Marc Marquez wins MotoGP of Japan and secures the 2016 title

Marc Marquez won the MotoGP of Japan on Sunday on his Honda to secure the 2016 title with three races left in the season.

The Spaniard beat Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati by 2.992 seconds at the Twin Ring Motegi, claiming his fifth victory of the season and his third world championship. Fellow Spaniard Maverick Viñales of Suzuki finished third, 4.104 seconds behind.

Valentino Rossi of Yamaha, who started in pole position, crashed in the 15th lap. The Italian entered the race on Saturday 52 points behind Marquez in the overall standings.

Marquez's attempt to secure the championship received a boost when his compatriot Jorge Lorenzo of Yamaha lost control of his motorcycle with five laps to go. Lorenzo was in second place at that time and needed to be on the podium for the championship battle to extend to the next race in Phillip Island, Australia, on October 23.

23-year-old Marquez is the youngest rider to win three world championships in the premier class.

The MotoGP title of 2016 is his third in four years at this level, and his fifth world championship after becoming the world champion in the 125cc category in 2010 and the Moto2 champion in 2012.