Dovizioso Wins Malaysian Grand Prix

Andrea Dovizioso won a rainy Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday to keep the MotoGP title race alive as Marc Marquez’s coronation was delayed with a fourth place finish.

Italian Dovizioso overtook team mate Jorge Lorenzo with four laps remaining to claim his sixth win of the campaign at Sepang circuit and give Ducati a 1-2 finish for the first time this year, Marca reported.

Johann Zarco grabbed third on his Yamaha, nursing a soft rear tire to the finish, frustrating Marquez’s hopes of sealing his fourth MotoGP title with a race to spare.

Dovizioso’s win is only likely to stall the championship leader’s triumph for another two weeks as Honda-riding Marquez will take a 21-point lead over the Italian into the final race in Valencia.

Reigning champion Marquez moved to 282 points and with 25 up for grabs in Spain, should wrap up the title if his bike stays on two wheels. Stranger things have happened, however, and 31-year-old Dovizioso was not ruling out his chances of a maiden title.

“Everything can happen during the weekend, and you never know about the weather,” he told reporters.”We know it’s difficult but we are relaxed. We are going to Valencia in a relaxed way and will try to do the maximum.”

Dovizioso started third on the grid behind pole-sitter Dani Pedrosa yet it was Marquez charging into the lead with a brilliant start from seventh. He was forced to turn wide, however, and fell quickly back to third behind Zarco and Lorenzo.

Valencia MotoGP 2017 race will be held November 10-12 at The Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana, Spain.