Honda’s Dani Pedrosa has made it five wins in six races with victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix to close to within 23 points of MotoGP leader Jorge Lorenzo with two races to go.
The Spaniard stormed home to keep his championship challenge alive on a rain-soaked circuit, with the race having to be ended on lap 13 of the 20 due to the hazardous conditions.
Pedrosa won ahead of Lorenzo in second, which limits the damage on the championship table, while Casey Stoner was third.
“It is my first win in the wet and I am very happy. I could get some rhythm and maintained a constant lap,” Pedrosa said.
Lorenzo had started the GP well but as the conditions worsened, Pedrosa eventually caught up.
I was struggling when heavy rain poured on the track. I am lucky to be second. It [the 20 points obtained for second place] is good for the championship title, Lorenzo said.
The next race is Stoner’s fine homecoming at the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 28, before the season concludes in Valencia on November 11.