Valentino Rossi took victory number nine of his 2008 season in the Polini Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, escaping from the clutches of Dani Pedrosa in the final third of an exciting race at the Sepang circuit.
Rossi, who sealed the championship in Japan three weeks ago, passed Pedrosa in lap 10 and then raced to the chequered flag at his favourite Sepang circuit with ease in steaming hot track conditions.
The Spaniard started in pole position while Rossi, from Italy, was second on the grid
The 29-year-old Rossi finished the 116.4-kilometre journey over 21 laps in 43 minutes 06.007 seconds, pulling a wheelie as he crossed the finish line for his ninth win of the season.
Pedrosa claimed second for Repsol Honda while Andrea Dovizioso (JiR Team Scot) took his first ever podium with third.
Nicky Hayden finished fourth and Shinya Nakano took fifth while Casey Stoner’s sixth-placed finish was enough for him to secure second place in the championship standings with one race remaining.
Loris Capirossi, Colin Edwards, Chris Vermeulen and Randy de Puniet completed the top 10.
“It was a very tough and long race. After five to six laps I started to feel the heat. I am very happy I won. We worked very hard for this victory,” he said.
Rossi said his Yamaha M1 was well suited to the long and wide Sepang circuit, enabling him to pass Pedrosa and never look back.
“I had a good start. This bike is suitable for this kind of track. It is an enjoyable track to race,” he said.
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