Australian MotoGP 2014: Valentino Rossi storms to victory after Marc Marquez’s high-speed crash

MARC Marquez suffered a high-speed crash to gift the Australian Grand Prix to Italian veteran Valentino Rossi in race No. 250.

MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy sprays champagne as he celebrates after winning the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, Australia, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

MARC Marquez wrote a second chapter in his frustrating Phillip Island MotoGP record on Sunday, with the world champion suffering a high-speed crash to gift the Australian Grand Prix to Italian veteran Valentino Rossi in race No. 250.

Marquez was cruising towards victory with the young gun — who many believe is on track to be motorcycling’s greatest racer — leading by four seconds before he lost control of the front of his bike with 10 laps remaining.

The 21-year-old Spaniard was unharmed but slid across the tarmac with his Honda too damaged to continue as a gleeful Rossi sped past.

“I don't know what happened, I was pushing all the time,” the dual world champion said on Sunday night.

Marc Marquez crashes out at turn 10 to end his Australian Grand Prix.

And in MotoGP’s lesser version of Steven Bradbury’s shock Winter Olympics gold medal, Cal Crutchlow cost himself a certain second place when he spun out on the final lap.

Crutchlow became the ninth rider failing to finish, joining Australia’s sole hope Broc Parkes, who injured his shoulder in practice.

Marquez secured his second world title last week and the superstar can draw level with Aussie icon Mick Doohan’s record of 12 MotoGP wins in one season (1997) at either Malaysia next week or at home in the final race of 2014.

Marquez blamed his team at Phillip Island last year when he failed to pit at the required time, prompting the black disqualification flag. He has saluted at Phillip Island only once, in the 125cc grade four years ago.

Crutchlow’s blow handed fellow Brit Bradley Smith his maiden podium finish with Jorge Lorenzo banking second as Yamaha produced the top three for the first time in six years.

Smith, 23, crossed the line unaware he had pinched third.

Rossi saluted with a 10.936 sec buffer to open up an eight-point lead on Lorenzo.

“On the second corner when I saw Marc and Jorge first and second and I was still sixth I thought, ‘It will be hard’,” Rossi said.

“Second place would have been very important for second in the championship. Then I saw Marc crash.”

Valentino Rossi raises his arms in triumph after crossing the line at Phillip Island.

Marquez replaced Casey Stoner on the Honda GP team after the Australian legend retired in 2012 and he has been crowned world champion in his first two attempts.

Rossi — like Aussie young gun Jack Miller in the Moto3 earlier — surged from eighth on the grid to victory.

It was the 35-year-old’s fifth win in Australia and first since 2005. He now boasts 82 MotoGP wins from 250 starts, the most of any rider.

Originally published as Australian MotoGP 2014: Valentino Rossi storms to victory after Marc Marquez’s high-speed crash