With Jorge Lorenzo needing to finish sixth or better to clinch the 2010 World Championship, his main opponent (Dani Pedrosa) injured, and most key riders already signed for 2011, there was not much to settle at this year’s Malaysia event. Things got even leaner when Casey Stoner, already on his way to Honda for next year, fell off his Ducati at the end of the first lap.

Happily for everyone concerned, Valentino Rossi decided to put on a MotoGP race strategy clinic – a spectacular one – as he cut through the field from 11th place on the first lap right to the front, in only ten laps or so - winning the race without having to force his talent at any time.

The artistic success fired up the crowd no end, proving to every stakeholder in MotoGP that Vale is the Man, the one rider essential to the success of a World Championship that is now down to 16 starters. Everyone is now looking forward to new engine rules (Again!) based on stock engines, much to the distress of the World Superbike Championship promoters (Down to 21 starters from 40 a few years ago!).

Anybody remember how MotoGP organizers barred the Harris in 2002, claiming that the Yamaha R1-based engine was not a true prototype? Give it two years and every bike on the grid will be sporting a production-based or production-bound motor, rather than the expensive and short-lived 800 or 990cc engines we have seen so far in MotoGP.

But back to the race, as Rossi’s win ended his longest-ever MotoGP victory drought, his last win dating back to the Qatar season opener six months ago.

Ben Spies (Yamaha) grabbed fourth for Tech 3 Yamaha while Alvaro Bautista (Suzuki) equalled his career-best in fifth.

MotoGP Sepang - Results
Pos Rider Team Time/Gap
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 41m03.448s
2. Andrea Dovizioso Honda + 0.224s
3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha + 6.035s
4. Ben Spies Yamaha + 13.676s
5. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki + 15.402s
6. Nicky Hayden Ducati + 18.826s
7. Hiroshi Aoyama Honda + 20.218s
8. Marco Simoncelli Honda + 23.574s
9. Marco Melandri Honda + 23.964s
10. Randy de Puniet Honda + 31.850s
11. Hector Barbera Ducati + 38.579s
12. Mika Kallio Ducati + 38.849s

Retirements:

Colin Edwards Yamaha 9 laps
Aleix Espargaro Ducati 6 laps
Loris Capirossi Suzuki 4 laps
Casey Stoner Ducati 0 laps

MotoGP Standings – After 14 of 18 rounds

Pos. Rider Team Points
1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 313
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda 228
3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 181
4. Casey Stoner Ducati 180
5. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 179