MotoGP: Preview � Malaysian Grand Prix.

[Rory Phoulorie]

Wednesday, 17th October 2007

Casey Stoner and his Marlboro Ducati team roll into Sepang for the penultimate round of the MotoGP championship. The team are on a high following yet another race win, this time at Stoner's home venue of Phillip Island.

Coming straight off the back of a win and going to a circuit where he has had success in the past, leaves Stoner in a strong position. He has taken two race wins at the3.447 miles Sepang circuit in both the 125 and 250cc classes.

Ducatipicked up both the Constructers and Team World Championships in Australia and have a good track record at the circuit. Loris Capirossi won there last year and finished second after a tremendous battle with Valentino Rossithe previous year.

Rossi on the Fiat Yamaha currently holds a 29-point lead over Dani Pedrosa as the warring pair continue their battle for second place in the Championship. Italian star Rossi also has a good record at Sepang picking up four wins in the Premier class. However after a lackluster 2007 his thoughts are already on 2008.

The closest battle in the Championship is between Rizla Suzuki team-mates John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen. They are separated by just five points in their battle for fourth place. Both know the Sepang circuit well due to their winter testing of their new 800cc machines, they put in many laps there during development.

While the riders in Rizla blue battle for fourth it is the Italians Marco Melandri and Capirossi who are also locked in a battle for sixth place. They are separated by just four points and interest is heightened by the fact that Melandri will be the man to replace Capirossi at Ducati next year.

Twenty year-old Jorge Lorenzo looks certain to retain his 250cc title at the penultimate round of the Championship. He holds a 45-point advantage over the Hondaof Andre Dovizioso following his ninth win of the season in Australia.

The 125cc Championship will surely not be decided on Sunday. Just one point separates Bancaja Aspar Aprilia team-mates Gabor Talmacsi and Hector Faubel. The Championship thus looks set to be settled at Valencia in two weeks time but the penultimate round on Sunday will have a massive bearing on the outcome.

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