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Monday October 20, 2008

Italian star gets the better of Pedrosa for ninth win in Sepang

Reports By LIM TEIK HUAT and S. RAMAGURU

ITALIAN hotshot Valentino Rossi romped to his ninth win of the season in stylish fashion by pulling away from the clutches of pole-sitter Dani Pedrosa halfway into the MotoGP race of the Polini Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit yesterday.

The Yamaha-powered Rossi, who secured his sixth world title in the premier class at the Japanese GP two races back, started from second on the grid but held onto the tail of Pedrosa’s Honda as his rival attempted to make an early breakaway.

It was on lap 10 when Rossi successfully overtook the Spaniard and went on to establish his own advantage.

In style: Rossi doing a wheelie in the final lap to celebrate after he won the Malaysian MOTOGP at Sepang F1 circuit yesterday. — The Star/ S.S.KANESAN

Rossi managed to carve out a lead of over four seconds over Pedrosa as he performed a wheelie all the way to the finish line in 43:06.007.

Pedrosa was second in 43:10.015 and it was his third podium finish in Sepang in as many years. Andrea Dovizioso of Italy earned his first MotoGP podium finish in third place, finishing in 43:14.543 after a tooth-and-nail battle with Nicky Hayden of Australia.

But it was his better known Italian compatriot, who hogged the biggest limelight with his fifth premier class win in Sepang.

Yesterday’s feat also placed Rossi in the record books alongside Australian Mick Doohan as the most successful rider in the history of the Malaysian GP.

The main race was brought forward by an hour to avoid a clashing with the F1 Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai and the hot weather conditions certainly pushed the riders to the limits.

Rossi was delighted to have earned his ninth win of the season despite the steamy conditions.

“The conditions were unbelievable because the temperatures were incredible out there. I felt like it was a very long race but I was prepared to fight hard,” he said.

“We worked hard to get the M1 strong during testing (Early in the year) here and we knew that the bike was suitable for the type of corners that we have here. We started off with a great setting and this track was suitable for my riding style.

“I had a great battle early in the race with Dani but I had 10 laps alone which, although the track is fun, were hard work.”

Rossi has now extended his run of rostrum placings to eight consecutive races.

Despite finishing second it was not enough for Pedrosa to keep the battle for the runner-up spot alive.

That honour went to last year’s race winner Casey Stoner of Australia. Stoner, the world champion last year, finished sixth for Ducati and it was enough to confirm a runner-up finish.

“When I was in front, I felt that Valentino (Rossi) was comfortable behind me all the time. I knew that he would push when in front but I was unable to improve my pace,” said Pedrosa.

“He always gives more in the race than in practice and we need to learn this and push harder. The weekend had started hard but we kept improving and finally were able to get second. Second place is very good and we are happy with this.”

It was also a race to remember for 22-year-old Dovizioso, whose podium finish was a parting gift for JiR Scott Honda satellite team. Dovizioso will be joining Pedrosa next year in the factory Repsol Honda outfit.

Pedrosa’s current team-mate, Hayden, is moving to Ducati to ride alongside Stoner.

“I am really happy about my first podium. It was very difficult this year, we had many problems. It was so important for my team because next year I will go to another team,” said Dovizioso.

“It was a difficult race because of the temperature and I never saw Nicky’s line, so I did not know where he would try to overtake me.”

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