MotoGP Malaysian GP: Live commentary and updates from Sepang

Sepang's main grandstand looks full as they all rise for the national anthem. It's a traditional interpretation sung by a female soloist. All passes off smoothly.

While rain threatened during the sprint, it is most likely going to stay away from today's 20-lapper. But this is Sepang and nobody can be 100% certain of that. Get those wet bikes ready - especially if you're Jack Miller's crew! 

https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/jack-miller-explains-pitlane-outburst-we-looked-like-wers/10870022/

Circuit specialist Alex M will get another shot at glory today, when he could repeat his 2025 win here. He will start from pole position: here's how the full grid lines up. 

Grid

All Stats

 

Cla	Rider	#		Bike	Time	km/h
1	A. Marquez Gresini Racing	73		Ducati	1'56.493	171.296
2	M. Marquez Ducati Team	93		Ducati	+0.070 1'56.563	171.193
3	P. Acosta Red Bull KTM Factory Racing	37		KTM	+0.084 1'56.577	171.172
4	A. Ogura Trackhouse Racing Team	79		Aprilia	+0.124 1'56.617	171.113
5	M. Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing Team	72		Aprilia	+0.175 1'56.668	171.039
6	F. Di Giannantonio Team VR46	49		Ducati	+0.349 1'56.842	170.784
7	E. Bastianini Tech 3	23		KTM	+0.477 1'56.970	170.597
8	J. Zarco Team LCR	5		Honda	+0.523 1'57.016	170.530
9	F. Morbidelli Team VR46	21		Ducati	+0.775 1'57.268	170.164
10	F. Bagnaia Ducati Team	63		Ducati	+0.794 1'57.287	170.136
11	J. Mir Honda HRC	36		Honda	+0.850 1'57.343	170.055
12	M. Viñales Tech 3	12		KTM	+1.244 1'57.737	169.486
13	L. Marini Honda HRC	10		Honda	+1.130 1'57.623	169.650
14	D. Moreira Team LCR	11		Honda	+1.240 1'57.733	169.491
15	B. Binder Red Bull KTM Factory Racing	33		KTM	+1.634 1'58.127	168.926
16	J. Miller Pramac Racing	43		Yamaha	+1.655 1'58.148	168.896
17	A. Rins Yamaha Factory Racing	42		Yamaha	+1.662 1'58.155	168.886
18	F. Quartararo Yamaha Factory Racing	20		Yamaha	+1.726 1'58.219	168.795
19	I. Lecuona Gresini Racing	27		Ducati	+1.963 1'58.456	168.457
20	A. Fernandez Pramac Racing	47		Yamaha	+2.362 1'58.855	167.891
View full results

If you missed yesterday's sprint, that was a mistake! Like Phillip Island a week earlier, it was a corker. Alex Marquez seemed to be leading comfortably, but made an unforced error to allow Pedro Acosta the win. 

Marco Bezzecchi might be considered a title contender as well, but the man in third is 52 points behind Marquez going into this race. He needs a lot of optimism and some help from a Marquez mistake or problem. 

Right, Quartararo's exhibitionism aside, let's catch up on what's been going on this weekend. Most significant is Jorge Martin's withdrawal from the event due to his broken wrist, which opens the door for Marc Marquez to almost put the world championship to bed. He goes into the race with a 19-point lead over the absent Martin.

Fabio Quartararo is wandering around on the grid with his leathers wound down to his waist. Some things don't change - but let's see him do that at a breezy Portimao later this month.

Good day and welcome to our live text coverage of the Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix! I'm Richard Asher and looking forward to it!