PEDROSA IN UPHILL STRUGGLE FOR RUNNER-UP SLOT With the major prizes of this 2007 MotoGP decided in favour of Casey Stoner and the Ducati factory, only the runner-up spot and top ten placings are left to be fought for. But the fight will be every bit as fierce as it was for the World Crown itself second overall is better than 10th. And the protagonists for the coveted runner-up position are former World Champion Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V). Rossi has a 29-point lead over Dani with just two rounds and fifty points available but the determined Pedrosa will not let up until the task is mathematically beyond him. And the battle will rage right down the order as John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen (Both Suzuki), Marco Melandri (Gresini Honda RC212V) and Loris Capirossi (Ducati) fight for fourth place overall. Hopkins has 165 points, Vermeulen 160, Melandri 154 and Capirossi, after his second place at Phillip Island last weekend, sits on 150 points. They won’t catch Dani and Rossi but they too will be going all out for valuable extra points. And in the searing heat and debilitating humidity of Sepang, it will be a huge task that faces all riders. Track temperatures are high in Malaysia at around the 45 to 50 degree mark, with ambient temperatures nudging the high thirties. And there is invariably around 75% humidity. Rain could be a huge issue this weekend. The 5.548km Sepang track has two long straights, fast open turns, one left/right flick, and a tight left turn onto the start/finish straight. Hard braking at the end of the two straights requires a stable set-up while sheer power and a high top speed are at a premium too. The wide (25m) track offers plenty of overtaking opportunities through its ten right-hand turns and five lefts. But is has been resurfaced in large parts this year and this could throw up new problems for riders relying too heavily on set-up information and tyre choice either from last season or from winter testing. Few would have imagined that defending 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC212V) would be fighting to secure a top ten finish overall in this season’s title race, but his recent form has been strong and the American ace will be eager to maintain this over the next two races. Toni Elias (Gresini Honda RC212V) has fought back manfully from the broken leg at Assen that derailed his season. And the friendly Spaniard will be after a result more resembling his third at Motegi than the 15th he had to settle for in Australia last weekend. Carlos Checa (LCR Honda RC212V), Shinya Nakano (Konica Minolta Honda RC212V) and Kurtis Roberts (Roberts KR212V) have not so far produced the results they are capable of and here, at Sepang, is the penultimate chance this season for the trio to confound observers. Dani, who won here on a 125 in 2003 and again on a 250 in 2004, and who has now taken pole position at the last two Grands Prix, is determined to capitalise on the hard work he will do during qualifying here. He said: “It really feels like it’s time to get a good result because we’ve been knocking on the door for a few races now. The weather has affected many races this year and it also played a part at the last one at Phillip Island. Last year’s race here went quite well for me, especially after crashing in practice and not being sure that I would even be able to race. This year I hope things go more smoothly and we can arrive at a good set-up and tyre selection so that we can be competitive right to the final lap.” His team-mate Nicky said: “Last week’s result at Phillip Island definitely stung. But at least I was fighting for the lead when I went out rather than 12th place that would have hurt even more. It’s disappointing but I’ve just got to get over it. At Malaysia I think I’ve had fourth place every year since my debut and now I need to improve on that. The team’s been doing some good work with the bike recently and we’ve been improving our performance, so now I’m really looking forward to getting to Sepang.” Marco Melandri said: “In Australia the bike was working really well and I found a good feeling with the front. We were in good shape to fight for the podium but unfortunately a technical problem prevented it. At Sepang it’s always important to find a good set-up from the first day in order to prepare for the race in the best way. The track characteristics make it really demanding on horsepower and acceleration there are some long corners and a really fast main straight.” His team-mate Elias said: “Sepang is one of my favourite circuits. I like the design and I always feel comfortable here. The track is long and there are lots of places to overtake. We know the circuit well because we come and spend several days here during testing. The surface has been re-laid, which is good, because there were a lot of bumps. I’m confident and I can’t wait to go racing again.” Checa said: “I always enjoy Sepang and I hope it’s again very hot and difficult for riders this might give me some physical advantage with my fitness. At this track, with the long straights and fast corners, you need a strong engine and precise handling so we will again work at the maximum in the practice sessions to find the best set-up for the race.” Nakano said: “I enjoy Sepang. It’s almost home as it’s part of Asia so that also makes it special for me. I know the track well each and every corner. Because of this, we know what problems we’ve had there before so that helps and it means we can concentrate on getting a good set-up from first practice. I’ve had some good memories at Sepang, including a 4th place finish in 2001, and we all know that we’ve only got these last two races to fulfil our potential and get some good results.” Roberts said: “We don’t have data on Sepang with the 800 so it’s difficult to start with a baseline. The two big factors will be the tyres, as parts of the track have been resurfaced, and the unpredictable weather here this week. But we’re back among friends and former colleagues (Proton) and will be doing our best to get a good result.” In the 250cc category reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) holds a 45-points advantage over his gallant pursuer Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Honda RS250RW). Dovi has hounded him all season, but now it seems only a freak collapse from Lorenzo offers any hope for Dovi. Lorenzo won here in 2006 and although Dovi will never give less than his all, the task before him in terms of the title is, to all effects, nothing short of impossible. Alex de Angelis (Aprilia), 27-points shy of Dovi, will in turn be working on the Italian Honda runner for second overall. Dovi said: “I like Sepang and I set a 125cc pole here in 2005. It’s a fast track, but the Honda is sometimes penalized in terms of engine power compared to the Aprilia due to the long straights and high temperatures here. If it rains and it’s cooler it might suit us better. I’m confident and motivated for this Malaysian race, because the title race is not over yet.” Julian Simon (Repsol Honda RS250RW) said: “I like the track in Malaysia. Last year I almost got on the podium, but in the end I was fourth. The most important factor will be the heat and maybe the rain. Whatever the case we are going to fight as hard as we can. The circuit has two long straights, but luckily after that there are quite a few curves, which I like. Malaysia has always been kind to me.” Shuhei Aoyama (Repsol Honda RS250RW) said: “Since the race in Brno I have had some great sensations on the bike and I can maintain a good pace during the races. My objective for this race is to finish on the podium and I’ll have to work hard. Sepang is a circuit I don’t really know, but I want to continue moving forward.” Ratthapark Wilairot (Stop And Go Racing Honda RS250RW) will be a star here at his ‘virtual’ home race. The Thai star has ridden a very creditable rookie season, despite recent setbacks and he will be well received here at Sepang. He said: “Australia left me with a bad taste in the mouth as I crashed in the second qualifying session and could only take 19th in the race. My right hand is recovering quickly and it shouldn’t be a bother this weekend. I know Sepang a bit as I raced here a few years ago in a round of the Asian Motorcycle Series. Everybody in the team is giving his best and we hope to eventually get a reward in Sunday’s race.” The 125cc World title fight is a straight dice now between Gabor Talmacsi and Hector Faubel (both Aprilia) with the Hungarian on 237 points to Faubel’s 236. Talmacsi has never been on the podium in Malaysia, Faubel scored his first podium here last year. This will be an intriguing tussle. British rider Bradley Smith (Repsol Honda RS125R) has a disappointing ride in Australia where his team-mate Esteve Rabat (Repsol Honda RS125R) finished a fine fifth. Both need a rousing finish to their seasons after shining sporadically at selected Grands Prix. Rabat said: “I like Sepang and go into the race with more confidence. The bike was very good at Philip Island and I hope we can continue the same way. I am really looking forward to the race. It’s one of my favourite circuits, but to run with the top group I need a good start, even better than the one I made in the race last week.” Smith said: “I didn’t race at Sepang last year so I have no information about the track or ideas on set-up. After all our problems last week at Phillip Island that’s probably a good thing because I can start from our normal baseline set-up and work from there.”