|
Sepang is the next event on the 2009 MotoGP track and a top four race for Valentino Rossi would be ample to secure the
Italian claiming the crown this season as World Champion at Sepang.
In Second place, following an exciting Casey
Stoner in Phillip Island, has extended Rossi’s lead at the top of the rankings to 38 points, thanks in a major part
to title opponent and colleague Jorge Lorenzo’s first lap smash.
With the Spaniard unable to complete the
event, this means that even if he is victorious at Sepang, Rossi only needs to arrive in fourth position to take his ninth
world title. Lorenzo is the only competitor who can halt Rossi from the title in Malaysia and the circuit caused Lorenzo to
retire after crashing. A victory in the 250cc class is his best result there.
Rossi has a famous history of good
form at Sepang, where he was victorious from second on the grid last season and has seven podium ends in the premier class
in total, inclusive of five victories.
Ducati Marlboro man Stoner passed Dani Pedrosa in the rankings with his
third win on his home circuit, and the Aussie seems back to full fitness after missing three events. Last season saw the 24
year-old arrive sixth at Sepang, however in his title winning 2007 year, Stoner was victorious in Malaysia.
Pedrosa
is six points away from Stoner in fourth spot, but his record of always ending on the stage at Sepang could mean he may be
amongst the best also, having crossing the line third in his prior three events this year.
Pedrosa’s colleague
Andrea Dovizioso appeared on the podium in Malaysia last season and will endeavour to improve on his sixth place finish in
Australia, hot on his heels is Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Colin Edwards who has never ended up in the top three at Sepang.
Points are spread from seventh to tenth in the overally rankings between Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini),
Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda), Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) and Marco Melandri (Hayate Racing), the challenge for seventh
place increases.
|
