A MotoGP season dominated once again by Marc Marquez rolls to a close in Valencia this weekend with a fond farewell for another Spaniard, former champion Jorge Lorenzo who announced his retirement on Thursday.
Marquez has undoubtedly been the star of the season, winning 11 races so far and wrapping up his sixth world title with four races to spare.
No one has come close to his speed and consistency.
Since the Spanish GP in Jerez at the start of May, Marquez has finished either first or second in every race, an achievement that fast-tracked Honda to its eighth constructors' championship, its fourth in a row.
The 26-year-old has done it on the much-maligned RC213V which has been criticised for its handling.
No surprise then to see Marquez planning to use Valencia as something of a test drive for next season.
More From This Section
"We are looking to 2020 already and continuing to try some options while we have this time before we go into test mode after the race," he said.
Surprisingly, given that he has won 55 MotoGPs since joining the circuit in 2013, Marquez has only one victory in 2014 to show for his work in Valencia.
- Lorenzo bows out -
====================