The MotoGP circus visits Sepang in Malaysia this weekend, where Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) only needs a fourth place finish to be crowned 2009 World Champion. The Italian’s Championship lead now stands at 38 points, thanks in large part to title rival and team-mate Jorge Lorenzo’s first-lap crash at Phillip Island last week. The Spaniard’s only remaining hope is for him to win the race and for Rossi to finish no better than fifth.

If Rossi ends up fourth or better in the race, it will be his ninth world title in GP125, 250, 500 and MotoGP. Lorenzo, the only rider who can still take the title away from Vale, had a terrible time last year at Sepang, pulling out of the race after a crash. Happily for Rossi, he has a rich history of good form at Sepang, where he won from second on the grid last year, and mounted on the podium seven times in the premier class there, including five wins.

The back-on-form Casey Stoner (Ducati) overtook Dani Pedrosa (Honda) in the standings by six points with his third victory in as many years at Phillip Island last week. In 2008, the Australian finished sixth at Sepang, and won there in his title-winning 2007 season. Dani Pedrosa will be no slouch there either, with podium finishes every time out at this track – he placed second last year – as well as having finished third in his last three races this season.

Moto123.com will follow all the action with reports on practice and qualifying sessions, and the race.




Photo Credit : MotoGP