Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Franco Morbidelli completed his Moto2 World Championship season with a controlled second place in today’s final race in Valencia.

This was the 12th podium of Morbidelli’s brilliant season, which included eight race victories, more than double that of any of his rivals.

With six pole positions to his name Morbidelli was the dominant rider in Moto2 in advance of his move to MotoGP in 2018 with Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS

Morbidelli and teammate Álex Márquez engaged in an early battle in the 27-lap race with Morbidelli leading the race from lap four to 22 before conceding the front running to eventual winner Miguel Oliveira.

Márquez started from pole position after a superb qualifying performance and was looking set to challenge for the podium.

But after a long battle with Brad Binder the podium assault faded with Márquez eventually finishing in fifth place as he struggled with grip levels. .

Márquez won three races and scored three poles in the 18-race season and finished fourth in the championship with 201 points.

Morbidelli’s Moto2 World Championship campaign ended with the Italian rider on top with 308 points.

Franco Morbidelli: 2nd
“This second place in Valencia is a great way to finish in Moto2 before starting the new chapter of my career in MotoGP. Early in the race I had a nice battle with Álex and then when I got to the front I pushed hard to make a gap knowing that Miguel Oliveira would try to chase me down late in the race. I gave everything to fight him for the win over the final five laps but today he was the faster rider.”

Álex Márquez: 5th
“From the first lap I did not have the same feeling and grip as in qualifying and the warm-up which was a little strange. I was expecting better than fifth place but I finished the race and we know what problems we have to work on to improve for next year. I am motivated and focussed to start the job at the test in Jerez later this week.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“I was hoping for a double podium here but we knew that the KTM riders were coming on strong late in the season. It was important for both Franco and Álex to finish the final race of the year and overall we have to be happy with the victories and podiums that delivered us the world championship this year. Now we start work for 2018 from the test in Jerez on Wednesday, we have a big job ahead of us.”