Rossi romps to Malaysia victory

From motogp.com

Valentino Rossi took victory number nine of his 2008 season in the Polini Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Sunday, escaping from the clutches of Dani Pedrosa in the final third of an exciting race at the Sepang circuit.

The 2008 MotoGP World Champion had started from second on the grid, but held onto the tail of Pedrosa's Repsol Honda RC212V as his rival attempted to make an early breakaway. After taking the lead from the Spaniard on lap 10 Rossi set about creating an advantage of his own, and as the race entered the final third the biggest problem for the Italian was the threat of rain.

With the option open to come in and change bikes, the Fiat Yamaha man - and indeed all the other riders so used to the changeable nature of conditions in Sepang - elected to stick out the light rainfall, a decision vindicated when the rain passed and the high temperatures quickly dried up any residual wetness.

With his latest podium finish Rossi extends his run of rostrum placings to eight consecutive Grands Prix, with a chance of win number 10 in Valencia at next weekend's season finale.

"The conditions were unbelievable because the temperatures were incredible out there," Rossi said. "We worked hard to get the M1 strong during the winter here, and we knew that the bike was suitable for the type of corners that we have here. We worked very well with the team this year and started off with a great setting.

"I had a great battle early in the race with Dani, but I had 10 laps alone which, although the track is fun, were hard work."

Pedrosa placed inside the top three in Sepang for the third time in as many premier class visits to the Malaysian track, although it was not enough to keep the battle for the runner-up spot in the 2008 World Championship standings alive. Nonetheless, the Spaniard recorded his best race result on Bridgestone tires after taking his first pole for the Japanese manufacturer on Saturday afternoon.

"When I was in front I felt that Valentino was comfortable behind me all the time," Pedrosa said. "I knew that he would push when in front, but I was unable to improve my pace. Valentino always gives more in the race than in practice, and we need to learn this and push harder."

With just one race left in his maiden MotoGP season, Andrea Dovizioso finally achieved a first premier class podium after a tooth-and-nail battle with Nicky Hayden. The JiR Team Scot rider also moved further into contention for the Rookie of the Year honour as his result combined with a crash from rival Jorge Lorenzo.

"I'm really happy about my first podium," Dovizioso said. "It was very difficult this year, we had many problems. We worked a lot and can be really happy with the result. It was a difficult race because of the temperature. I never saw Nicky´s line so I didn't know where he would try to overtake me."

San Carlo Honda Gresini's Shinya Nakano showed that he was also up for a battle, eventually keeping the fifth spot despite the best attempts of 2007 Sepang race winner Casey Stoner. Sixth place was enough for Stoner to confirm second in the season's overall classification.

Loris Capirossi, Colin Edwards, Chris Vermeulen and Randy de Puniet rounded off the first 10 past the chequered flag in the 21-lap race.

Results
1. V. ROSSI ITA (Fiat Yamaha Team) 43:06.007
2. D. PEDROSA SPA (Repsol Honda Team) +4.008
3. A. DOVIZIOSO ITA (JiR Team Scot MotoGP) +8.536
4. N. HAYDEN USA (Repsol Honda Team) +8.858
5. S. NAKANO JPN (San Carlo Honda Gresini) +10.583
6. C. STONER AUS (Ducati Marlboro Team) +13.640
7. L. CAPIROSSI ITA (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) +15.936
8. C. EDWARDS USA (Tech 3 Yamaha) +18.802
9. C. VERMEULEN AUS (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) +23.174
10. R. DE PUNIET FRA (LCR Honda MotoGP) +25.516
11. J. HOPKINS USA (Kawasaki Racing Team) +27.609
12. A. WEST AUS (Kawasaki Racing Team) +41.399
13. S. GUINTOLI FRA (Alice Team) +45.617
14. A. DE ANGELIS RSM (San Carlo Honda Gresini) +49.003
15. T. ELIAS SPA (Alice Team) +59.139
16. M. MELANDRI ITA (Ducati Marlboro Team) +1:03.328
17. N. AOKI JPN (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) +1:48.363
Not classified
J. LORENZO SPA (Fiat Yamaha Team) +9 Laps
J. TOSELAND GBR (Tech 3 Yamaha) +19 Laps

Point Standings
1. Valentino ROSSI (Fiat Yamaha Team) 357
2. Casey STONER (Ducati Marlboro Team) 255
3. Dani PEDROSA (Repsol Honda Team) 229
4. Jorge LORENZO (Fiat Yamaha Team) 182
5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (JiR Team Scot MotoGP) 161
6. Nicky HAYDEN (Repsol Honda Team) 144
7. Colin EDWARDS (Tech 3 Yamaha) 134
8. Chris VERMEULEN (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 125
9. Shinya NAKANO (San Carlo Honda Gresini) 117
10. Loris CAPIROSSI (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 111
11. James TOSELAND (Tech 3 Yamaha) 100
12. Toni ELIAS (Alice Team) 92
13. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Alice Team) 63
14. Randy DE PUNIET (LCR Honda MotoGP) 60
15. Alex DE ANGELIS (San Carlo Honda Gresini) 57
16. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki Racing Team) 55
17. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati Marlboro Team) 51
18. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki Racing Team) 50
19. Ben SPIES (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 20
20. Jamie HACKING (Kawasaki Racing Team) 5
21. Tadayuki OKADA (Repsol Honda Team) 2