After missing the mark in the previous round at Australia, Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso claimed the win in a wet Malaysian Grand Prix, keeping his contention alive for the 2017 world title. Dovizioso beat teammate Jorge Lorenzo to win the Malaysian GP in a 1-2 podium for Ducati, while Tech 3 Yamaha's Johann Zarco took the last spot on the podium. World title contender Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda couldn't do any better than fourth despite an early lead.
(Marquez still leads the championship of Dovizioso by 21 points)
Starting seventh on the grid while teammate Dani Pedrosa started on pole, Marquez had a great start and led into the first corner. However, he ran wide allowing Zarco to take the lead, followed by Lorenzo. The French rider wasted no time in extending his gap over the pack but Lorenzo chased the Tech 3 rider down, constantly on his tail. Marquez meanwhile was pushed into third while Dovizioso was trying to catch up at fourth. Meanwhile, Pedrosa slipped down to fifth after an impressive qualifying.
undefinedZarco leads in Sepang!
— MotoGP (@MotoGP) October 29, 2017
Marquez has charged through to third with Dovizioso in hot pursuit! #MalaysianGP pic.twitter.com/h6eA1MvEW8
Nevertheless, Dovizioso was better late than never and soon started to move through, passing Marquez on Lap 14. In front, Lorenzo was breathing down Zarco's neck and the latter's lead soon started to fade. Most of the action remained within the top four riders, which by now, were detached from the pack. With both Ducatis tailing the Tech 3 rider, Zarco couldn't hold on any longer and was pushed down to third. However, the Frenchman managed to keep Marquez at bay, who was trailing behind with a gap of 8 seconds.
(Dovizioso passed teammate Lorenzo by 0.743 seconds to take the chequered flag)
The fight was now down to the two Ducatis and it seemed briefly that Lorenzo would be taking the win today. However, the Spaniard made a small mistake on Turn 15 with his foot off the foot peg, and Dovizioso saw this as an opportunity to pass his teammate and take the chequered flag, 0.743 seconds ahead of Lorenzo.
undefinedThat was CLOSE!
— MotoGP (@MotoGP) October 29, 2017
The Championship was almost over there and then for Dovizioso as he clashes with Marquez!#MalaysianGP pic.twitter.com/ub1uhwlvPq
The top five finishers remained unchanged with Marquez and Pedrosa finishing fifth. Coming in sixth was Danilo Petrucci of Pramac Racing, who put up a spectacular show. The rider was pushed last on the grid due to mechanical issues, but managed to make a remarkable comeback finishing behind Pedrosa. Coming in a close seventh was Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha), only four tenths of a second behind Petrucci; while Marc VDS rider Jack Miller took the eighth spot. Finishing ninth was Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha), but it wasn't an easy one as Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory) put up a tough fight finishing 10th.
Finishing within points were Alvaro Bautista of Aspar Ducati at P11 followed by KTM's Bradley Smith, Scott Redding of Octo Pramac Racing and Hector Barbera of Avintia Racing. LCR Honda's Cal Crutchlow took the last point at P15. Michael van der Mark, who made his MotoGP debut this weekend missed out on scoring a point on his Tech 3 Yamaha behind Crutchlow.
As for DNFs, Alex Rins crashed twice and was later black-flagged for shortcutting his way back to the pits, while Aprilia's Sam Lowes, Karel Abraham of Aspar Ducati and Loris Baz of Avintia Ducati crashed out.
undefinedIt ain't over 'til it's over! #NeverSayNever #MalaysianGP pic.twitter.com/1zqafGqSQq
— MotoGP(@MotoGP) October 29, 2017
Things will now move to Valencia, Spain for the final round of 2017 MotoGP championship. While Marquez still leads by 21 points over Dovizioso, MotoGP has proved time and again that predictability is not its cup of tea. Our eyes will be glued to the next round.
