Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix

FIM MotoGP World Championship

Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia

October 29, 2017

Race Results (wet conditions, all on Michelin tires):

1. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Italy (DUCATI), 20 laps, Total Race Time 44:51.497

2. Jorge LORENZO, Spain (DUCATI), -0.743 second

3. Johann ZARCO, France (YAMAHA), -9.738 seconds

4. Marc MARQUEZ, Spain (HONDA), -17.763

5. Dani PEDROSA, Spain (HONDA), -29.144

6. Danilo PETRUCCI, Italy (DUCATI), -30.380

7. Valentino ROSSI, Italy (YAMAHA), -30.769

8. Jack MILLER, Australia (HONDA), -35.238

9. Maverick VIÑALES, Spain (YAMAHA), -38.053

10. Pol ESPARGARO, Spain (KTM), -39.847

11. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Spain (DUCATI), -42.559

12. Bradley SMITH, UK (KTM), -44.602

13. Scott REDDING, UK (DUCATI), -48.696

14. Hector BARBERA, Spain (DUCATI), -50.058

15. Cal CRUTCHLOW, UK (HONDA), -50.705

16. Michael Van Der MARK, Netherlands (YAMAHA), -56.397

17. Andrea IANNONE, Italy (SUZUKI), -58.391

18. Tito RABAT, Spain (HONDA), -85.571

19. Sam LOWES, UK (APRILIA), -11 laps, DNF, crashed twice

20. Karel ABRAHAM, Czech Republic (DUCATI), -12 laps, DNF, crash

21. Loris BAZ, France (DUCATI), -15 laps, DNF, crash

22. Alex RINS, Spain (SUZUKI), crashed twice, DQ

World Championship Point Standings (after 17 of 18 races):

1. Marquez, 282 points

2. Dovizioso, 261

3. Vinales, 226

4. Rossi, 197

5. Pedrosa, 185

6. Zarco, 154

7. Lorenzo, 137

8. Petrucci, 121

9. Crutchlow, 104

10. Jonas Folger, 84

11. Bautista, 75

12. Miller, 73

13. Redding, 64

14. Aleix Espargaro, 62

15. Iannone, 60

16. Pol Espargaro, 55

17. Rins, 46

18. Baz, 45

19. Abraham, 30

20. Rabat, 29

21. Barbera, 27

22. Smith, 24

23. Michele Pirro, 18

24. Mika Kallio, 11

25. Lowes, 5

26. Katsuyuki Nakasuga, 4

27. Sylvain Guintoli, 1

28. TIE, Van Der Mark/Takuya Tsuda/Hiroshi Aoyama/Broc Parkes, 0

More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:

THE RAIN DOES NOT HELP SAM LOWES WHO CRASHES AT SEPANG

NOW TO VALENCIA WHERE APRILIA AWAITS THE RETURN OF ESPARGARÓ

The rain that fell heavily until just a few minutes from the start of the penultimate 2017 MotoGP race, held in Malaysia, did not help Sam Lowes. The only Aprilia Racing Team Gresini rider in the race, due to Aleix Espargaró’s absence, crashed during the fifth lap because of the asphalt conditions while battling for a position that would have put him in the points. He managed to restart but after returning to the garage to switch bikes, his race ended early in the tenth lap.

This concluded a weekend that was strongly impacted by the absence of Aleix Espargaró. After his crash in Australia, the Spanish rider underwent successful surgery on his left hand and he will try to be back for the final race of the season in Valencia to resume the competitive level that he and his Aprilia RS-GP had achieved. In recent races, the duo finished sixth at Aragón, seventh in Motegi and played a prominent role in Australia where, after outstanding practice and qualifiers, they demonstrated the potential to fight for the top spots with the best.

SAM LOWES

“I was already surprised during the sighting lap at how different the track conditions were from FP2. In that session I had felt good in the wet, whereas today I struggled a lot with grip. Unfortunately, I made a small mistake in the group. I was slightly off my line and that was enough to make me lose the front. It’s a pity because in the wet we had the potential to make progress, but in a race this difficult things like this can happen.”

More, from a press release issued by Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS:

Miller finishes eighth in rain soaked Sepang race

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Jack Miller scored a second consecutive top ten finish with eighth place in today’s rain hit Malaysian Grand Prix.

The forecast rain showers came in advance of the 20-lap race forcing all riders to switch to Michelin wet weather tyres.

Standing water made conditions unpredictable and slippery with Miller briefly edging forward to tenth place on the opening lap from his starting spot of 11th on the grid.

The low grip levels and tight traffic saw Miller slide back and settle in 13th place with the Australian unable to engage his noted skills in wet races.

When grip levels improved Miller made a late race surge to grab eighth position with six laps remaining.

After moving ahead of Bradley Smith, Pol Espargaro and Maverick Viñales Miller settled into a smooth rhythm as the rain increased over the closing laps.

At the finish Miller’s Honda RC213V was almost three seconds ahead of Viñales in ninth.

The wet and gloomy race weather brought little joy for Spanish rider Tito Rabat who suffered a lack of rear grip from the start, but put in a typically determined performance to complete the race distance.

Jack Miller: 8th

“The opening laps were not easy with the grip levels and it was struggle to stay on the track especially when I was on the left side of the tyre, I was just trying to stay on two wheels. It was a little scary. But from halfway in the race the rear tyre started working better and I was able to make up some positions and grab eighth. Overall a good weekend, I was very strong in the dry and this was my second top ten since coming back from the broken leg so I’m now looking for more points in Valencia.”

Tito Rabat: 18th

“It was dry and sunny all morning then rained for our race so not ideal for me and then I feel I had some issue with the rear tyre, my knee was on the tarmac many times even with very little throttle, I had zero grip. I had a strange feeling and at one point thought about stopping but I pushed to the end although I’m disappointed to be so far behind.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

“For Jack to finish eighth is a good result considering he had a difficult start to the race, the conditions were slippery and he was sliding a lot. In the final laps he tried to catch Valentino for seventh but in any case I’m happy with this result. For Tito it was not an easy weekend with the conditions and when the rain came for the race it was even more difficult. Now we move to Valencia and look forward to the final race of the season.”

More, from a press release issued by Octo Pramac Racing:

Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix – The RACE

Crazy comeback for Petrux who recovers 17 positions ending up 6th. Scott fights well till mid-race

On the Sepang Circuit Danilo Petrucci and Scott Redding are the protagonists of a good race overcoming many difficulties.

The Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix is “wet” with as the rain starts dropping half an hour from the start.

Petrux is forced to start from the last row due to a technical problem that stops him during the warm-up lap. The rider from Terni remains focused and recovers 9 positions at turn 1. In the first few laps the feeling is not the best, then his race pace starts to improve. On lap 7, Petrux overtakes Bautista and Iannone to conquer the Top 10. Three laps later he attacks Rossi and Espargaro to take 7th position before passing Redding for sixth place. Pedrosa, however, is too far away and Petrucci ends up in P6 after a fantastic comeback.

Scott gets off a very good start from P14 and after one lap he was already 8th. After overtaking Smith and Rins the English rider tries to catch Pedrosa. Scott’s pace is convincing and on lap six he recovers 8 tenths of the Spaniard. However, since lap 9, the soft rear tyre doesn’t help him and Scott is forced to give up positions by finishing 13th.

6th Danilo Petrucci

“I’m happy with this 6th place also because it was a difficult race. The bike had a problem and I was forced to start from last place. The start was very good but in the early laps I struggled a lot. I couldn’t get a lot of traction during the race but I pushed hard to get the best result. If I have to be honest, though, I think we have missed an opportunity to fight for another podium”.

13th Scott Redding

“My race start was very good. The feeling with the medium tyre in the warm up lap was not good so we bet on the soft rubber. I pushed a lot and the feeling was very good until halfway through the race. Then the tyre started to drop and I started losing many tenths of a second each lap. I think it was a fairly positive weekend and this gives me confidence in sight of Valencia.”.

More, from a press release issued by Monster Yamaha Tech 3:

 Sensational Zarco braves wet weather to storm to 3rd in Malaysia – Solid performance by Van der Mark on MotoGP debut

Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team rider Johann Zarco produced a superb display today in Malaysia to blaze to 3rd and seal the second podium in his rookie season. The notable French star leapt forward from 2nd on the grid and quickly moved into the lead. He remained at the front of the field for eight laps as the rain continued to fall, before eventually meeting the chequered flag inside the top three and as the leading Yamaha rider. The result marks a highly positive close to the triple flyway races and Zarco seeks to repeat the feat at the season finale in Valencia in a fortnight.

Meanwhile, Michael van der Mark produced a fine performance as he battled against the turbulent weather at the Sepang International Circuit. The young Dutch rider began the Grand Prix from the 8th row, but he immediately stuck into a formidable rhythm as he pushed through the field. He crossed the finish line in 16th, and ahead of several seasoned MotoGP regulars to close a positive, yet challenging, debut weekend aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1. Monster Yamaha Tech3 would like to thank Michael for his efforts.

Johann Zarco

Position: 3rd – Championship: 6th – Points: 154

“It was a great race and I am happy to be on the podium again. I was a bit worried about riding in the wet because when it rained on Friday, I was not fast and overall, Marquez and Dovizioso were pretty quick. Today I used the soft tyre in order to be safe but also to get some feeling and the lap times during the race were not amazing, yet, they were fast enough to lead and I opened up a gap. It was good to start the GP in this way, and even though I felt that I couldn’t push anymore, I did enough to stay first. Then, when the two Ducati riders overtook me, I thought about fighting with them. Eventually, I lost too much in acceleration so I had to push a lot on the brakes. Yet, it was too risky and I lost the rear twice. I wasn’t sure about what to do, however, I expected the track to dry a bit, and then I wanted to attempt to catch them, but I was limited. On the last three laps, I ran alone in third, so I decided to stay focused and the result was already pretty good so I chose to be safe and enjoy it!”

Michael van der Mark

Position: 16th – Championship: Not Classified

“I am really happy with today’s result, even though it was typical Malaysia and just before the race commenced, it rained again! The team and I changed the bike considerably compared to Friday when it was wet and we went softer on the rear. I had quite a good start, and the first half of the GP went very positively as I followed the guys in front of me and I fought with a lot of riders. I’m pleased with my performance, even if I wasn’t completely happy with the bike, but it was only my second time on the YZR-M1 in the wet. In my eyes, to fight for the points and follow Maverick was really amazing. When it dried a little bit, I struggled slightly more than him, yet, I could run a similar pace. I think I lacked a bit of confidence with the turning of the bike, otherwise, I may have been able to stay with the big group in front of me. I hoped to catch them with Maverick, but I also wanted to finish the race, which I did. Overall, I enjoyed the weekend a lot and my first experience with the YZR-M1 was just amazing.”

Hervé PONCHARAL

Team manager

“It’s a great way to end these three flyaway races and the weather, as well as the track conditions, were tricky but finally, we got the podium that we were dreaming of after the one we had in Le Mans. I was really sad and bitter to have just missed out on third in Australia and I thought maybe that was the last opportunity of the season for Johann to get on the rostrum again. However, he proved me wrong today. He was fast and confident about scoring a solid result in the dry, but when we saw the rain falling, we thought the chance had gone, because the feeling on Friday in the wet was not very good. He chose the soft rear tyre, started well, got his head down and ran a strong rhythm which allowed him to be in the lead for the first seven laps. This was an incredible feeling for him but even more so for us. We knew that it was always going to be difficult to stay in front of the Ducati bikes and when they passed us, it was almost like it was the plan. Then we saw Marquez closing and I was scared because we know how fast and how much of a warrior he is. Yet, when Johann saw the gap was shrinking between himself and Marc, he pushed more and finally, Marquez gave up. This is something we have to be proud about as Marc does not often give up. A podium is an incredible reward and three consecutive front rows starts, and a near podium in Australia all mean that the flyway races have gone very positively. We can see that Johann is growing and he is so much more of a MotoGP rider than when we began the year of course. On the other side of the garage, Michael van der Mark did a brilliant job. I want to thank him because it was not easy to jump on a MotoGP bike at round 17 when everyone is fast and they know their bikes so well. Like with Broc last week, he had to discover the carbon brakes, the Michelin tyres and the electronics. Yet, Michael did a top job. He was a bit unhappy with himself after the crash in qualifying, but today he showed great determination. He had a strong start and fought with Cal Crutchlow, who is a Grand Prix winner in the wet, Iannone and he closed in on the factory Yamaha’s. I must thank him for his super effort and I hope, and I think it may happen, that we will see him on the YZR-M1 in the future. Let’s hope this performance will give him a special boost that will translate into a podium in the final WorldSBK race in Qatar next week. I must say thanks to the entire Monster Yamaha Tech3 team, so let’s fly back home and enjoy some well-deserved rest.”

More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:

UNLUCKY RACE FOR TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR IN MALAYSIA

After two positive races in Japan and Australia, rain arrived right before the Malaysian GP began and heavily affected a race that could have been another encouraging one for the Team SUZUKI ECSTAR riders. Andrea Iannone ended his Malaysian GP in 17th place, while Alex Rins was unable to finish the race.

The improvements made during the free practice and qualifying sessions paid were rewarded in the warm up, when both Iannone and Rins set an effective and solid pace; the former classified 5th with a time of 2’00.657, while the latter came in 12th with 2’00.827. The feeling was upbeat and the hopes for the race were reasonably high.

Just one hour before the start of the MotoGP, a heavy rainstorm arrived with a downpour on the Sepang International Circuit, causing engineers and mechanics to revise all the race strategies and change bikes’ settings. Iannone used his experience to his advantage at the start, holding his position during the early laps. Unfortunately, as the tyres became more and more worn his pace grew slower and slower. He was forced to concede position after position until the finish, ending in 17th place.

After a positive start, Rins fought with the leading pack for 6th place position, before sliding off the track at corner one during the 6th lap. This left him in the next to last place. He was able to rejoin the race, but in his attempt to catch up in the race, he took another slide. He then was going back to the pit to change his GSX-RR, but in this process he took a shortcut and did not complete the entire lap. That error generated the black flag penalty.

Ken Kawauchi – Technical Manager

“I’m so disappointed because we had three races in a row, and the first two we did a good job. The first was in Motegi in wet conditions and then in Phillip Island, and now this time on a dry track. But in Sepang, despite the qualifying not being so bad, the race it was not as we expected. We had confidence in wet conditions as well, but the race was a disaster. We have to investigate the data of what happened with Andrea and why he couldn’t ride as he should and get a good result. Alex was having a good race at the beginning but unfortunately, he crashed and he was sorry for the mistake. We have to improve with him. Now we are facing the last race of the season, so because of that, it should be the best race with which to close the championship with a good result.”

Davide Brivio – Team Manager

“It was a very difficult race. It’s a shame that it rained before the race because we were prepared for a dry race. With the rain Alex was quite fast, close to the first group. Unfortunately, he crashed twice and in trying to switch bike as quickly as possible, he got a black flag because he used the shortcut to the pit lane access. His race was over. Regarding Andrea, he couldn’t find the pace with the bike and we have to figure out what happened, why he wasn´t as fast as in Motegi. Let’s say it wasn’t a day to remember. Anyway, we look forward to closing the Championship in the best possible way.”

Andrea Iannone

“It’s hard to find the words to describe this race. In the wet everything got complicated and it was very hard to ride. It’s a shame because this morning in the warm-up we were very fast. We were confident and positive; we could have had the chance in race to fight for important positions. Until this morning we managed to improve the machine. So, despite the race we have done a good job. In race the bike was very hard to ride. I couldn’t even stand up; I felt no grip either at the front or at the rear. In these conditions it was very hard to compete.”

Alex Rins

“The weekend has been very good, progressing and getting a good qualifying position. I focused on making a good start and try to cling to the group in front. I gained two positions in the first lap and I was well positioned, but I did not feel good on the bike on the wet surface. I skated a lot and I lost rhythm. In corner one I lost control of the front and I fell. The important thing is that we continue to get experience. This weekend has been good because I have been able to learn from other riders, and to continue that good job in Valencia.”

More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:

Honda secures 2017 Constructor Title in Malaysia, Rider Title to be decided in Valencia

In typical Malaysian fashion, the sun that had shone until half an hour before the start of the MotoGP race was replaced by a sudden heavy thunderstorm that did not last long but left the track completely soaked.

Marc Marquez, on a rain front Michelin tyre and a medium rear, got away brilliantly from the third row and completed the first lap in third place. He was passed by Andrea Dovizioso on the fifth lap, and when he realized that he could not match the pace of the three frontrunners, he settled for fourth place which, combined with the achievements of Dani Pedrosa and Cal Crutchlow this season, earned Honda the 2017 MotoGP Constructor title. It was the manufacturer’s 23rd such crown in history, and the sixth out of the last seven seasons.

With Dovizioso winning the race in front of Jorge Lorenzo and Johan Zarco, Marc will arrive at the season finale in Valencia leading the standings by 21 points over the Italian.

Pedrosa, who had been the fastest rider in Saturday’s dry conditions, wasn’t the happiest man when the rain started to fall, but a completely different setup prepared by his team, and the decision to use a soft rear tyre, allowed him to keep a decent pace and take fifth place, just behind his teammate.

Marc Marquez 93

4TH

“Today the race was the most difficult one we could have had for the Championship because we had rain conditions and the track was extremely slippery. Anyway, I got a good start, and I tried to push at the beginning because I didn’t want to be stuck in the middle of the group. Then I tried to find the feeling and the pace but I saw that both the Ducatis were very fast, so I decided to not take too many risks, to be calm, and to get good points for the Championship. I thought about trying to get Zarco but the risk was too big just to have an advantage of 24 points instead of 21. This wasn’t the race to win the Title but rather one to get closer to it. I’m happy because after a difficult weekend, at a track were we always struggle, we still managed to finish fourth. Of course now we need to keep focused, to train well this week, and to work to be at 100% on Sunday in Valencia without relaxing too much with the advantage we have. Today we won the Constructor Title, and that’s a first step!”

Dani Pedrosa 26

5TH

“Overall I’m happy with the result, and I’d like to thank my team for giving me a bike that allowed me to be competitive. Of course after earning the pole yesterday, the expectations would have been high if the conditions were dry, and when I saw the rain starting to fall I thought we might go from first to last. But in the end we changed the setting, trying something we had never used before in an effort to get more rear grip, and it worked! That and the choice of the soft rear tyre gave me confidence. The feeling still wasn’t perfect because the tyre was spinning on the straights, but at least it gave me edge grip and I was able to lean the bike. We’ve learned something that I think may also be helpful for the technicians in the future, so we can be satisfied. Today Honda won the Constructor Championship, and that’s important. It’s another title for the Company, and I’m happy about that.”

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda:

TOUGH RACE FOR CRUTCHLOW AT SEPANG

LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow endured disappointment on his birthday as he had to settle for 15th place at the Malaysia Grand Prix. The Briton, who turned 32 on Sunday, was frustrated by a rear tyre issue at the Sepang International Circuit which ensured he was unable to challenge towards the front of the field at the penultimate round of this year’s MotoGP World Championship.

Having qualified down in tenth spot, Crutchlow always faced an uphill battle with more rain in Malaysia ensuring a wet race on Sunday. But an issue with a misshapen rear tyre meant he was unable to push hard at any point, leaving him lapping towards the back for the entirety of the race. Despite his obvious frustration, Crutchlow is already looking forward to the season’s finale in Valencia where he will look to sign off with a more positive result.

Sunday’s race was won by Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, ensuring his World Championship battle with Honda’s Marc Marquez will now go down to the final round.

Cal Crutchlow – 15th

“Today was a very tough day. To finish 15th in the rainy conditions is very disappointing, but we had a clear issue from the warm-up lap of the race so I just had to try and stay on the bike to collect some points. We’re obviously very disappointed as a team, and me as a rider, to have this issue, but we have to go to the last race of the year in Valencia with a positive mindset.

“I felt that we would be a lot more competitive in the rain today that what we have been, but we had something categorically wrong with the rear tyre of the bike. I had a lot of vibrations and I was in survival mode for the whole of the race. I was riding just trying to stay on the bike, only when it started to dry towards the end of the race was I able to really open the throttle of the bike in the correct way. But let’s wait and see what Valencia brings for us.”

More, from a press release issued by Movistar Yamaha:

DETERMINED MOVISTAR YAMAHA FINISH SEVENTH AND NINTH IN DRENCHED SEPANG

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales gave a brave performance at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix today. The teammates needed a couple of laps to come to grips with the wet race conditions, but a strong second wind from both riders saw them secure seventh and ninth place respectively.

Sepang (Malaysia), 29th October 2017

All eyes were on the skies at the Sepang International Circuit today as Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales lined up their bikes on the grid minutes before the start of a drama-filled Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. After a dry warm up session, the wet conditions for the race made tyre choice crucial. The teammates pushed hard in the wet, whilst being careful not to get caught out by the slippery conditions. They secured seventh and ninth place respectively.

Thick clouds looked threatening, as the Doctor started the 20-lap race from fourth on the grid. Uncertain about how hard he could brake going into the first corner, he lost some positions and completed the first lap in 11th place, but it was just the start. Rossi used his experience to turn his fortunes around, steadily improving his pace and picking up places as more and more riders fell victim to the wet conditions.

He reached eighth place on lap 6. Trying to stay in contention for a good result, he was pushing to close the gap to seventh, but his attention was demanded elsewhere as Danilo Petrucci overtook him three laps later. The nine-time World Champion didn‘t give up the fight and used his compatriot as a tow towards Pol Espargaró in seventh place.

As the track dried and the tyre degradation started to take its toll on his rivals, the Italian overtook Espargaró for eighth place with eight laps to go. It was a signal for Rossi to set a series of personal best sectors, showing his eagerness to join the fight at the front. One lap later he overtook Scott Redding, which motivated him even further. Though he came close, within 0.4s over the finish line, he was unable to close the gap Petrucci. He took the chequered flag in seventh place, 30.769s from the front.

Viñales had a good start from fifth place, but with the conditions having changed so drastically from those in the warm up, he didn‘t risk going hell for leather on the first lap. Rather, the youngster waited for the tyres to warm up and come to him. He fell back to 16th place in the first three laps of the race, before he was able to up his pace noticeably.

Several riders saw their race end early because of the treacherous conditions, but the Spaniard was determined to keep his head down. He continued to give his all and had climbed back up to 13th midway through the race.

Encouraged by the progress, the Yamaha rider spurred on his YZR-M1. At this point he was riding consistently in the 2‘15s and began to make further strides. He picked up various places, ultimately taking over ninth position, two laps before the end of the race, which he held over the finish line, 38.053s from the front.

Rossi’s nine-point score increases his total to 197 points, as he holds fourth in the championship standings, 29 points behind Viñales in third place. Yamaha have dropped to third in the Constructor rankings with a 31-point margin. The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team are still second in the Team classification, 44 points from the top.

After three full-on consecutive MotoGP weekends, the team members look forward to returning to Europe to enjoy a short rest before the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, the final race of the 2017 season, in two weeks‘ time.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI

TEAM DIRECTOR

We knew from the start that the weather was going to be a major factor in how today‘s race was going to play out. We had wet track time in FP2 this weekend and the feeling was quite positive, especially for Maverick, but today the situation was different and we have to understand the reason. The riders couldn‘t warm up the rear tyre until midway through the race and this cost them a lot of positions. When the feeling with the tyre got better, the lap times improved considerably, but unfortunately it was too late. We have to understand how the conditions of the track were different compared to Friday, because the bikes had quite similar settings today to the ones used in FP2. We’ll put this weekend behind us and after a week off we’ll focus on the final GP in Valencia in two weeks’ time. Our challenge in the Constructor Championship has come to an end and the Team Title also will be very difficult to achieve, but we‘re still aiming to make a strong comeback, to end the season on a high note.

VALENTINO ROSSI

We were a little bit unlucky with the weather because I think that on the dry we could have been competitive. We wanted to do a good race because we arrived here fresh from a podium on Phillip Island and it‘s good to try to stay at the top, but it rained. Unfortunately, today we also weren‘t strong enough with this bike on the wet. We had a lot of problems and I was struggling for more or less three quarters of the race. We need to understand the situation and try to improve and that‘s just the way it is. We‘ll see what happens in Valencia. It‘s another important race and a difficult track, but we‘ll see. We‘ll try to be competitive.

MAVERICK VIÑALES

I thought we made a big step in Phillip Island in the wet, and actually I felt really good during FP2. We were third in the results and every lap I did I felt in a good rhythm. In the race it was a totally different feeling, I was losing the rear in the corners and couldn‘t lean, so it was very difficult to get a good rhythm and confidence. Anyway, I have to keep FP2 and the warm up on Phillip Island in mind and don‘t think about today‘s race too much, because we had some issues today, but we were fast in some other sessions. I think Valencia is a good track. Actually, in the warm up we found a setting that gives me a lot of confidence. I‘m quite happy about that, also because I know we have a good opportunity in Valencia, as it‘s a track I really like and where I always have been fast. We‘ll see what happens and try to complete the race there in the best way possible.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

#NeverSayNever: Dovi wins to take the title fight to the wire

It ain’t over ’til it’s over: Dovizioso takes 25 points at Sepang

Nerves of steel for the Italian as he slices through the rain to take back-to-back wins at Sepang

It was a must win in many ways for Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso as the paddock arrived at Sepang International Circuit, and the Italian kept calm under intense pressure to secure his sixth win of the season – and take the Championship fight down to the wire. Slicing through the rain to catch and pass teammate Jorge Lorenzo, Dovizioso was seven tenths clear of the Majorcan at the flag in a 1-2 for Ducatu – and key rival Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) crossed the line in fourth. Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completed the podium after a stunning start, wrapping up the title of top Independent Team rider.

It was Marquez who took an incredible initial holeshot from the third row, but the reigning Champion headed wide along with Lorenzo – allowing Zarco to slice through into the lead. Once there, the Frenchman lit it up to escape into the distance, and Lorenzo moved through to chase the Tech 3 rider down. Marquez slotted into third, with Dovizioso initially the man to lose out – but the Italian soon began to move through.

Zarco’s lead began to diminish, Dovizioso passed Marquez, and then both Ducatis were able to pass the Frenchman. It seemed Marquez would have the pace to take third from Zarco, but the reigning Champion couldn’t make up the ground. At the front, Lorenzo was holding firm as the two red machines streaked away – but the number 99 then suffered a moment at Turn 15 with a foot off the footpeg. ‘DesmoDovi’ saw his chance to strike, then facing down some nervous laps as the end of the race neared. Lorenzo brought it back to seven tenths over the line, with Zarco back on the rostrum in third.

Marquez was eight seconds further back in fourth, with polesitter and teammate Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) completing the top five after a more promising showing in the wet for the former winner at the venue in similar conditions. Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) put in a superstar performance in the wet as he was forced to start from the back after a technical problem with his number one bike, and moved up to take sixth over the line – a gain of over 15 places.

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was close to his compatriot by the end of the race to take seventh and only four tenths back, ahead of a more lonely finish for EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider Jack Miller into P8. Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) had a tough race for ninth, with Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory) giving KTM another consecutive top ten finish after another impressive race.

Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) took P11, with the points scorers completed by Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing), Hector Barbera (Reale Avintia Racing) and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda.)

It’s now truly everything or nothing for the two title challengers, and the Championship comes back to Europe for the final showdown at Valencia. Marquez leads by 21 points, so it’s a long shot for ‘DesmoDovi’…but never, ever say never.

MotoGP Race Results

1 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA – Ducati) 44’51.497

2 – Jorge Lorenzo (SPA – Ducati) + 0.743

1st Independent Team Rider:

3 – Johann Zarco (FRA – Yamaha) +9.738

Oliveira unstoppable as Morbidelli celebrates in style

Another KTM 1-2 in Malaysia as Binder takes second – and the new World Champion completes the podium

Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took back-to-back wins for the first time in Moto2™ with a stunning demolition job at Sepang International Circuit, over five seconds clear at one point and putting in a faultless ride to the flag despite the late threat of rain. Rookie teammate Brad Binder made it another 1-2 for the Austrian factory as he took his second Moto2™ podium in second, able to get past new Moto2™ World Champion Franco Morbidelli in the latter stages. The number 21 – who has led the standings all year – completed the rostrum.

Earlier in the day it was announced that key title rival Tom Lüthi (CarXpert Interwetten) had been declared unfit to race, so Morbidelli’s 29 point advantage going into the Malaysian GP was enough to secure the crown. But celebrations waited until after the flag, when the customary number one was stuck to the front of Morbidelli’s EG 0,0 Marc VDS machine on the way back to parc ferme.

Behind the fastest three in front, Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) made a late charge to take advantage of the late rain flags and make it into fourth, three tenths ahead of Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) after the Rookie of the Year initially mounted a podium challenge then completed the top five. It was an even closer finish for sixth, with local hero Hafizh Syahrin (Petronas Raceline Malaysia) just catching and getting the better of front row starter Fabio Quartararo (Pons HP 40) by 0.078 seconds.

Xavi Vierge (Tech 3 Racing) and Isaac Viñales (BE-A-VIP SAG Team) were two more close finishers, just 0.068 apart in P8 and P9 respectively. Tetsuta Nagashima (Teluru SAG Team) completed the top ten after a solid ride for his best finish so far.

Simone Corsi and Augusto Fernandez (Speed Up), Andrea Locatelli (Italtrans Racing Team), Iker Lecuona and Jesko Raffin (Garage Plus Interwetten) completed the points scorers – with a number of high profile DNFs in the race, including one for Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS).

Now the title is wrapped up and a little more history has been made, it’s back to European soil for the final circus of the season in Valencia.

Moto2 Results

1 – Miguel Oliveira (POR – KTM) 40’28.955

2 – Brad Binder (RSA – KTM) +2.387

3 – Franco Morbidelli (ITA – Kalex) +6.878

#MalaysianGP: Mir hunts down Martin to equal Marquez

World Champion takes win number ten of the year after catching and passing Jorge Martin

Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) backed up his win and Championship title from Phillip Island with another impressive performance at Sepang International Circuit, taking the win after catching and passing early leader Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3). Martin took second – just – after dueling with Enea Bastianini (Estrella Galicia 0,0) to the line. Bastianini was just 0.039 off the Spaniard over the line to complete the podium. Mir now has 11 wins to extend his lead in the record books in the “most wins in Moto3™” category, and is the first rider to win ten races in a year in the lighweight category since Marc Marquez in 2010.

It was Martin who got the holeshot from second on the grid, and the Spaniard shot away into the lead early – six tenths inside the lap record second time around. In clear air and breaking the slipstream effect early, it seemed it could be a done deal – but Mir was soon on the chase. The new Champion reeled in his compatriot and sliced past as soon as he was on the scene – but he wasn’t able to escape. Bastianini was then able to catch the pair and the three were together on track until a close moment between the number 33 and the number 88 allowed Mir to make a break for it.

Not needing a second invitation, the Majorcan was then able to hold onto it and leave the two behind to duel it out for the remaining spots on the podium, with that decided at the final corner in favour of Martin.

Livio Loi (Leopard Racing) put in another impressive ride after bouncing back from a broken collarbone earlier in the season, and the Belgian had a lonely ride to fourth. He was ahead of an incredible group battle for fifth as John McPhee (British Talent Team) made his move late to take the reins in that fight, crossing the line in P5 by just 0.039 over Andrea Migno (Sky Racing Team VR46).

Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) took seventh ahead of his rival for second in the standings Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0), thereby confirming himself as the runner up in 2017. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) was able to move up from his grid position for ninth, with Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the top ten.

Adam Norrodin (SIC Racing Team) had an eventful home race as he was running up near the front for some time before a crash, remounting in a flash and getting back in the action in fourteenth. By the end of the race, the Malaysian was able to take eleventh and just beat rookie teammate Ayumu Sasaki at the flag – but it was a solid double points finish and a positive home weekend for the Sepang International Circuit Racing Team.

RBA Racing Team duo Juanfran Guevara and Gabriel Rodrigo took P13 and P14 respectively, with Manuel Pagliani (CIP) completing the points scorers. Now it’s back west for the final round in Spain.

Moto3 Race Results

1 – Joan Mir (SPA – Honda) 40’14.545

2 – Jorge Martin (SPA – Honda) + 0.724

3 – Enea Bastianini (ITA – Honda) + 0.763

More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Fantastic 1-2 victory for Ducati at Sepang. Andrea Dovizioso wins the Shell Malaysia Grand Prix ahead of Jorge Lorenzo to keep his title hopes alive, 21 points behind Marquez

The two Ducati Team riders produced an outstanding performance today at the Sepang International Circuit, with Andrea Dovizioso winning the Shell Malaysia Grand Prix, held on a wet track, ahead of his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. With this victory, his sixth of the season, Dovizioso keeps the title battle alive and at this point it will go down to the final round of the season at Valencia from 10-12 November.

Dovizioso, who started from row 3 in third place, didn’t get a perfect start and had to battle with

Pedrosa on the opening lap. The Italian then caught and passed Marquez on lap 5, before setting after the leading duo made up of Zarco and Lorenzo. On lap 9 both Ducati Team riders passed the Frenchman and then Dovizioso was able to overtake his team-mate five laps from the end and hold on to first place until the chequered flag.

Jorge Lorenzo also did a great race, the Spanish rider getting an excellent start from the second row and immediately setting after the provisional race leader Zarco. The rider from Mallorca took over at the front on lap 9 and when he was caught and passed by Dovizioso, he followed his team-mate home for the runner-up slot.

Thanks to today’s results, Ducati moves into second place in the Constructors’ standings with 303 points, two more than Yamaha.

The MotoGP riders will be back in action in two weeks’ time for the final and decisive round of the 2017 season, scheduled for 10-12 November, at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo Circuit.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 1st

“It was a truly perfect weekend: we were quick in every session, both in the dry and in the wet, and today in the rain we dominated. Here at Sepang Jorge and I really had a bike advantage, because our Desmosedici was very fast, and we managed to administer the gap in the best possible way even though track conditions were very difficult because there wasn’t much grip. I’m very pleased for the win which keeps my hopes alive for the title, and even though I know it will be very difficult at Valencia because it’s a track where Marquez always goes well, we’ll be going to Spain with confidence to try and bring home the victory.”

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team #99) – 2nd

“It was a great race that showed the progress we made throughout the weekend. I was really at ease on the bike, and even though I’d have preferred a dry race, when I saw it was raining I changed my mentality and tried to keep focussed, in order to avoid a mistake like Misano. I pushed hard but in the last few laps I was in a bit of crisis with the tyres, especially the front, and had a few scary moments in some corners. It wasn’t the right time to do anything stupid and when I almost crashed at Turn 15 and Andrea passed me I realized that I wasn’t going to be able to fight for the win. I know exactly how important a world title is for Ducati, Dovizioso has had a fantastic season and deserves to fight for the championship right down to the last race. In this weekend Andrea has always been faster and I’m pleased for the team for this first 1-2 win of the season, because it means we’re working really well.”

Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)

“I’m really pleased about today’s splendid result, which keeps the title battle open until the final round. Both Andrea and Jorge did a perfect race, without making any mistakes despite difficult track conditions and the Ducati proved to be the bike to beat on this track. It was a memorable team result: now we are going to Valencia with the knowledge that it will be a tough task but we will play our cards right down to the very end.”

More, from a press release issued by Reale Avintia Racing:

Baz shines in the rain without reward, Barberá takes two points

The sun was shining all morning at the Sepang International Circuit, but just before the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix was about to start, the forecasted rainstorms arrived. The mechanics of Reale Avintia Racing had to work against the clock to change the settings for a wet race, while the riders, Hector Barbera and Loris Baz, wondered if the bad feelings of Friday in the wet would come back again.

Baz made up his mind in the sighting lap and switched to the Michelin’s softer compound of the rear tyre, even though he knew that it would not last the whole race. But the Frenchman took the risk and it paid off, at least at the beginning of the race, where he had a great comeback that took him from 17th position on the grid to the ninth in the first lap. After a good fight with Valentino Rossi and Álex Rins, the Reale Avintia Racing rider was sixth, but on the sixth lap of the race he pushed the front too much and crashed.

His teammate Héctor Barberá tried to play it safe and preferred to start with the medium rear compound, but was left with not enough grip during the entire 20-lap race. He nevertheless managed to stay on two wheels and finally scored two points with his 14th position.

The 2017 MotoGP World Championship concludes at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, where the Valencia Grand Prix will take place in two weeks time.

Hector Barbera | P14

“It was a very difficult race. From the beginning, I struggled because I made the wrong tyre selection and it was like riding on ice. I decided to start with the harder tyre, the same one I used last year when I finished fourth here, but this time it was impossible to go fast. I think the track today just suited the soft compound. I also realised as early as in the warm-up lap that the bike was very stiff. During the whole race, I had very bad feeling and I just focused on finishing the race. It’s a shame, because we had a good chance to make a good result today. Now we left it for Valencia, which is the last race of the championship, my home race and also the last race with my team.”

Loris Baz | DNF

“Finally we had a wet race and coming onto the grid with the hard rear tyre, I had no feeling, like on Friday. That’s why we decided to race with the soft, although we knew that it would be difficult to save the tyre until the end as it likely to overheat. But we took the risk and I thought that I would be able to do a few laps with confidence, attack and then manage the advantage until the end. In the warm-up lap I saw immediately that the rubber was working really well. I had a great comeback in the first lap, up to ninth place, and I had a great time battling with everyone. At least once in my life I have been able to fight side by side with Rossi…it was great! Then the tyre got very hot and I pushed hard with the front and made a mistake. I got into a corner very fast and in order to slow down more, I downshifted and then I crashed. It’s a shame, but I’m still satisfied, because it was either this or finish in the last place, struggling for all the race. “

More, from a press release issued by Michelin:

MICHELIN RAIN TYRES SEE DOVIZIOSO TO VICTORY AT A SOAKED SEPANG

MICHELIN Power Rain tyres were again put through their MotoGP™ paces as a massive downpour shortly before the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix soaked the track leading to a wet race which saw Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) splash to victory.

Torrential rain fell over the 5,543m Sepang International Circuit 30-minutes before the start of the race, causing frantic action in the pits as all the teams were forced to change from MICHELIN Power Slick tyres to their wet counterparts. Although the heavy rain subsided, the track was thoroughly wet and stayed in that condition for the whole 20-laps, making conditions extremely difficult for all concerned. This was due to reduced adhesion from the surface because of the amount of dirty water on top of the rubber that had been laid in scorching hot conditions on the previous day and in today’s two Moto3™ and Moto2™ races.

As the lights changed to signal the beginning of the race, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) got a great start from the third row of the grid challenging pole-setter Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) and Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) to the first corner. Zarco, using the medium front and soft rear configuration of rain tyres, got there first and led for the next eight-laps before coming under-pressure and then being passed by Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team). The Spaniard then looked to control the race from the front as he tried to make a break, with only his team-mate Dovizioso for company. The duo had both chosen the medium front and rear pairing of tyres and used the grip provided by the MICHELIN Power Rain tyres to push at the front in the tricky conditions, with Dovizioso setting the fastest lap of the race in the process. A mistake on the final turn by Lorenzo on lap-16 then gave Dovizioso the opportunity to grab the lead, which he duly did and held on until the chequered flag and take his sixth victory of the year, giving Ducati its first one-two of the season in the process. Zarco placed third, a result which saw him as First Independent Rider and secure that title for 2017.

Marquez was next to cross the line, a result which leaves him 21-points ahead of Dovizioso in the championship and means that the title-race will now go to the final event to decide this year’s champion. Fifth was Pedrosa, with Danilo Petrucci (OCTO Pramac Racing) getting up to sixth after arguably the ride of the day, as the Italian was forced to start from pit-lane after all the other riders had started, because his bike had an issue on the warm-up lap and he had to get back to the pits and use his spare machine. Seventh was Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), with Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) coming home in eighth. Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounded out the top-10.

Despite the threat of heavy rain for today’s event, 97,457 fans filled the stands around the circuit, making it the largest race crowd so far recorded at Sepang and earlier in the day they witnessed Franco Morbidelli crowned Moto2 World Champion, taking the title before he moves to MotoGP in 2018.

Michelin and MotoGP now draws a veil over the three-week Asian-Pacific tour, which has seen some incredible racing at three very different venues. The whole paddock now heads to Valencia in Spain where the title will be decided on Sunday 12th November.

Andrea Dovizioso — (Ducati Team):

“It was such a difficult race because the grip was less than it was in the wet on Friday. Maybe this was because of the amount of rubber on the ground and it took a while for me to get a rhythm. The tyre did not drop during the race, but you had to play with the limit because the grip was very low from the track. We managed in a good way and our bike in the wet with the Michelin rain tyres works so good.”

Nicolas Goubert — Deputy Director, Technical Director and Supervisor of the MotoGP Programme:

“Over such a long track and in very tricky conditions we saw lap-times of only just over 10% more than what the guys were doing in the dry and today’s surface was extremely compromised from the amount of rubber laid in yesterday’s practices – where track temperatures were over 50°C – and in the two races earlier today, and also probably from the dust that was in the rain that fell. This made grip a real issue from the asphalt and we are pleased how our tyres behaved in these conditions.

“In the dry yesterday we saw some fantastic lap-times and all the guys reported high levels of grip and if we had had a dry race today all three compounds would most probably have been used, again showing that the variations we bring can be used by all the riders. These three weeks have seen some great racing and we have collected a huge amount of information, which we will now work on and use to move forward in any ways we deem necessary. Now it’s on to Valencia and the final race where we will see the title decided.”