Sepang MotoGP Preview -ozzy go- motorcycle-usa.com

The MotoGP paddock prepares to crank it up again this weekend
at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia after last
weekend's activities in Australia. It will be a tight week. Teams
have less than seven days to transport their equipment from
continent to continent and to prep the bikes for the contest. The
riders will be challenged by a course with four slow corners
following two long straights and ten medium- to high-speed
corners. The wide track, almost 16 meters in some spots, allows
racers plenty of opportunity for overtaking maneuvers and open
throttle racing. It is one of the longest laps in MotoGP and
conditioning will be key factor on a course that is known for its
tropical heat and pressing humidity.

Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner heads to Sepang after already
scoring the MotoGP hat trick - he solidified the world
championship two races ago and last weekend helped Marlboro
Ducati win the Team championship in addition to leading Ducati to
the Constructors' title. Now he has a chance to etch his name in
the record books for the most point-scoring finishes in a single
campaign and has a chance to get his name on the illustrious list
of riders with the most wins in the premier class in a single
season. Though he won't be able to challenge Mick Doohan's
record of 12 race wins in a season, he could join Giacomo
Agostini and Valentino Rossi with 11 if he swept the final two
contests.

"I'm still trying just as hard to win races now that we've got the
title, because every race is as important as the other to me.
Being champion does make it different, it makes the racing more
enjoyable because I can relax a bit more," Stoner said.

With Stoner already securing the title, the real battle will be
waged for the second thru fifth spots. Fiat Yamaha's Rossi is in
second place and holds a 29-point advantage over Repsol
Honda's Dani Pedrosa. The inside line gives Rossi the edge this
weekend in Malaysia based on prior results. The Doctor won at
Sepang last year and has only finished lower than second once in
his MotoGP career on the circuit. This includes victories in 2001,
'03, '04 and '06.

But don't count Pedrosa out. The young Spaniard finished third on
the Sepang International Circuit last year and has claimed pole
position in the last two races. The Repsol Honda ace can't afford
any slip ups as both Rizla Suzuki riders are poised to capitalize on
any mistakes he might make for their chance to move into
Pedrosa's third place spot. It would be difficult to overcome his
36-point advantage with only two races left, but not impossible.
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pics from ducati.com & motograndprix.it