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19th
Oct 2008, Sepang – Valentino Rossi took
victory number nine of his 2008 season in the
Polini Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, escaping
from the clutches of Dani Pedrosa in the final
third of an exciting race at the Sepang circuit.
The 2008 MotoGP World Champion had started from
second on the grid, but held onto the tail of
Pedrasa"s Repsol Honda as his rival attempted to
make an early breakaway. After taking the lead
from the Spaniard on lap ten Rossi set about
creating an advantage of his own, and as the
race entered the final third the biggest problem
for the Italian was the threat of rain.
With the option open to come in and change
bikes, the Fiat Yamaha man - and all the other
riders so used to the changeable nature of the
Sepang weather- elected to slick out the light
rainfall, a decision vindicated when the rain
passed and the high temperatures quickly dried
up any residual wetness.
With his latest podium finish Rossi extends his
run of rostrum placing to eight consecutive
Grand Prix, with a chance of win number ten in
Valencia at next weekend's season finale.
Pedrosa placed inside the top three in Sepang
for the third time in as many premier class
visits to the Malaysian track, although it was
not enough to keep the battle for the runner-up
spot in the 2008 World Championship standings
alive. Nonetheless, the Spaniard recorded his
best race result on Bridgestone tyres, after
taking his first pole for the Japanese
manufacturer on Saturday afternoon.
With just one race left in his maiden MotoGP
season, Andrea Oovizioso finally achieved a
first premier class podium after a
tooth-and-nail battle with Nicky Hayden. The JiR
Team Scot rider also moved further into
contention for the Rookie of the Year honour as
his result combined with a crash from rival
Jorge Lorenzo.
San Carlo Honda Gresini's Shinya Nakano showed
that he was also up for a battle, eventually
keeping the fifth spot despite the best attempts
of 2007 Sepang race winner Casey Stoner. Sixth
place was enough for Stoner to confirm second in
the season's overall classification. Loris
Capirossi, Colin Edwards, Chris Vermeulen and
Randy de Puniet rounded off the first ten past
the chequered nag in the 21-lap race.
For the latest
news on MotoGP, visit
www.malaysiangp.com.my for more
information.
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