At the end of this weekend at Sepang, it is likely that Jorge Lorenzo will be crowned the 2010 MotoGP champion. Lorenzo has a 69 point lead heading into Malaysia, and with the high probability that his closest competitor Dani Pedrosa will be sitting out of this weekend's race, the title is Lorenzo's for the taking.
If Pedrosa does sit out this weekend, which is more than likely to happen, Lorenzo will need just 7 points to clinch the 2010 MotoGP title. Pedrosa fractured his collar bone during the Motegi event, and just had surgery a few days ago.
"I am still very stiff in my neck and across the back of my shoulders, so the target is to get back to racing in Australia,” Pedrosa said. “There is a very small possibility of going to Malaysia, but the realistic target is Australia. I had another check-up today and it shows clearly that the plate on my collarbone is very well fixed and the progress has been good after the operation."
With Pedrosa out of the picture, Lorenzo could be on his way to his first MotoGP championship.
"All I am thinking about is Sunday and if I can win the title...it's been one of the dreams of my life and it would be great to get it here in Sepang," Lorenzo said. "The team and I will focus in the same way we have all season, working hard from Friday and with the goal of podium or victory.”
It will be difficult for the MotoGP riders to stop Lorenzo from scoring 7 points this weekend, but they could keep the season leader off of the podium for the third race in a row.
Casey Stoner has been at the top of his game lately, claiming the last two race wins. Andrea Dovizioso will also be a contender for the top. Dovizioso is 21 points behind Stoner in 4th, and is coming off of his best finish of the year, with a second place finish in Motegi.
Valentino Rossi has also shown some life as of late. Rossi has not been himself since his crash earlier this season, but last weekend he battled it out with his teammate Jorge Lorenzo for the final spot on the podium, and won. Rossi also has a great record in Malaysia, claiming 5 race victories in Sepang.
MotoGP Overall Standings
1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 297
2. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 228
3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 180
4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda Team 159
5. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 156
6. Ben Spies (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 139
7. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team 129
8. Randy de Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 88
9. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 84
10. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 81
