Rossi in Top Spot for Title in Malaysia

The Sepang circuit in Malaysia might be the venue for Valentino Rossi's 7th FIM MotoGP World Championship title win. Requiring only a fourth place finish to seal the title win, Breaking his own previous record for pole position, one which The Doctor had set in 2006 while riding a 990cc bike, Rossi was thrilled by the drastic improvement in his prospects of winning the title on Sunday.

“It’s great to get the record because we worked so hard in practice and I’m very happy with the setting we have,” said Rossi. “My target was to try and go under 2’01, because in the winter test here I got to around that pace, but I managed to go even better and beat my own time from 2006 with a 990cc bike and qualifying tyres. It was a great lap.”

Rossi is clearly ready for the battle with Jorge Lorenzo and Lorenzo's poor form over the last few races coupled with the results of Saturday's qualification may have made it almost a foregone conclusion, as far as the MotoGP title clash is concerned. A 38-point lead would stretch to an unbeatable margin if Rossi finishes anywhere in the top-four, irrespective of Lorenzo's finishing position.

However, the fight is clearly on as Jorge Lorenzo finished second in qualifying and will be ahead of Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner.

Rossi, however, remains the stern favourite for the win and 2.10 odds against his name are a clear indication that sportsbooks think likewise. Casey Stoner, winner at the Phillip Island leg of the MotoGP calendar last race weekend, is placed in second place with 2.90 odds favouring a win. The Aussie is third in the overall standings but had it not been for a three-race absence, the scenario at the top of the standings would probably have been different.

Jorge Lorenzo may be second on the rankings but a string of poor finishes and no-results have led to 6.00 odds favouring a win for the Spaniard. While this doesn't seem to far off what anyone might think, Lorenzo is definitely a strong contender for the podium in Sepang rather than a win.

Valentino Rossi has informed the media that he will be looking at making the most of this opportunity and that the entire team is working to ensure that everything is finished during this race weekend itself.

“This is the target,” he said. “We have to work as though it is just a normal race and go for the victory, because we are good here. But the first objective is to get on the podium. With these three other guys who are so strong at this level, if you don’t go at 110% you risk starting fourth so the way we have worked this weekend has made a difference and I think we are ready for race day.”