By Luc Fradette

Even tough the MotoGP championship is already decided, the next MotoGP round to be held in Malaysia on the Sepang circuit could be decisive in deciding the final standings for the year for the series runner-up and rookie of the year.

Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) has already wrapped up his sixth MotoGP World Championship but he still wants to pick up some additional wins for his 2008 totally.

Last year Malaysian race winner Casey Stoner (Ducati) could secure second place in the championship. The Australian is 36 points ahead of nearest rival Dani Pedrosa, the only rider with a chance of halting the Ducati rider´s attempts at the runner-up spot.

Meanwhile, Rossi's teammate Jorge Lorenzo is looking to clinch the 2008 Rookie of the Year crown at the Sepang Circuit at which he took the 250cc World Championship last season, with longtime rival Andrea Dovizioso just one place below him in the standings.

Nicky Hayden (Honda) is one of the form riders of the moment. The American has never placed in the top three at Malaysia, however, despite placing fourth at his first quartet of races in Sepang.

The Sepang International Circuit is a 4,448km long track constructed back in 1999 and one of the longest laps in MotoGP. The Polini Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix takes place on Sunday October 19th, with practice sessions kicking off on the preceding Friday.