Michelin saw its range of wet tyres used to great
effect today as Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) raced to victory during a rain
affected Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix at
Sepang in Malaysia and in the process become the ninth MotoGP™ race winner this
season.
Starting from pole position, Dovizioso saw that advantage quickly disappear
as Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) led the pack into the first corner.
By the time the riders had completed the first lap of the rain-soaked 5,543m
Sepang International Circuit, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) had
taken the lead, with rest of the field close behind. In the treacherous
conditions - which were caused by a torrential downpour as the bikes lined up
on the grid and resulted in a delayed start and a reduction of the race
distance to 19-laps - most riders chose the medium
MICHELIN Power Rain tyres front and rear. As the competitors found the
optimum grip through the standing water in the early laps, the lead changed
hands many times with - considering the conditions - some impressive overtaking
manoeuvres. Dovizioso was sitting in third place and on lap-12 overtook
team-mate Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) to take second. The Italian then chased
down Rossi and seized his opportunity on lap-15 to take the lead and push clear
at the front. Dovizioso never looked back and pulled away to take victory by
over three-seconds, with Rossi following him home in the runner-up position.
Dovizioso’s second MotoGP victory of his career also makes him the
record-breaking ninth different premier class winner in one season.
