With just two rounds left, the 2024 MotoGP™ Championship is tighter than ever, and we’re all on the edge of our seats! Just 17 points separate the top two riders, Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, in a showdown for the ages. It’s #TheRematch we’ve all been waiting for! As the season heads into its final rounds, let’s look back at some of the closest and most nail-biting title fights in MotoGP™ history. 🏆
2006: Hayden vs Rossi 🇺🇸🇮🇹
The battle between Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi is one for the history books! Hayden had the lead, but with just 21 points between them as they hit the Japanese GP, the pressure was on. Rossi grabbed a podium to close the gap to 12 points, setting up a tense penultimate race in Estoril. But Estoril didn’t go according to plan for Hayden when his teammate Dani Pedrosa accidentally took him out 😱, and Rossi took an eight-point lead!
Then came Valencia, where fate took a surprising turn. Rossi crashed and managed only a P13 finish, while Hayden, claiming a podium, won the Championship by five points! Talk about drama! 🏅
2009: Lorenzo vs Rossi 🇪🇸🇮🇹
Ah, the infamous rivalry of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi! By the time the 2009 Portuguese GP rolled around, Lorenzo had narrowed the gap to just 18 points with three rounds to go. But then came the Australian GP, where he crashed on the opening lap, handing Rossi a golden opportunity to increase his lead. 🏍️💥
Rossi’s victory in Australia and subsequent podium in Sepang sealed his seventh premier-class title, while Lorenzo watched as his title hopes slipped away. #Legendary 🏆
2015: Lorenzo vs Rossi (Yes, Again!) 🇪🇸🇮🇹
Fast forward to 2015, and Lorenzo vs. Rossi was back on! With just three rounds to go, Rossi led by 18 points, but it didn’t stay that way for long. In Australia, Lorenzo's second-place finish and Rossi’s P4 narrowed the gap to 11 points. Then came Sepang, where the controversial clash between Rossi and Marc Marquez sent shockwaves through the sport. After the collision, Rossi was penalized with a back-of-the-grid start for the season finale. 💥
Despite his best efforts, Rossi finished fourth in Valencia, while Lorenzo took the win and his third premier-class title by just five points. #DramaAlert 📉
2017: Marquez vs Dovizioso 🇪🇸🇮🇹
In 2017, Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso took us all on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Dovi closed in on Marquez with a win at the Japanese GP, narrowing the points gap to just 11. Unfortunately, Australia wasn’t as kind to Dovi, who finished P13 while Marquez secured the victory. But Dovi kept the dream alive with a win in Malaysia. 💪
In Valencia, Marquez only needed four points to claim his fourth title, which he did, leaving Dovi with just the memory of an incredible season. #AlmostThere 🏅
2020: Mir vs Quartararo 🏴☠️🇫🇷
The 2020 season was unlike any other, with Covid adding an extra layer of unpredictability. Joan Mir battled it out with Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli. With three rounds to go, Mir led by 14 points, and his European GP win extended his lead to a comfortable 37 points. By the penultimate round, Mir finished in P7, which was enough to secure his first premier-class title with one round to spare! #Champion 🥇
2022: Bagnaia vs Quartararo 🇮🇹🇫🇷
The 2022 season saw Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia claw his way back from a massive 91-point deficit to close within two points of Fabio Quartararo with three rounds left. After a series of stellar performances, Pecco took control of the Championship with a 23-point lead after Malaysia. Needing just two points in Valencia, he played it safe and clinched the title with a P9 finish. Bagnaia’s patience paid off as he became the MotoGP™ World Champion! #ComebackKing 🏅
2023: Bagnaia vs Martin – The First Face-Off 🇮🇹🇪🇸
In 2023, Bagnaia and Jorge Martin took it to the wire. With a 21-point lead going into Valencia, Bagnaia was ready to seal the deal. But Martin wouldn’t go down without a fight, taking the Sprint win and reducing Bagnaia’s lead to 14 points. On race day, Bagnaia started on pole thanks to a penalty for Maverick Viñales, but Martin’s charge through the field was cut short by a collision with Marc Marquez. Bagnaia was crowned the champion, setting up #TheRematch we’re seeing now in 2024. 🔥
2024: #TheRematch - Martin vs Bagnaia 🇪🇸🇮🇹
Now, with only two rounds to go, it’s Martin vs Bagnaia, Part II. Martin holds the lead, but only by a mere 17 points, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as we head to the Sepang International Circuit. Will Martin secure his first Championship, or can Bagnaia pull off another comeback? Whatever happens, this season is destined to go down as one of MotoGP™’s most unforgettable. Don’t miss a single lap! 🏍️💨
Stay tuned for more racing updates, breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes news here on ThrottleChimp™. 🏁
