Clash of the Titans

While Dani Pedrosa is the man of the hour as he won ahead of Lorenzo and Rossi, Rossi will be forced to start from the back of the grid in Valencia after a clash with Marquez. At the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix we saw some sensational riding that will be remembered for a long time. The battle ensued as Rossi once again passed Marquez for the third spot at turn 10 on lap seven. Marquez immediately fought back through turns 11 & 12 with Rossi then responding through turn 13 before appearing to run Marquez wide on the exit of turn 14 and making contact with the Spaniard. Marquez crashed out as a result and was forced to retire in an incident that left the reigning MotoGP™ champion fuming. The event leading to Marquez crashing will be reviewed by Race Direction. The incident could have huge implications on deciding where the 2015 title ends up with Rossi forced to start from the back of the grid at Valencia. It will go down in history as one of the most sensational pieces of drama in the history of MotoGP and will forever be remembered as the Sepang Clash.



While all of this was going on Lorenzo in second had managed to open up a 5.6s gap to Rossi. At the front Pedrosa had managed his tyres and pace perfectly, extending his advantage on almost every lap. He went on to take his second win of the season by over three and half seconds from Lorenzo, who made it four podiums in a row and 11 for the season by finishing in second. Rossi crossed the line in 3rd a further 10 seconds behind Lorenzo, but will have an incredible fight on his hands to lift his tenth title at Valencia after the penalty. Rossi also decided not to attend the post-race Press Conference.



Marquez had this to say, “Yeah of course you know for me it is easy to explain what happened because on the TV you can see clear. You can see in the video from many points, the helicopter, from in front. I was inside and of course we were overtaking for some laps but I felt I was able to be faster and to catch the front guys. But yeah, on that corner, corner 14, Valentino passed me. I heard the bike then I pick it up, but then I saw that he was completely straight and looking at me and stopping a lot. I was just waiting because there was nothing to do in that point and then I saw that with his leg he pushed my arm and my front brake and then I lock the front wheel and I crash”.



Pol Espargaro crossed the line in ninth despite having to race with severe pain in his neck after a crash in the warm up session caused by Hector Barbera. The Spaniard had to be assessed moments before lining up on the grid, but was passed fit. Stefan Bradl completed in the top ten, his best result since he made his debut for the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini at Indianapolis. Avintia Racing’s Hector Barbera took the Open victory despite being forced to start form the back of the grid. The Spaniard had put in his best qualifying performance of the season to start from eighth, but was issued a penalty point for causing the crash with Pol Espargaro in the warm up session which meant, after accruing 4 this season, he had to start from the back of the grid.