Rossi seeks to hold off pursuing Lorenzo

MotoGP legend bidding to widen gap this weekend in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo bring their two-man battle for the MotoGP title to Malaysia’s tricky track this weekend for the penultimate race in a season streaking towards a nail-biting finish.

The contest between the Yamaha teammates tightened at last weekend’s spectacular Australian Grand Prix, where Lorenzo shaved Rossi’s season points lead down to just 11.

The legendary Rossi has won seven world championships in the premier class over the course of his glittering career but hasn’t taken home the crown since 2009.

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“There are only two races for the championship left and it will be important not to make any mistakes,” said Rossi, whose slip to a fourth-place finish at Phillip Island opened a crack for Lorenzo.

Rossi is comfortable on Malaysia’s muggy, slippery Sepang circuit, winning six times in the top-tier class.

The 36-year-old was the runner-up at Sepang last year in a race that was meaningless for the world title, as defending champion Marc Marquez had already secured it with a dominant season. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2015.

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