez Crowned 2018 MotoGP World Champion After Japan Grand Prix Win

Oct 21, 2018
Repsol Honda Team Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates on the podium of the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Tochigi prefecture on October 21, 2018. - Honda's Marc Marquez stormed to victory in a nail-biting Japan race on October 21 to capture his third straight MotoGP world title. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)
Repsol Honda Team Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates on the podium of the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Tochigi prefecture on October 21, 2018. - Honda's Marc Marquez stormed to victory in a nail-biting Japan race on October 21 to capture his third straight MotoGP world title. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)

Repsol Honda star Marc Marquez was crowned 2018 MotoGP champion after winning the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday at Motegi to clinch his fifth world title.

Andrea Dovizioso came into Sunday's race trailing Marquez by 77 points, and any hope of a comeback wilted when he fell on the penultimate lap while attempting to keep pace with the eventual champion.

Britain's Cal Crutchlow took advantage late on and finished second, while Alex Rins, whose previous podium place came all the way back at the Dutch Grand Prix in July, finished third, per MotoGP:

Marquez took first place after a tough fight from the second row of Sunday's grid, with Dovizioso having wrapped up pole in qualification.

With only three races remaining this season, no rider can overcome the 102-point gap that separates him from his nearest competition, per Michelin Motorsport:

The pressure was on Marquez to seal victory on Sunday, but his advantage over his peers meant that he could afford to take risks other drivers could not.

Rins had an impressive race to third. As did eventual fourth-placed finisher Valentino Rossi. However, Italian rider Andrea Iannone pushed his hand too much and spun out at Turn 10 with only 10 laps left, as Fox Sports shared (U.S. only):

It was fitting that Marquez underwent at least some sort of test and wasn't allowed one of his more routine victories when everything was on the line, with Dovizoso making a battle of it for the most part.

He led for the majority but crucially slipped behind with only a few laps remaining. The desperation to claw back the lead resulted in Dozisozo's exit with a little more than a lap left:

Marquez deserved praise for his patience, and BT Sport's punditry team heralded the 25-year-old in the immediate aftermath:

The Spaniard has become just the ninth rider in history win win three world titles in succession and just the fourth to win five or more.

His journey began in the lower ranks, and Marquez's trophy cabinet looks even more impressive when accounting for his victories at 125cc and Moto2 as well:

There was no more fitting location for Honda's biggest star, who continues to argue his case as perhaps being the best of all time, to bring them yet another world title.

MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan 2018: Race Schedule, Live Stream and Top Riders

Oct 19, 2018
BURI RAM, THAILAND - OCTOBER 07: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team prepares to start on the grid during the MotoGP race during the MotoGP Of Thailand - Race on October 7, 2018 in Buri Ram, Thailand. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
BURI RAM, THAILAND - OCTOBER 07: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team prepares to start on the grid during the MotoGP race during the MotoGP Of Thailand - Race on October 7, 2018 in Buri Ram, Thailand. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Only a disaster can stop Marc Marquez becoming a five-time world champion, as the Spaniard leads the way in the overall standings heading into the 2018 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan in Motegi on Sunday.

Marquez was triumphant in Thailand during the last round of racing and holds a 77-point advantage over nearest world championship rival Andrea Dovizioso.

The 25-year-old has won seven of 15 races this term, and his Honda continues to be the bike to beat with just four stops on the racing calendar remaining.

A victory would see Marquez crowned as MotoGP world champion once again.

                              

Race Schedule                                            

Saturday, Oct. 20

MotoGP Q1: 6:10 a.m. BST/1:10 a.m. ET

MotoGP Q2: 6:35 a.m. BST/1:35 a.m. ET

Sunday, Oct. 21

MotoGP WUP: 1:40 a.m. BST/8:40 p.m. ET (Saturday)

MotoGP Race: 6 a.m. BST/1 a.m. ET

BT Sport (UK) and BeIN Sports (U.S.) will carry coverage of the event. For live stream options, access the BT Sport App or beIN Sports CONNECT.

                  

Top Riders

Every year it's questioned if Marquez can get any better, and every year he proves that he can.

Despite the form of Dovizioso this season, the Spanish superstar has kept his nose in front.

Dovizioso was victorious in the Czech Republic and San Marino, but Marquez held on in Thailand to place himself in the optimum position heading into Japan.

Honda would be delighted to see their rider handed another world crown in their home race, but Dovizioso and Ducati will be hoping to spoil the party.

According to Jack Tarrant of Reuters, Marquez said he understands the importance of winning for his team in Japan but highlighted his rival is currently in fantastic shape:

"I know and I understand that it will be really important for Honda to try and celebrate something big on Sunday.

"But it will not be easy because Dovizioso is really, really good, really, really fast and he is very competitive."

Per Tarrant, Marquez will be tied third with motorcycling legend Mick Doohan for the most premier class world titles in history if he wins in Japan, as he chases Italian icons Giacomo Agostini and Valentino Rossi.

Rossi finished third in Thailand, consolidating third in the championship race, and the seven-time world champion will be watching in awe of how Marquez has dominated since arriving in MotoGP in 2013.

Per Matteo Nugnes and Jamie Klein of AutoSport, Rossi said he knows the Spaniard can equal and surpass the brilliance he has achieved on a motorcycle: 

"Marquez can beat my records, but it does not bother me.

"You have to think about your own career, and I think that mine is good. I won many races, and I could have won more championships.

"My biggest regret is losing the championship in Valencia in 2006, when I made a mistake."

BURI RAM, THAILAND - OCTOBER 07: Andrea Dovizioso of Italy and Ducati Team celebrates the second place on the podium at the end of the MotoGP race during the MotoGP Of Thailand - Race on October 7, 2018 in Buri Ram, Thailand. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/
BURI RAM, THAILAND - OCTOBER 07: Andrea Dovizioso of Italy and Ducati Team celebrates the second place on the podium at the end of the MotoGP race during the MotoGP Of Thailand - Race on October 7, 2018 in Buri Ram, Thailand. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/

Ducati have once again been left chasing Honda's tail in the championship, but Dovizioso's qualities suggests he can compete with Marquez on an improved machine.

The 32-year-old is a veteran of the discipline with bags of experience, and he will be very satisfied if he finishes the season ahead of the Yamaha pairing of Rossi and Maverick Vinales.

Vinales could become a future great in the sport, but Yamaha have not had the pace to consistently hurt Honda and Ducati.

History is expected to be made in Motegi, with Marquez proving beyond doubt he has no current equal in MotoGP.

The Spaniard failed to win the world title in 2015, as compatriot Jorge Lorenzo claimed the championship, but that seems to have been a minor blip on Marquez's incredible record.

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