From rainy, cold Australia to the heat of Malaysia
The LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP teams to face a significant challenge this weekend in south-east Asia. Nevertheless, Moto2 riders Manuel Gonzalez and Senna Agius are among the favourites at the formidable Sepang circuit, as are the Moto3 duo of David Almansa and David Muñoz, even though Malaysia will be yet another test for the latter. Both teams aim to help their riders to score as many points as possible in order to solidify their respective positions in the riders’ standings or make up ground in the overall standings.
After the MotoGP World Championship’s departure from Phillip Island, which came to an unfortunate end last Sunday without a race, the entire paddock headed directly to Malaysia, where conditions couldn’t be more different: Following cold, wet weather in South Australia, teams and riders can expect hot and humid tropical conditions this weekend. Added to this is the technically demanding layout of the Sepang International Circuit, located about 70 km southwest of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and right next to the international airport. Sepang is also one of the longest tracks on the calendar, which poses yet another challenge for the riders given the gruelling climatic conditions. The Malaysian Grand Prix also marks the end of this month’s long Asia/Australia tour. So this will be the last time to set an early wake-up call.
The battle for the Moto2 title remains as exciting as ever, and not just because of the cancelled race at Phillip Island. With only four Grand Prix races left on the schedule, championship leader Manuel Gonzalez holds a five-and-a-half-point lead over his closest rival, Izan Guevara. In Sepang, Gonzalez and the LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP team will do everything they can to extend their lead in the overall standings. The cancellation of Sunday’s race in Australia was particularly painful for Senna Agius. After strong practice sessions, the 21-year-old local hero was among the favourites, and he would have wanted nothing more than to compete in front of his passionate home crowd. Agius arrives in Malaysia in sixth place in the World Championship, just a hair behind current third-placed rider in Moto2 standings, Ivan Ortola. In the heat of Southeast Asia, Agius aims to carry his momentum from the last two race weekends and continue to close the gap in the points standings.
The team's Moto3 outfit, featuring David Almansa and David Muñoz, had set equally high goals for Sunday’s race at Phillip Island. They hope to make up for it at Sepang, as David Almansa is right in the thick of the battle for the runner-up title in the riders’ standings. The 20-year-old celebrated a podium finish, third place, at Sepang a year ago. Teammate David Muñoz faces another difficult challenge. Given the expected conditions, the 20-year-old Spaniard will need to pace himself carefully, as he is still on the road to a full recovery from his serious pelvic injury.
The weekend's time schedule (CET):
Friday 30 October
02:00 - 02:35 Moto3™ Free Practice 1
02:50 - 03:30 Moto2™ Free Practice 1
03:45 - 04:30 MotoGP™ Free Practice 1
06:15 - 06:50 Moto3™ Practice
07:05 - 07:45 Moto2™ Practice
08:00 - 09:00 MotoGP™ Practice
Satuday 31 October
01:40 - 02:10 Moto3™ Free Practice 2
02:25 - 02:55 Moto2™ Free Practice 2
03:10 - 03:40 MotoGP™ Free Practice 2
03:50 - 04:05 MotoGP™ Qualifying 1
04:15 - 04:30 MotoGP™ Qualifying 2
05:45 - 06:00 Moto3™ Qualifying 1
06:10 - 06:25 Moto3™ Qualifying 2
06:40 - 06:55 Moto2™ Qualifying 1
07:05 - 07:20 Moto2™ Qualifying 2
08:00 MotoGP™ Sprint (10 Laps – 55.430 km)
Sunday 1 November
03:40 - 03:50 MotoGP™ Warm-Up
05:00 Moto3™ Race (15 Laps – 83.145 km)
06:15 Moto2™ Race (17 Laps – 94.231 km)
08:00 MotoGP™ Race (20 Laps – 110.860 km)