Fabio Quartararo’s hopes of retaining his MotoGP title ended on Sunday after fighting for fourth in the Valencia GP.

With a win the Frenchman’s only chance of salvaging his championship aspirations in the final race of 2022, Quartararo launched from the second row but was immediately swallowed up by the leading group as Alex Rins took charge out front.

An early on-track battle with title-rival Pecco Bagnaia saw the pair make contact before he settled into a rhythm in the top five. A lap ten crash for Marc Marquez promoted the Monster Energy Yamaha rider to fourth before Brad Binder arrived on the KTM, dropping him back. A late crash for Jack Miller five laps before the finish returned him to best of the rest but the gap to the podium sitters remained too great to bridge in the closing stages.

Quartararo met the flag less than two seconds from eventual winner Rins and eighth tenths from Jorge Martin in third, but with Bagnaia 23 points clear at the start of the race and then crossing the line ninth, it was not enough to secure a consecutive crown.

“It was a tough race, especially for the left side of the tyre, but I gave my 100 per cent,” Quartararo explained from Valencia. “It was not enough to fight for the podium or the victory.

“It was hotter today than it was the previous days, and the left side of my front tyre went completely soft. That was the point where I lost the race.

“I'm a bit disappointed, but congratulations to Pecco for winning the title. Now I just can't wait to try our new bike but first we have to celebrate tonight.

“Then on Tuesday we have that very important test for 2023, and of course I'm really motivated because it concerns our future bike.”