New MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi and Australian rival Casey Stoner are predicting an exciting clash on a Kuala Lumpur track they both enjoy this weekend.
Italian ace Rossi clinched his sixth world premier-class title at last month’s Japanese Grand Prix, edging out defending champion Stoner.
Rossi is the most successful rider at KL’s Sepang circuit with four victories and is favourite to win again on Sunday in the Malaysian GP, the penultimate race of the season.
“These two races are so important, not for the championship, but anyway we have a good potential and I want to make two good results,” said the Italia, who secured his eighth world title two races ago in Japan.
“I did some crucial tests [here at Sepang] on my new Bridgestone tyres in the winter, but the settings I use have changed a lot since then so it will still be a tough weekend.”
“The weather could play a big part here and even though this is a difficult track it is always a pleasure to ride.”
Stoner, who will undergo an operation on an old scaphoid injury when the season finishes, has won in Sepang in all three world championship classes on previous visits and is confident of another podium place.
“I like the track and I’ve got good memories because I’ve won there in every category,” said the Australian.
“The track is a good mix, there are some fast corners with a lot of lean angles and some tight ones that aren’t much fun.”
With his 36 point advantage over Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, Stoner could finalise his runner-up place in the standings on Sunday.
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