Just 13 points separate the top two in the Championship with three rounds remaining. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenvo Team) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) have been delivering a title fight for the ages, while Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) isn’t completely out of it either. It is oh so close with just three rounds remaining, and we’ve had a look back at some of the closest title fights we’ve seen in the MotoGP™ era.
2006
One of the most iconic title fights in MotoGP™ saw Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi battle it out for glory. The American led, but just 21 points separated the two as they prepared for the Japanese GP, which saw Rossi narrow the margin to 12 thanks to a podium. Then in the penultimate round at Estoril, one of the most dramatic races in the modern era unfolded as Hayden was taken out by teammate Dani Pedrosa, while Rossi missed out on the win by just 0.002s to Toni Elias but managed to seize the Championship advantage by eight points. However, another twist awaited as Rossi crashed during the season finale in Valencia and remounted to come home in P13, but Hayden had taken a podium to give him the title with a five-point cushion over the legendary Italian and stopping his charge for six in a row.
2009
Victory for Jorge Lorenzo at the 2009 Portuguese GP saw him move to within 18 points of teammate and fierce rival Valentino Rossi with three rounds to go. However, his momentum came to an abrupt end next time out in Australia, when a crash on the opening lap brought his weekend to an end with ‘The Doctor’ punishing his absence to the maximum with victory to put 38 between them. A podium for Rossi then sealed the title in Sepang, handing the Italian Legend consecutive Championships and his seventh premier class title overall.
2015
With three rounds to go in the 2015 battle, Rossi led the standings over Lorenzo by 18 points once again in one of the most incredible Championship run ins. After the Australian GP, the gap was just 11 points due to Lorenzo securing P2 and Rossi P4 in Phillip Island. It was all teed up for a grandstand finish before one of most infamous moments of the sport’s history came in Sepang, when a clash between the #46 and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) saw the Spaniard crash out. Rossi went on to take a podium behind Lorenzo, but his lead was down to a slender seven points and he slapped with a back of the grid penalty for the season finale. The Italian managed to battle his way to fourth in Cheste, but Lorenzo took the chequered flag first which saw him leapfrog his fiercest rival to the top of the standings and claim his third and final premier class title by five points.
2017
Following Andrea Dovizioso’s victory at the Japanese GP, the Italian moved to within 11 points of Marc Marquez. Hopes of delivering Ducati a first Riders’ Championship since 2007 were dashed next time out in Australia though, with the Italian coming home in P13 and Marquez victorious putting the gap out to 33 with 50 left on the table. ‘DesmoDovi’ did take victory in the next round in Malaysia to keep the dream alive into the final round, but Marquez only required four points to make it MotoGP™ title number four, something he duly delivered with a podium in the finale in Valencia.
2020
During a Covid stricken season, Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) battled for honours against Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), and with three rounds to go, it was the Mallorcan who held a 14 point advantage thanks to back-to-back podiums in a MotorLand double header. Mir then followed that up with his sole MotoGP™ win at the European Grand Prix to give him a 37 point cushion heading into the penultimate round, and his P7 finish saw him secure his second World Championship title and first in the premier class.
2022
Looking back to just 12 months ago, and leaving the Thai GP with three rounds to go, just two points separated Fabio Quartararo and Pecco Bagnaia. The Frenchman, the reigning Champion, once held a 91 point advantage but the rider who adorns the #1 plates now had found some irresistible form and speed. A Phillip Island podium allowed Bagnaia to seize control of the Championship by 14 points, while it was out to 23 after Pecco took victory in Malaysia. The Ducati star just needed two points in Valencia to wrap up the Championship, and he cautiously came home in P9 as Quartararo applied the pressure to take his maiden MotoGP™ title.
2023
With three rounds remaining in the current campaign, it’s advantage Bagnaia over Martin… but there are just 13 points in it heading into Malaysia. It truly has been tit for tat in recent outings, with thrills, spills, twists and turns keeping us on the edge of our seats. We have no idea how this one will play out, but we know it will be unmissable. The next round of action gets underway this weekend, so make sure you tune in!