Dovizioso wins the MotoGP race in Malaysia, the title will be decided in Valencia

The MotoGP World Championship has held the penultimate round of the 2017 season at the Sepang Circuit, in Malaysia, where we have seen a race marked by track conditions due to the rain, as always at the Malaysian circuit weather brings surprises.

The start was spectacular for Johann Zarco, the Frenchman got away like a whirlwind thanks to his soft tyres, and set an incredible pace in the first corners, completely breaking the race from the start and leaving a second group with Lorenzo – Pedrosa – Dovi – Márquez. The 99 also had a spectacular start, as he moved up to 2nd in just one manoeuvre. We also saw Marc gritting his teeth to try to join the leaders and leave behind his main rival for the title, Dovi.

With Zarco standing out and Lorenzo in second place, the excitement centred on the battle between Marc and Dovi, the Italian took advantage of a slipstream to overtake the 93, but after some intense laps between them, even seeing a touch or two. But the Italian put his foot down and went after Lorenzo, his teammate, while the Mallorcan gradually closed the gap to the race leader.

With 12 laps to go, Lorenzo positioned himself on Zarco’s tail and passed him, and Dovi also took advantage of that move, it was clear that the Frenchman’s soft tyre was no longer in its best condition and he could not hold off the Ducati riders, so all the attention focused on Lorenzo vs Dovi, 99 vs 4, Ducati vs Ducati, undoubtedly the worst scenario for the Italian brand.

At that very moment the shadow of TEAM ORDERS loomed, and undoubtedly all eyes were on the Ducati box when, suddenly, the following announcement appeared on screen: Ducati sends message to Lorenzo suggesting a change of mapping to 8.

At that point the alarms began to sound, little by little Dovi was stalking the 99, and finally, with 4 laps to go the Italian overtook Lorenzo, seeing how the 99 slipped a little and almost crashed. Undoubtedly, since the mapping change was signalled the Ducati did not seem to go the same way, so rumours quickly emerged, especially when Gigi Dall’igna was later asked and replied: “We did what we had to do in these circumstances”, and of course the alarms ring much louder.

It is clear that team orders are not prohibited, and that in this situation it was evident, since if Lorenzo did not let Dovi pass, Márquez would be world champion, but despite this it has become the most talked-about thing of the Grand Prix.

With this situation, victory for Dovi, who comes alive into the championship for Valencia, followed by Lorenzo and Zarco. The top ten was completed by Márquez 4th, Pedrosa 5th, Petrucci 6th, Rossi 7th, Miller 8th, Viñales 9th and 10th Pol Espargaró.

Now comes the finale, the definitive showdown in Valencia, Márquez leads by 21 points, but Dovi will fight for everything.