Rossi wins as Lorenzo takes title

Added on Sunday, October 10th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

It was a day for the FIAT Yamaha team at Sepang today, as the race victory went to way of Valentino Rossi whilst teammate Jorge Lorenzo was crowned champion.

After starting on pole position for today’s race, Lorenzo was keen to secure the title in Malaysia, however he was forced to work for it. After dropping back slightly at the start, the lead fell into the hands of Andrea Dovizioso, who enjoyed another strong outing following his first MotoGP pole position just one week ago.

As the opening laps developed, Dovizioso soon began to extend his advantage at the front of the field. Before too long he was joined at the top by Valentino Rossi, with the Italian eager to claim his first victory since breaking his leg.

Rossi was soon on his tail, and after trailing the Repsol Honda rider for a number of laps, slid passed into the lead, to the delight of the crowd. Despite immense pressure from a determined Dovizioso, Rossi held onto the lead, to pass the chequered flag just 0.224 seconds ahead. Lorenzo held onto third, realising that a third place finish would secure him the 2010 championship title, as he realised one of his dreams.

Behind the top three, the fight was just as thrilling, with Ben Spies proving to be best of the rest in fourth. strong showing from Alvaro Bautista enabled the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP rider to finish just two seconds behind Spies, whilst Nicky Hayden battled through to sixth place.

Hiroshi Aoyama headed the next group of riders, stealing seventh place just ahead of Marco Simoncelli. Simoncelli’s San Carlo Honda Gresini teammate, Marco Melandri was just inches behind, with a ninth place finish at the chequered flag. Randy De Puniet completed the top ten, whilst the remaining finishing positions went the way of Hector Barbera, Mika Kallio and Colin Edwards. Aleix Espargaro and Loris Capirossi were the only retirements, with Casey Stoner unable to take the start of the race.

Commenting on his comeback victory, Rossi told MotoGP.com: “This is a wonderful moment for me, I am so happy to win like this and take my 46th win with Yamaha on ‘my’ M1.”

With the championship title now awrapped up, Lorenzo will be looking forward to enjoying the next few races, knowing he is champion. The next MotoGP race is at Phillip Island, Australia, on the 17th October (next weekend).

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