RACE REPORT – MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX - SEPANG
ROSSI CONTINUES COMEBACK WITH MAGNIFICENT MALAYSIAN
VICTORY
 Camel
Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi moved another step closer
to the summit of the MotoGP World Championship today thanks
to a breathtaking victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix. After
starting from pole position the Italian was part of an entertaining
battle for positions over the first half of the race before
breaking clear alongside compatriot Loris Capirossi (Ducati).
Just as they have done on so many occasions in the past, the
pair became embroiled in a cat and mouse chase that had the
43,182 spectators on their feet until the very last lap.
With half a lap of the Sepang circuit remaining Rossi dived
past Capirossi for the final time, opening out a crucial advantage
within the next two corners and denying his rival the opportunity
to make a last-gasp pass in the final hairpin. Dani Pedrosa
(Honda) clinched the final podium position in third place
despite riding with an injured knee. Rossi’s victory
moves him up to third in the championship, four points behind
the Spaniard and 26 adrift of series leader Nicky Hayden (Honda),
who finished fourth.
Colin Edwards managed a top ten finish despite struggling
all weekend to find the appropriate set-up for his YZR-M1
machine at this track. The Texan was up against it as he started
out from eleventh on the grid after yesterday’s decision
to base the qualifying positions on aggregate free practice
times and he struggled to make an impression after losing
touch with the leading pack. The series now moves on to Australia
for the second of three races in as many weekends before returning
to Europe for a tantalizing double header in Portugal and
Spain.
VALENTINO ROSSI (1st; 43’07.829)
 “That
was another legendary battle between myself and Loris –
very hard but also very fair. At Brno he escaped but today
I was able to hang on to him. When both our bikes are working
well it is always spectacular because his performs better
in some sections and mine in others so it makes for a beautiful
fight. I enjoy racing with him so much because there is a
lot of respect between us and a great trust – he is
probably the hardest rival I have ever had but also one of
my best friends in the paddock. At one point I thought I’d
got away but then he appeared again and I knew it was going
to be a battle to the end. He tried to break free but I stayed
with him and I think we passed each other about ten times
in the last few laps, it was amazing. I want to say a huge
‘thank you’ to everybody at Yamaha because they
virtually cancelled their summer holidays to get this bike
working at the maximum again and I was able to push at 100%
today. For the two Honda riders to finish third and fourth
is not ideal but all I can do is keep winning races so that
is what I will try to do.”
COLIN EDWARDS (10th; +19.909)
“We’ve had the same problems since Mugello –
I don’t have enough rear grip and I can’t push
the bike as hard as I need to. This weekend we turned it upside
down but still couldn’t find that little bit of grip
we need. We’ve been following Valentino a little with
the setting and today I had virtually the same as him. I don’t
know how he does it, but somehow he does and today I couldn’t.
It’s always tough starting from so far down the grid
and I tried to make up the ground but from mid-race I was
basically riding on my own, trying to cut down the gap to
Melandri but without much success. Luckily we have another
race in seven days at a place I love so hopefully we can move
onwards and upwards in Australia.”
DAVIDE BRIVIO – CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR
“What an incredible day! Another great race from Valentino
and from our part all I can say is that we really enjoyed
the show but we’re enjoying the 25 points even more!
Valentino never gives up and his performance today was typical
of him, I think that says it all. All our staff, from Japan
to Italy and here in the paddock, have been working incredibly
hard and this is their reward. Colin had a difficult weekend
– he improved this morning but it wasn’t enough.
We’re pleased that we have another race in seven days’
time at a circuit both our riders like so all we can do is
keep our heads down, stay focused and do our best to hold
on to this championship in the four rounds that remain.”
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