Motorsport: Reynolds stars as Murphy's race ends in heartbreak

David Reynolds driving the #55 The Bottle-O FPR Ford. Photo / Getty Images

Ford driver David Reynolds broke through to claim his maiden V8 Supercars race win yesterday at the Gold Coast 600.

The 28-year-old, who started the day by snatching pole position, made the most of late drama for Holden's James Courtney to steal the lead and secure the win in the 300km race.

Courtney was on course for his first victory on the streets of Surfers Paradise when a steering arm broke in his Holden Racing Team Commodore, forcing him to retire with less than 20 laps remaining.

The failure was heartbreaking for Courtney's co-driver Greg Murphy, with the veteran New Zealander hoping to end an eight-year wait for a race win.

Reynolds in the end crossed the line unchallenged with New Zealander Fabian Coulthard second and veteran Russell Ingall finishing third to secure a podium in his final visit to the Gold Coast as a full-time driver.

Holden's Jamie Whincup put his Saturday shocker behind him to finish fourth and move within six points of championship leader Craig Lowndes, who came in eighth.

Bathurst champion Mark Winterbottom's championship hopes took a big hit, with a broken shock absorber during co-driver Steve Richards' stint putting the Ford ace well back in the field. Winterbottom managed to limp home in 18th but is now 88 points off the top of the standings with just four races remaining.

His teammate Will Davison, the fourth man in the championship hunt, finished ninth and sits 121 points behind Lowndes.

The next event of the V8 Supercars championship is the Phillip Island 360 on November 22 to 24.

Jorge Lorenzo won the Japan Grand Prix yesterday ahead of Marc Marquez, meaning the MotoGP world championship will be decided in the final race of the season.

The Yamaha rider Lorenzo outperformed championship leader Marquez on a Honda, who came in second after a spectacular showdown, followed by Dani Pedrosa, also on a Honda.

Marquez now has 318 points in the championship, a 13-point gap over his fellow Spaniard Lorenzo with a maximum 25 points left in the season.

Valencia in a fortnight will be the first time in seven years that the world title has gone down to the wire.

Marquez, 20, is bidding to become the youngest MotoGP world champion for 35 years.

Conditions at the mountainous Motegi circuit were dry yesterday after fog and torrential rain forced the cancellation of free practice on Friday and Saturday.

- AAP, AFP