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Valentino Rossi crowned MotoGP world champion 2009

October 25th, 2009 by Wongndeso

Valentino Rossi secured his seventh world MotoGP 2009 crown after finishing third in the rain-delayed Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang.

Valentino Rossi, 30, began in pole and only needed a top-four finish, with Yahama team-mate Jorge Lorenzo the only rider able to catch up in the standings.

Australian Casey Stoner won the race on his Ducati ahead of Spaniard Dani Pedrosa (Honda), with Lorenzo fourth.

The final race of the championship is in Valencia in two weeks.

Italy’s Lorenzo trailed Valentino Rossi by 38 points ahead of the championship’s penultimate race and was forced to start from the back of the grid after being penalised for not taking his starting position on time.
With torrential rain hampering proceedings, the race finally got under way and Valentino Rossi immediately slipped back to fifth on the opening bend with Pedrosa taking full advantage through the puddles.

At the end of the first lap Valentino Rossi found himself in 11th spot but used all his experience and nerve to work his way up through the field.

Despite the drying conditions during the 21-lap race, the track remained slippery throughout with Andrea Dovizioso losing control of his Honda with seven laps to go.

With 14 laps to go Valentino Rossi moved up into fourth spot and cruised to the finish line behind Stoner and Pedrosa amidst wild celebrations trackside.

It is Rossi’s fourth title for Yamaha and seventh premier class world title overall.