Zarco clinches repeat Moto2 world title

AFP: France’s Johann Zarco became the first man to win a repeat Moto2 world championship on Sunday by taking the checkered flag in the rain-dampened Malaysia Grand Prix.

Starting from the pole, the Ajo Motorsport rider dropped back to third in a fierce dogfight with championship rivals Thomas Luthi of Switzerland and Spain’s Alex Rins.

But Zarco stormed back later in the race as others struggled with conditions on the rain-slicked track, and he took the lead for good with six laps left.

With the win, he becomes the first man to defend the Moto2 crown since its introduction in 2010 and the first Frenchman to win more than one championship in Grand Prix Racing.

“It’s difficult not to cry,” Zarco said after the race, repeatedly choking up.

“It’s been a good race. In the wet I wasn’t the fastest. The track started to dry and I felt I could (pull) away. It was perfect to win the title.”

Zarco, 26, finished 3.256 seconds ahead of Italy’s Franco Morbidelli, and celebrated with his signature trackside backflip.

The victory gave Zarco an unassailable 37-point lead in the Moto2 standings with just one race left in the season.