By Amit Kumar DasKuala Lumpur, Oct 29 (PTI) Italy's Andrea Dovizioso todayclinched the rain-hit Malaysian Grand Prix with a flawlessdisplay at the Sepang International Circuit here to keep hisChampionship title hopes alive.
Starting from the third position, Dovizioso of DucatiTeam clocked 44:51:497 to win his sixth title this season. Hehad earlier won at Italy, Catalunya, Austria, Great Britainand Japan.
After this victory, the 31-year-old Italian is now 21points away from title favourite Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda),who finished fourth after starting at the seventh position.
"We did everything perfect. It wasn't easy. I am so happyto show everybody that we can be competitive, with all thework in this track. It was a perfect weekend for us," saidDovizioso, who had won the Malaysian GP last year also.
"Our bike worked very well. I thought there was a lot ofrubber on the ground after Moto 2 and 3. I was not comfortableafter the practice. I took time to understand my positive andnegative. I had to concentrate to stay with Lorenzo. I didn'texpect it to be so competitive this weekend."Spaniard Marquez, who had a lead of 33 points ahead ofthe race, will have to fight it out with Dovizioso at thefinal race at Valencia on November 12th to clinch theChampionship.
Among others, Dovizioso's teammate Jorge Lorenzo finishedsecond, France's Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) endedthe race at the third spot, while Marquez's teammate DaniPedrosa, who had topped the qualifying round, finished fifth.
Talking about the next race in Valencia, Dovizioso said:"He has a good track record there. We can be competitive butto overcome 21 points, well something has to happen. He had agreat year and even in this difficult conditions he managed tofinish 4th.
"Marquee is very strong. We knew it will be difficult. Wetried to do the maximum. I couldn't watch at the screen as Ihad to concentrate. I think Marc will be competitive from thestart and we have to be fast and win the race in Valencia."Rain lashed the Sepang International Circuit ahead of theMoto GP as the riders lined up for the race in wet conditions.
Marquez moved to the third position early in the race buthe was toppled by Dovizioso with 16 laps to go.
Zarco, who was leading early on, slipped to the second inthe 14th lap before Dovizioso surpassed him in the 12th lap.
With five laps to go, Dovizioso then overtook Lorenzo andheld to his pole position till the end.
In Moto 2, Franco Morbidelli, who had eight wins, fivepoles and 10 podiums this season, became the first Italianrider to clinch the 2017 World Championship title aftersecuring his crown at Sepang International Circuit.
In Moto3, Joan Mir (Leopard Racing), meanwhile, securedhis Championship title with another impressive performance ashe surpassed early leader Jorge Martin (Del Conca GresiniMoto3). PTI ATK CMCM.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.