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2013 MotoGP: Flawless Victory for Pedrosa at Sepang, Marquez Extends Lead

Past Sunday was a glorious day for Dani Pedrosa at Sepang, as he clinched another win in the current season after a flawless race at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. This success comes to alleviate the bitter disappointment after crashing out of the last rac,e at Aragon.
Dani Pedrosa wins at Sepang 6 photos
Photo: MotoGP.com
2013 Sepang podiumDani Pedrosa at Sepang2013 Sepang2013 Sepang2013 Sepang, Pedrosa's finish
However his victory at Sepang only keeps Pedrosa in the battle for the 2013 title on a purely mathematical level. With a 54-points gap between him and Marquez, the only way Pedrosa could win would mean the rookie finishing with vevy little points or not scoring at all in the remaining 3 races and Pedrosa winning them all.

At the same time, Pedrosa should top Lorenzo to cover the 11-point gap, as well. Needless to say that neither Marquez or Lorenzo (2nd and 3rd on Sunday, respectively) are not willing to let go.

In fact, seeing the amazing battle the possible champion-to-be and the reigning champion put up in the first laps at Sepang, it's more than obvious they don't exactly care what Dani Pedrosa is doing, being too busy trying to secure the 2013 title.

3 races to the end of the current championship, Lorenzo is still 43 points behind Marquez and the Phillip Island round next Sunday might put an end to his efforts in case the rookie extends the lead.

As for the rest of the grid Rossi came in 4th, after some fighting with Alvaro Bautista, who also got the better of Cal Crutchlow, visibly slower in the two long straights at Sepang.

Crutchlow's effort is however, to be admired, as he rides with a severely swolleng right arm and still managed to trail Bautista, making up for the slow bike through very fast corners.

Aleix Espargaro was 9th at Sepang, still the leading CRT rider and with an overall excellent weekend in Malaysia. Though luck for Ducati's Nicky Hayden and Andrea Iannone, both forced to abandon due to mechanical problems.

MotoGP is already on the move for the Australian round at Phillip Island, next Sunday.
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