MotoGP Valencia: Jorge Lorenzo has no regrets over showdown tactics

With a 13-point deficit at the start of the weekend, Lorenzo needed to win with Marquez lower than fourth.

He took the lead at the start and initially tried to slow the pace so the pack could attack Marquez, becoming embroiled in a huge fight with his rival's Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa in the process.

"When we came to this weekend my strategy in my mind was to try to go away in the lead," said Lorenzo.

"But this morning after the warm-up we had a meeting and decided to change strategy and slow the race down in the first laps.

"I have no regrets anyway, we had to try and see what happened."

Lorenzo ultimately made contact with Pedrosa, sending both wide. He then recovered to take the lead back from Marquez and opted to pull away thereafter.

"The other riders behind us three were too slow to stay in the group," Lorenzo said.

"I tried for some laps to slow the race with Dani and Marc, and was taking so many risks - especially with Dani.

"But when I looked behind and saw the others were too far behind, I decided to win this race and get away."

He paid tribute to Marquez, who became the first rookie champion in the top class since Kenny Roberts in 1978, and the youngest ever at 20.

"We tried our best for the whole championship," Lorenzo said. "We cannot have regrets.

"Today Marc is the deserving winner."