Honda rider Marc Marquez won the Japanese MotoGP on Sunday to secure the championship. However, the 25-year-old Spaniard dislocated his shoulder while celebrating the win with teammates.
Scott Redding of Britain, also a Honda rider, enthusiastically hugged Marquez after winning his fifth MotoGP title and third in a row at their team's home track.
"The shoulder just popped out. Luckily with the adrenaline it doesn't hurt, but I'll need to be careful not to overdo it on the dance floor tonight," Marquez said.
"Once we were rivals, big rivals, now we have nothing but respect and fun. Sorry for the dislocated shoulder," Redding said.
Marc Marquez celebrates in the pits of the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Japan, October 21, 2018. /VCG Photo
Marquez started the race in sixth place and had never won a MotoGP race after failing to qualify in the top five places on the grid.
In the final, he took the lead with four laps to go and crossed the finish line in a time of 42 minutes, 36.438 seconds, 1.573 seconds ahead of his teammate Cal Crutchlow of Britain. Alex Rins was third on a Suzuki, 1,720 seconds off the pace.
Pole sitter Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso of Italy led for most of Sunday's race and could have denied Marquez the title with a win but crashed out of second place with two laps to go and ended up with no points.
(With input from agencies)