The MotoGP World Championship paddock leaves behind the fresh spring temperatures of Australia this week and heads for the heat of Malaysia, host to the fourth and final back-to-back race of the season. The 250cc World Championship title chase approaches an exciting conclusion, with 50 points still up for grabs and the series leader seemingly running out of steam in the crucial part of the season. His rivals are closing in and everything points to a final-race decider at Valencia in two weeks’ time.
Mapfre rider Álvaro Bautista heads into the Malaysian round hoping for a turnaround in his recent fortunes, having come away empty handed from the last race but one in Portugal following a crash and then suffering another crash when throwing caution to the wind with a stirring challenge for victory in Australia. Having at least been able to return to the track and score points in tenth place at Phillip Island, his hopes of winning the title are still alive although only just, with a 29-point gap to the top and just two races remaining. However, Álvaro will continue to throw everything he has at the cause from the opening practice session on Friday at Sepang, where he hopes to revitalise his season with a victory. His team-mate Mike Di Meglio continued his recent run of good form in Australia with a fifth-place finish although a rear-end problem prevented him from challenging for the podium. The Frenchman is hoping to bounce back with a podium this weekend as he continues his quest to be crowned Rookie of the Year in Valencia.
With no time to return to his hometown of Budapest in between races, Balatonring rider Balázs Németh has headed straight for Malaysia, where he will make his debut at the exotic Sepang circuit in Friday’s opening free practice session. Despite never having ridden at Phillip Island before Balázs missed out on the points by just one position in Australia and he is hoping that hard work can help him take that extra step in Malaysia. The rookie knows it will be no easy task but is prepared to try everything alongside his team to achieve it.
Álvaro Bautista:
“Luck hasn’t been on our side over the past couple of races. I guess that in this sport, as in any other, you have to prepare yourself properly and believe you can win but you also need a touch of luck too. After Portugal I was sure that we couldn’t hold anything back in the races that remained, that it was time to take a few risks and that’s what we did in Australia. The gamble didn’t pay off but we can’t lose heart. Sepang is another circuit I love and I know that the Aprilia can perform much better than the Honda here, so we have to make the most of it. The championship is a very slim possibility but it is still a possibility and we have nothing to lose, so we’ll just give it our best shot every time we go out onto the track and try everything we can to win the last two races.”
Mike Di Meglio:
“Sepang is a circuit where I usually struggle to find a good set-up and feel comfortable. Even last season, when I was fighting for the podium, my bike wasn’t 100% right. It will be new and different with the 250 so I hope I can adapt quickly. Looking back on the race in Australia I realised where I went wrong and why I made the mistakes I did, and I want to work hard to make sure they don’t happen again. The result at Phillip Island wasn’t bad but I wasn’t completely satisfied with it because I see myself more of a frontrunner now than a chaser. I also want to get back on the podium – we have the material and enough quality to do it.”
Balázs Németh:
“Everything will be new for me again in Malaysia, just as it was at Phillip Island. I’m really excited about it because from what I know about Sepang it is an incredible circuit – not just because of its length but also its characteristics. I’m sure I’m going to like it so I head into this weekend with plenty of motivation and ready to work hard from Friday. It won’t be easy because fatigue always plays a part when you have back-to-back races but I hope I can give it my best shot. In the past two races I have been a hair’s breadth from getting back in the points and I want to do so as soon as possible.”
