The MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix and last race of the Asian leg of the championship is upon us. The action started today at the Sepang International Circuit and will continue until race day on Sunday the 4th of November.

This will be the eighteenth and last-but-one race of the year and one where we are sure to watch Marc Marquez attempting to break Andrea Dovizioso’s reign of the circuit. The Ducati pilot has won the Malaysian GP in the last two consecutive years. There is little doubt that the Asian track is Dovi’s and Desmosedici’s territory. 

The Spanish pilot, on the other hand, has only won the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix on one occasion back in 2014. The Sepang track, one of the longest in the championship, has always proved challenging for the Spaniard. 

Marquez in pursuit of a 2nd Sepang victory 

The Honda #93 arrives in Malaysia in a fighting spirit despite having already sealed his fifth World Championship Title two weeks ago at Motegi. The Spaniard is in fact very eager to have a taste of glory again – it would be his ninth victory of the season – after having to retire from the Australian GP when an impetuous Johan Zarco crashed into the back of him.

But above all Marquez, his keen to seal the Triple Crown as soon as possible, after both him and his teammate Pedrosa ended out of points in Australia. 

Despite the little Honda debacle at Phillip Island, the team leads both the team and constructor standings by 16 and 39 points respectively. They are therefore in with a very real chance of clinching both titles at the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix.

The Honda pilot reminded everybody of his intentions at Thursday’s press conference before the start of the training sessions: “We still have another two GPs ahead of us and we would like to win them if we get the chance”. The executives of the Golden Wings brand have made it clear from the moment they were crowned at the Japanese GP. 

Dovi and the Yamaha ‘sharks’

With the number of outstanding candidates to the Sepang podium, it will certainly be no easy task for Marquez to be the one who uncorks the champagne. His main rival, Dovizioso, is very comfortable in the Asian track which suits his bike and driving skills like a glove and always puts up a great show at the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix. 

The Italian contender is second in the standings and 25 points ahead of his compatriot Valentino Rossi with whom he will be fighting for the silver medal. Rossi is, by the way, the pilot that has won the most times at the Sepang Circuit, five times in MotoGP (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010), one in 500 cc (2001) and another one in 125 cc (1997).

On top of those impressive stats, Yamaha seems to have been making great progress on their bikes and so it is very likely that the #46 will put up a good fight at the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix.  

Maverick Viñales finds himself in a somehow similar situation. The driver form Figueras had the honour of putting an end to the winning draught of the Iwata brand which had gone 25 MotoGP races without a win. Viñales is thrilled after lifting that weight off his shoulders at Phillip Island. Now he is just hanging on to see what comes of some rightly demanded improvements for his bike. 

Rins, Bautista and a convalescing Lorenzo

Alex Rins has also improved his performance considerably in the last few races despite his bike going up in flames last Thursday after suffering a fuel leak. The driver from Barcelona was third in Japan and fifth in Australia. He will certainly be part of the leading pack and with his strong will and current rhythm, he might even get a podium position at MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix.

His box-neighbour Andrea Iannone, currently at war with the world, also has what it takes and will not go down without a fight. Meanwhile, Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) who is still convalescing from last week’s surgery on his left wrist, is going to have a go at the free training sessions in Sepang. He will then have to decide if he takes part in the race or not although it is unlikely considering the ongoing mobility issues of his left hand. Just being in Sepang at all is a sign of his commitment and determination. 

Meanwhile, Alvaro Bautista, who replaced Lorenzo in Australia and finished in an exceptional fourth position, goes back to his bike at MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix.

Good luck to them all. Finally, we would like to wish the Briton Cal Crutchlow a speedy recovery after undergoing surgery for the second time in his leg a few days ago.  He will soon be able to go home to the Isle of Man, where he will resume his recovery.