MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso beats Valentino Rossi to Malaysia win
- Published
Andrea Dovizioso also set the fastest lap during the race in Sepang
Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso took victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix to become the ninth different race winner in MotoGP this season.
Dovizioso, 30, started from pole after the race in Sepang had been delayed by rain, but dropped to third early on.
He overhauled fellow Italian Valentino Rossi for the lead with five laps left after Rossi ran wide and pushed home his advantage.
It was only his second MotoGP victory in 159 races.
"It's really nice to come to this moment," said Dovizioso. "In these conditions I struggled a lot in the race and had some problems, but I really wanted it."
Rossi finished second ahead of Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo to secure runners-up spot in the championship, while Spanish world champion Marc Marquez, who had been hampered by illness over the past few days, crashed out of fourth place during the race and eventually finished 11th.
Malaysian Grand Prix result
1. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Ducati 42 minutes 27.333 seconds
2. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 42:30.448
3. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 42:39.257
4. Hector Barbera (Spa) Ducati 42:47.249
5. Loris Baz (Fra) Ducati 42:48.686
6. Maverick Vinales (Spa) Suzuki 42:50.265
7. Alvaro Bautista (Spa) Aprilia 42:53.162
8. Jack Miller (Aus) Honda 43:00.079
9. Pol Espargaro (Spa) Yamaha 43:01.037
10. Danilo Petrucci (Ita) Ducati 43:01.613
Championship standings
1. Marc Marquez (Spa) Honda 278
2. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 236
3. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 208
4. Maverick Vinales (Spa) Suzuki 191
5. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Ducati 162