Review the Grand Prix of Japan
Review the Grand Prix of Japan
Lorenzo set to realise lifelong dream at Sepang
Wednesday, 06 October 2010
The Fiat Yamaha rider could clinch his first premier class title at this weekend’s Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, the 20th GP event to be held in Malaysia.
The 2010 MotoGP title could be decided this weekend with Jorge Lorenzo primed to take his third World Championship crown â€" his first in the premier class. The Fiat Yamaha rider goes into Round 15 at Sepang with a 69-point advantage over Dani Pedrosa - the only man who can stop him from being proclaimed Champion - but the Repsol Honda rider’s participation is in serious doubt after he fractured a collarbone in a crash in Japan.
This will be the 20th GP event to be held in Malaysia with Sepang the venue since 1999. It was there that Lorenzo sealed his 2007 250cc title, and a fantastic display in last year’s race saw him rocket up the order to finish fourth having started from the back of the grid due to technical problems. Having taken 12 podiums from the 14 rounds so far (including seven victories) Lorenzo’s form this season has taken him to the brink of accomplishing a lifelong ambition, and a range of results this weekend would proclaim him 2010 MotoGP World Champion with three rounds to spare.
Pedrosa was only released from hospital in Barcelona on Monday following a successful operation to insert a titanium plate into his left collarbone, and confirmation on whether he will ride is yet to be given. Updates will be posted on motogp.com as soon as news on the 24 year-old’s plans are released by his team.
For Casey Stoner the season has taken a massive step forward in the last two rounds with the Australian taking his first two victories of the campaign at Aragón and Motegi. The Ducati rider has a solid record at Sepang too having won last year and in his title-winning season of 2007, and he still has a chance of finishing the season in second position overall.
Andrea Dovizioso made a return to the podium in Japan and the Repsol Honda rider, who started from pole at Motegi for the first time in MotoGP, took his first premier-class podium at Sepang in 2008. Just three points behind him in the Championship is the most successful rider at the Sepang circuit â€" Valentino Rossi. The reigning World Champion secured last year’s title there with a podium finish and has won five times at Sepang.
Lying in sixth position is Ben Spies (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) whose only previous experience of the track is the pre-season tests, but the rookie’s ability to learn new venues well over a weekend has been repeatedly proven this season. Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) has finished fourth at Sepang on five occasions and is looking for a second podium finish of the campaign.
Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda), Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) are separated by just nine points from eighth to tenth positions in the Championship as they all prepare to mount strong finishes to their respective campaigns.
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