Sepang: ‘DesmoDovi’ on cloud nine

Never before – never ever before – has a single season of the premier class seen nine different winners. But from a surprise pole position for Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), the Italian went on to take his second premier class win in the Malaysian GP, and did it in style ahead of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Calm, collected and utterly focused on the flag, winner number nine made history – and fulfilled Ducati’s aim of two race wins in 2016.

It was a race of attrition, with big names – and previous wet weather winners – crashing out. The likes of Marc Marquez, Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Iannone all hit the deck at Sepang, and even Rossi struggled, just keeping it on the road to take second after a difficult time on his front tyre in the latter stages. Teammate Jorge Lorenzo crossed the line to take the podium, but Rossi gained just enough on the ‘Spartan’ to secure runner up in the title fight.

With one round left - back in Valencia - Lorenzo was under more pressure from the man who would replace him at Yamaha - Maverick Viñales - for P3 - and Marquez was looking for some better luck after crashes following his title win. And, after a long few weeks of recuperation, Dani Pedrosa was going to be back as the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana prepared to welcome back the generation of history makers: nine different winners, all lining up on the same grid.