Andrea Dovizioso peerless and in control at Sepang

Dovi scythes smoothly to the front for Sepang Victory

Marc Marquez leads by 21-points heading to Valencia Finale

It was a must win in many ways for Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso as the paddock arrived at Sepang International Circuit, and the Italian kept calm under intense pressure to secure his sixth win of the season – and take the Championship fight down to the wire.

Andrea Dovizioso took his time in chasing down his teammate and it took a big slide from Lorenzo for the Italian to sweep past the Spanish #99

Slicing through the rain to catch and pass teammate Jorge Lorenzo, Dovizioso was seven tenths clear of the Majorcan at the flag in a 1-2 for Ducati – and key rival Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) crossed the line in fourth.

Andrea Dovizioso celebrated a brilliant tactical victory with a fine stand-up mono across the line at Sepang

Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completed the podium after a stunning start, wrapping up the title of top Independent Team rider.

It was Marquez who took an incredible initial holeshot from the third row, but the reigning Champion headed wide along with Lorenzo – allowing Zarco to slice through into the lead.

Once there, the Frenchman lit it up to escape into the distance, and Lorenzo moved through to chase the Tech 3 rider down. Marquez slotted into third, with Dovizioso initially the man to lose out – but the Italian soon began to move through.

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Zarco’s lead began to diminish, Dovizioso passed Marquez, and then both Ducatis were able to pass the Frenchman. It seemed Marquez would have the pace to take third from Zarco, but the reigning Champion couldn’t make up the ground.

Sepang MotoGP 2017 - Jorge Lorenzo — Sepang MotoGP 2017 – Jorge Lorenzo

At the front, Lorenzo was holding firm as the two red machines streaked away – but the number 99 then suffered a moment at Turn 15 with a foot off the footpeg. ‘DesmoDovi’ saw his chance to strike, then facing down some nervous laps as the end of the race neared. Lorenzo brought it back to seven tenths over the line, with Zarco back on the rostrum in third.

Sepang MotoGP 2017 - Team Ducati celebrate a strong 1-2 — Sepang MotoGP 2017 – Team Ducati celebrate a strong 1-2

Marquez was eight seconds further back in fourth, with polesitter and teammate Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) completing the top five after a more promising showing in the wet for the former winner at the venue in similar conditions.

Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez early in the race at Sepang

Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) put in a superstar performance in the wet as he was forced to start from the back after a technical problem with his number one bike, and moved up to take sixth over the line – a gain of over 15 places.

Danilo Petrucci came from behind to fight his way through the pack and made it three Ducati machines in the top six

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was close to his compatriot by the end of the race to take seventh and only four tenths back, ahead of a more lonely finish for EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider Jack Miller into P8.

Jack Miller was in the thick of the action early on but as the race wore on was in a somewhat lonely eighth place between Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales. That is the Australian's eighth top-ten finish so far this season and a strong ride at Valencia could see him move up to tenth in the championhip standings. — Jack Miller was in the thick of the action early on but as the race wore on was in a somewhat lonely eighth place between Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales. That is the Australian’s eighth top-ten finish so far this season and a strong ride at Valencia could see him move up to tenth in the championhip standings.

Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) had a tough race for ninth, with Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory) giving KTM another consecutive top ten finish after another impressive race.

Both Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith performed strongly for KTM at Sepang. Smith was running strongly in sixth in the early laps of the race but eventually drifted back to 12th as the early pace took a toll on his soft rear tyre. Espargaro finished tenth

Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) took P11, with the points scorers completed by Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing), Hector Barbera (Reale Avintia Racing) and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda.)

Cal Crutchlow in front of Michael Van Der Mark

It’s now truly everything or nothing for the two title challengers, and the Championship comes back to Europe for the final showdown at Valencia. Marquez leads by 21 points, so it’s a long shot for ‘DesmoDovi’…but never, ever say never.