MotoGP continues to deliver racing of the highest caliber and it’s no surprise that among the men fighting tooth and nail for the biggest prize in motorcycle sport are Repsol Honda men Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC211V). With only five races left to run in this grueling 17-race season, the points spread among the top five contenders for the World Championship is just 50. And with 125 points still up for grabs, this season-end could well turn out to be one of the tightest struggles seen for a long while. The form-book suggests that Loris Capirossi (Ducati), who currently lies fifth in the World standings, 50 points behind leader Hayden, could be the man to beat here in Malaysia. The Italian rider won here last year and he arrives at Sepang off the back of a win at Brno in August. But Nicky holds the lap record here and is eager to add to his tally of two race wins so far this season. And the Kentucky Kid is experienced enough to know that he still needs to race for wins while maintaining his enviable record of podium-finishing consistency. Dani won here on a 250cc machine on the way to his first World title in that class in 2004 and as his inaugural season in the premier class draws to a conclusion, the diminutive Spaniard gets stronger and stronger. He lies only 25 points behind Hayden and there is no steelier competitor when it comes to riding under World title pressure. Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC211V) sits fourth in the overall points table and this tough rider from Ravenna in Italy is eager to hoist himself higher in the table as his fourth season on a 990cc machine unfolds. Marco needs another win to add his tally of two this season if he is to give himself a springboard to launch a title assault in these closing races. And it will take a huge effort from any rider to win here at Sepang. 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 80% humidity. This can often prove more debilitating to riders than sheer heat. 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. Nicky said, “I’m looking forward to these three back-to-back races because it’s a fun period of the season. Sepang is a track we know well from testing and I like it in fact there are a few tracks coming up that I like. I’ll pretty well approach these races like I have all year try to be smart and consistent and fight for the best result each weekend. I believe in myself and I’ve got good guys around me in this team. So I’m looking forward to it and I’m going to try to enjoy it.” His team-mate Dani said, “We’ve already tested at Sepang. I’ve done many laps and this will give us a better starting point for the weekend. I think Capirossi will be very strong here it was a good track for him last year and also Hayden, Rossi and Melandri will be up there too. The heat and humidity at Sepang are really high and this is something you have to take into account. It’s not really a problem though, because you expect it and can prepare for it.” Melandri said, “We’ve got three very contrasting circuits coming up but I like them all and I can’t wait to get on my RC211V. Last year I arrived in Sepang with 35 stitches in my foot so I wasn’t in the right physical shape. Now I’m feeling confident because we have a good base set-up for the bike which will help me to be more consistent at each of the remaining tracks. Tyre choice at Sepang will be another of the main keys to success.” Kenny Roberts Jnr (Roberts KR211V), a winner here in 1999 and 2000, is achieving consistent results on the RC211V-powered Roberts machine and said, “We’ve done a lot of testing here and now that we’re making progress at other tracks we have a chance to really step up here and try to get on terms with the podium finishers again. I know what it takes to win here and we’ll be going all out to try to achieve that.” Melandri’s team-mate Toni Elias (Fortuna Honda RC211V) said, “The two day test in the Czech Republic was crucial. We worked a lot on weight distribution under braking and we know we are on the right lines and that the hard work will bear fruit soon. I like Sepang because it’s a technical track which has some really hard braking areas too. We’re working very hard with my team and I hope to get a good result starting from this race.” Casey Stoner (LCR Honda RC211V) said, “I’m trying to keep the front-end of the bike a bit more upright and we’re doing some fine tuning on the front set-up. I’ll adapt my style a little like I did at Brno and even though I haven’t finished some races I’ve been up the front racing for the podium. It’ll be close this weekend and I should be up there again.” “I like the Sepang track,” said Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V). “I’ll reach it motivated, as usual. I hope to be able to get good results not only for me but for my team and everybody supporting me as well. After the Brno race, I stayed in Japan for a couple of weeks of preparation. I’m aware of the necessity to obtain good results and I also know that the end of the season is quickly approaching.” In the 250cc class Andrea Dovizioso (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) lies a mere seven points behind leader Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) after mounting a title challenge of grit and consistency. With five races left Dovi is as ready as ever to take the fight to his Spanish rival. He said, “I like Sepang and in 2004, when I was riding in the 125cc class, I set a pole position lap time that’s still unbeaten. It’s a fast track, where the Honda is penalized in terms of engine power compared to the Aprilia due to the high temperatures. But I’m confident and motivated for this Malaysian race, because the second place at Brno made me understand that if we take full advantage of the potential of the bike we can aim high and my team’s abilities make a big difference.” His team-mate Yuki Takahashi (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) returns to action and said, “I enjoyed watching the Czech Republic race at home, but I would have preferred to be on the starting grid along with my colleagues. It has been very important, though, to stay in Japan and finish the rehabilitation, because now I’m ready and physically I feel very good.” Shuhei Aoyama (Repsol Honda RS250RW), who currently lies tenth in the points table said, “I’ve never been to Malaysia before, but I think it may be as difficult as the circuit in Brno. I’ve been covering thousands of laps at the circuit with the Playstation and I’ve also been watching videos from previous races so we’ll have to wait and see what we can do here once the race weekend starts.” Shuhei’s team-mate Martin Cardenas (Repsol Honda RS250RW) said, “Last year I liked Malaysia a lot. I made a good race, so I hope that things will work out well this year too. After the result of the last race in Brno where the aim was finishing the race and I finally achieved a good result seventh I obviously arrive in Malaysia in high spirits and with confidence to make a good race.” In the 125cc class reigning World Champion Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) knows his title has gone for this year, but the Swiss rider is determined to finish the season strongly. Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia) is the runaway leader, but both Luthi and Gabor Talmacsi (Humangest Honda RS125R) are set on showing their best in the closing races. Talmacsi said, “Malaysia’s a country I like very much, and I’m going there a few days earlier because I want to get used to their weather and also meet some friends in Kuala Lumpur. This is one of my favourite tracks, but high temperatures make this Grand Prix quite tough. Anyway, I’m confident I can make a good race like I did in the Czech Republic.” Luhti knows he has the pace to perform well here and said, “I’ve got to get nearer the front in qualifying and that means getting a good tow from a fast rider in the final timed session. The track suits my style with fast flowing turns, and if I can get with the front runners early in the race I know and can stay with them and aim for a podium here.”