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Rossi captures seventh MotoGP title

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-26 09:02

SEPANG, Malaysia: Defending world champion Valentino Rossi claimed his seventh MotoGP title in a thrilling race in wet conditions yesterday at the Malaysian MotoGP.

Australian Casey Stoner won the race but the 30-year-old Italian secured the title by coming in third on his Yamaha. Spain's Dani Pedrosa was second.

Rossi said he was delighted to seal the championship title with one race to go, in Valencia on Nov 8.

"With one round to go, I have clinched the world title. I thank all the people who helped me achieve this. We fought hard," he said.

Heavy rain delayed the start of the race by 35 minutes and played a major part when the action got underway.

Rossi started on pole but failed to hold his lead and went wide into the first corner with a pack of riders, led by Pedrosa and Stoner, who had overtaken him with ease.

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Stoner, fresh from victory at Phillip Island, passed Pedrosa and never looked back, romping home with something to spare.

The 2007 champion here in Sepang, Stoner won in 47min 24.834sec, while Pedrosa was adrift at 14.666sec and Rossi narrowly behind him. Rossi's Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo was fourth.

"I got a good start," said Stoner, who began in the second row on the grid.

"I did not expect to pull such a gap. I am happy with the pace. I am looking forward to the race in Valencia."

Pedrosa admitted it was tricky to keep second position with Rossi snapping at his heels.

"It was a tough race until the end because Rossi was pushing me hard," he said.

Earlier, Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama, riding a Honda, led from the start to win the 250cc race.

Birthday boy Aoyama, who now leads the 250cc championship standings with 252 points, clocked 42 mins, 55.689 seconds in the 20-lap race after starting from pole position.

Spain's Julian Simon won the 125cc on an Aprilia.

AFP