MotoGP: Dovi fastest in wet and dry at Sepang

Andrea Dovizioso has topped the day in both wet and dry conditions at the Malaysian Grand Prix, heating up the 2017 title race as he and Marc Marquez go down to the wire with only two races remaining.

The factory Ducati rider was fastest in a dry but damp morning session with Marquez fifth, before upping the ante in tricky conditions in the afternoon, ending up with a significant half a second lead over his Spanish rival in the rain.

“Today was a very positive day because we were quickest both this morning in the dry and in the afternoon in the wet, and it was very important to start in this way at Sepang. We know that there’s still a lot of work to do, especially in the dry, and we hope to have some sessions with the track in a good condition tomorrow, so that we can prepare the best settings for the race.

“In any case it was good that we confirmed out pace in the wet and today went even better than last year, so I’m very satisfied: my Desmosedici goes really well in the wet, we’ve got excellent grip and it was quite easy for me to go quick.”

Alvaro Bautista was second overall on combined times, ahead of Johann Zarco, with the provisional second row consisting of Maverick Viñales, Marquez and best of the Brits Cal Crutchlow.

However, with more rain potentially forecast for tomorrow morning, the big loser of the day could be Valentino Rossi, currently out of qualifying two in twelfth.