Martin led by 19 points heading into the final race of the season and the Spaniard needed to finish in the top nine to clinch the title if polesitter and twice champion Bagnaia won the race. Gresini Racing's Marc Marquez finished second.

Bagnaia had done everything to close the gap in the title race, with victory in the final grand prix his 11th of the season, but Martin's 32 podiums across sprints and races earned him the title by 10 points.

Bagnaia and Martin made superb starts off the line and the title rivals went into turn one first and second. Marquez was third but he dived in on the inside of turn one on the second lap to overtake Martin.

--Reuters--