Malaysian MotoGP race day
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With that, our live coverage for the Malaysian Grand Prix comes to an end. One more race to go in two weeks' time in Valencia before this epic season comes to a close. Be sure not to miss it!
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Marquez: "I was pushing on the limit, start from the back, the start was not perfect but then I start to take all the riders step by step, but then I overheat the rear tyre and a few laps I just cool down the tyre because also the front tyre was overheating, the feeling was not so good. Then in the end I start to feel better and better, I start to see that I was catching Vale and then this for the motivation is even more and more. When I saw his mistake unfortunately because the last laps would have been nice, but when I saw his mistake everything cool down, just finish the race. We won, the best way to celebrate the championship because was a shame in Phillip Island. Today I want to congratulate Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia because they deserve the championship and we will celebrate in Valencia together."
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Rins: "I see Zarco in front of me and I say he cannot beat me. I push until the end, was a shame the start because we lose a lot of positions and a lot of time but anyway always is a pleasure to make the race here with all the Malaysian fans so thank you everybody."
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Zarco: "I was struggling a lot but not only in the final laps. I had a great start, good push and good first braking. Then tried to attack Valentino but he was comfortable so he kept the lead. I was fast but not enough to overtake him but finally it was good not to overtake him because we went away and the strong beginning of the race saved me the podium. I did strong half race and then I did a mistake when Marc overtook me in the beginning of the race and I could not keep this pace but I was also fast enough to keep the gap with fourth. Was difficult, then I saw the crash of Vale, my rear grip was getting difficult to control, so I tried to finish the race I was able keep some energy but it was only three tenths and when Rins came back I tried to fight but didn't have possibility so good job to him and Marc and happy to be on the podium."
The crowd celebrates Syahrin, who takes a superb 10th place on home soil.
Information
Malaysian GP results: 1 Marquez; 2 Rins; 3 Zarco; 4 Vinales; 5 Pedrosa; 6 Dovizioso; 7 Bautista; 8 Miller; 9 Petrucci; 10 Syahrin; 11 A. Espargaro; 12 Morbidelli; 13 Bradl; 14 Nakagami; 15 Smith; 16 Luthi; 17 Simeon; 18 Rossi; 19 Redding.
Rossi ends the race 18th. A shame his great run ended in a crash, but that, Zarco's first podium since May, and the recovery from Vinales means one thing: Yamaha is back.
Rins claims Suzuki's eighth podium of the season and Zarco salvages third. Vinales' charge ran out of steam and has to settle for fourth.
Checkered flag
Marquez crosses the line to take his ninth victory of 2018!
Rins overtakes Zarco for second at Turn 3 of the final lap.
Two laps to go, Zarco is coming under serious pressure by Rins.
This leaves Marquez with a 4.3s lead over Zarco, who is not far ahead of Rins and Vinales.
The Italian fell at Turn 1. He continues in 18th position.
Crash
Rossi crashes out of the lead!
Four laps remaining, the gap between Rossi and Marquez is 0.648s as they cross the line.
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Top 10 (5 laps to go): 1 Rossi; 2 Marquez; 3 Zarco; 4 Rins; 5 Vinales; 6 Pedrosa; 7 Dovizioso; 8 Miller; 9 Bautista; 10 Petrucci.
Rossi is able to match Marquez's pace next time around. They are much faster than everyone else but Vinales, who is up to fifth and looks quick enough to take the final podium position.
Lap 14 of 20 is when Marquez begins his charge as he eats into Rossi's lead by three tenths. Zarco struggling to keep up.
Rins overtakes Pedrosa, he has nine laps to catch up with the top three.
Zarco also fell a second behind Marquez, while Pedrosa is further 2.7s adrift, defending from Rins. Vinales up to sixth, the top Ducati of Dovizioso is now only seventh.
Rossi's lead over Marquez is up to a whole second.
As we're entering the second half of the race, Vinales is starting to showcase race-winning pace. He is seven seconds behind the leader, however.
Vinales steals seventh from Miller, whose gamble on the medium rear tyre isn't working out.
t.co/w2OTERi3Vk"/>The hunt is on 💪 @marcmarquez93 barges his way through on @JohannZarco1 and into second place! #MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 t.co/w2OTERi3Vk
Rossi has managed to keep the gap ahead of Marquez over half a second and Zarco has been able to keep up as well, but there is still a long way until finish.
Information
Top 10 (13 laps to go): 1 Rossi; 2 Marquez; 3 Zarco; 4 Pedrosa; 5 Rins; 6 Dovizioso; 7 Miller; 8 Vinales; 9 Petrucci; 10 Bautista.
Rins also found a way past Dovizioso and Miller. Surprisingly bad race for the Ducatis so far.
Crash
Ducati tester Pirro crashes out at the final corner.
Pedrosa meanwhile found a way past both Miller and Dovizioso, allowing the top three to clearly break away.
A small mistake from Zarco at Turn 13 opens the door for Marquez. Anyone fancy a Rossi-Marquez duel at Sepang?
Dovizioso passes Miller for fourth, Pedrosa also looking to find a way past the Australian.
Crash
Abraham retires his Angel Nieto Ducati. A mechanical issue for the Czech rider.
Stopwatch
Fastest lap from Zarco, a 2m00.780s, but he can't shake Marquez off.
Vinales now takes ninth from Bautista, but he is nearly six seconds behind Rossi already. Not the same close racing like at Phillip Island.
Vinales hasn't gained ground since the start, he's running 10th ahead of home hero Syahrin, who is up to 11th from last!
Marquez moves ahead of Miller with another last-lap overtake. Only Rossi and Zarco ahead of the world champion.
Marquez's next target is Miller in third as the top four has built a small gap already.
Crash
Marquez already started to carve his way through the field, making moves on Pedrosa, Dovizioso and then Iannone. His move on the latter nearly ended in a crash at the final turn. He stays on his bike but Iannone doesn't, the Suzuki man is out!
Good start from Rossi who takes the lead into Turn 1, Zarco holds on to second from Miller.
Green flag
The Malaysian Grand Prix is a go!
By: Matt Beer
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