Suzuki's Mir seals MotoGP world title in Valencia

MotoGP - Valencia Grand Prix - Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia, Spain - November 15, 2020 Team Suzuki Ecstar's Joan Mir celebrates after winning the world championship REUTERS/Albert Gea

VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) - Suzuki rider Joan Mir clinched his maiden MotoGP crown and became the Japanese team's first world champion in two decades with a seventh-placed finish at the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday.

Mir began the race with a 37-point lead over his closest challengers Fabio Quartararo of Petronas Yamaha and Suzuki team mate Alex Rins, and secured a fourth successive top-10 finish from 12th on the grid to emulate American Kenny Roberts Jr., who won the riders' championship for Suzuki in 2000.