Marc Marquez is on the brink of becoming world champion in his rookie MotoGP season, but there’s still a slim hope of redemption for his more experienced rivals.
With six wins and a further seven podium positions this year, the 20-year old Spaniard has swept to a dominant 39 point lead in his sensational debut MotoGP season and, with only four races left, it seems the title is more or less in the bag for the Repsol Honda rider. Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo, the reigning world champion, is Marquez’s closest challenger as the series heads to Malaysia’s Sepang circuit this weekend.
NO PENALTY EXPECTED
In Aragon, Spain, two weeks ago Marquez made the headlines for not only his latest win, but for his contact with team-mate Dani Pedrosa, which led to the traction control of the latter failing – resulting in a big highside. The incident will be discussed by Race Direction and the riders today, but it’s not expected to result in a penalty for Marquez.
Pedrosa, who now sits 59 points behind Marquez after his crash, is well aware that his title chances rely on him winning the remaining races, whilst needing some worse results from Lorenzo and Marquez.
BATTLING IT OUT
This is perhaps where Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi could come in, as the Italian is desperate for another win, and showed true glimpses of such pace in Aragon practice and qualifying. He will aim to take the next step at Malaysia to challenge the top three Spaniards.
For the Ducati Team it will once again be a weekend of trying to get the bike closer to the Japanese manufacturers, as Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden battle it out for team mate honours. - Star Motoring