Morbidelli's Victory A Major Boost For MotoGP World Title Chase

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) principal, Razlan Razali was delighted with the performance of the team’s rider, Franco Morbidelli, who secured his second Moto Grand Prix (MotoGP) victory at Teruel GP at the Aragon Circuit in Spain, on Sunday. Razlan pointed out that the second victory scored by the 25-year-old Italian after the San Marino GP at the Misano World Circuit in September had certainly boosted the latter's morale to chase for the MotoGP World title. “He is now back in contention for the world championship, with just three rounds to go and only 25 points shy of the (MotoGP) leader,” Razlan was quoted as saying in the statement issued by the team on Monday. “The bike looks good and he looks comfortable on it, and we are very happy that he’s achieved his second MotoGP victory,” Razlan asserted. Morbidelli, who started in the front row of the starting grid, took charge of the race to romp home in 41 minutes and 47.652 seconds after pole-sitter, Japan's Takaaki Nakagami of LCR Honda Idemitsu, was involved in a crash in the opening lap. Team Suzuki Ecstar's Spanish riders Alex Rins (2.205 seconds behind) and Joan Mir (5.376 seconds behind) came in second and third respectively. Meanwhile, Razlan revealed that the team's technical crew would make an in-depth analysis of Morbidelli's teammate, Fabio Quartararo, who only managed to finish eighth in 42:20.372 seconds. “We need to sit down and see how we can make it better for the final three races. He is only 14 points off the leader in the championship and there are still plenty of points on offer in the next races,” Razlan said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how this final triple-header (three races in one month) of the year will play out,” he added. With the victory, Morbidelli jumped two rungs to fourth place in the MotoGP World Championship standings with 112 points. Mir and Quartararo stayed in the top two spots with 137 points and 123 points respectively, followed by Monster Energy Yamaha's Spaniard Maverick Vinales in third with 118 points. The next two MotoGP World Championship races will be the European GP (Nov 6-8) and the Valencia GP (Nov 13-15). -- BERNAMA