Motorsport: Jorge Lorenzo forces Marc Marquez to wait

Jorge Lorenzo led from start to finish in the Japan Grand Prix (AP)

Jorge Lorenzo’s victory in yesterday’s Japan Grand Prix has ensured the title battle continues and it will now be decided at next month’s final race of the season in Valencia.

Championship leader Marc Marquez needed to win the race and for Lorenzo to finish third or lower to win the title. But pole-sitter – and reigning champion – Lorenzo, 26, led from start to finish for his second successive win and cut the gap at the top of the standings to 13 points.

Marquez, who finished second, said: “I tried to follow Jorge. In the middle of the race it looked like we were stronger but in the end I saw that Jorge tried to push a little bit more. Valencia will be another race and very interesting for sure.”

Scott Redding missed the chance to become the first British winner of a motorcycle championship in 36 years as Pol Espargaro won in Japan to claim the Moto2 title. Redding, 20, crashed out in the first lap.