Valentino Rossi is due to claim the 2009 title this weekend at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Second position at Phillip Island for Rossi, along with Lorenzo’s smash at turn one on the first lap, extended his lead at the top of the rankings to 38 points. This means a top four place at Sepang, regardless of where Lorenzo finishes, will ensure a seventh premier class crown for the 30 year-old.

“Phillip Island was like gold dust for us in terms of points and now we go to Malaysia, another of my favourite tracks, with our first ‘match point',” says Rossi. “Of course anything can happen but it's a great track for me and generally the Yamaha works well there so we have a good chance.”

“We worked brilliantly in Australia and we know that if we can do the same at Sepang then we can have another good weekend. There is no chance for us to relax – everyone is focused, motivated and excited now that we are at this stage, and our number one target for the weekend is to try to close out the championship. We will do our best and see where we are on Sunday night.”

At Sepang, Lorenzo will compete on a circuit where he took his 250cc world title in 2007, the Spaniard is determined to focus on a second placing MotoGP World Championship end in only his second premier class year.

“After the disappointment in Australia I am glad to have the chance to be back on the bike so soon. I am not hurt and I will be in good shape to race,” says Lorenzo. “We don't think about the championship now; my target is to confirm second place in the championship and, in just my second season in MotoGP, I think that this is a great achievement and I will be happy if I can do it.”

“I like Sepang a lot, I know it well from testing and I have some great memories, especially in 2007 when I took the 250 title there. This time my team and I will just be focused on having a good weekend and getting as many points as we can in order to achieve our target.”