Spanish rider Marc Marquez (Ducati) dominated the Malaysian Grand Prix, securing a commanding victory at Sepang Circuit on Sunday, soaring to the top of the riders' standings and moving closer to clinching his eighth world title in the premier class and tenth overall in his career.
Marquez completed the race (20 laps) in a time of 40:14.236 minutes, finishing 4.172 seconds ahead of compatriot Pedro Acosta (KTM), winner of Saturday's sprint race, and 5.955 seconds ahead of his younger brother Alex Marquez (Ducati-Gresini).
Marquez capitalized on the absence of fellow Spaniard Jorge Martín (Aprilia) from the nineteenth round due to a wrist fracture, claiming his seventh victory of the season and the 80th of his career in the premier class, drawing ever closer to Italian record-holder Valentino Rossi, who has 89 wins in MotoGP.
The reigning world champion also secured his third victory in Malaysia in MotoGP competition, with his previous win at Sepang dating back to 2018.
Marquez increased his tally to 399 points at the top of the overall riders' standings, leading Martín by 44 points, whose total remained at 355 points.
The 33-year-old Ducati rider could clinch the title early at the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix next weekend, if the race takes place, depending on the evolving security situation in the Middle East.
Yamaha team announced immediately after the Malaysian Grand Prix that they will not travel to Qatar next week for the twentieth round due to the "security situation in the Middle East."
The final two races will be held in Portugal and Valencia (Spain) at the end of this month.
Marquez needs to gain 30 more points than Martín next weekend to claim the title for the eighth time in MotoGP and the tenth time in his career across all categories.
Marquez noted that "only a few races remain, but there are still many crucial moments ahead," amid uncertainty over whether the Qatar Grand Prix will take place and whether Martín, the 2024 world champion, will have recovered by then.
Japan's Ai Ogura (Aprilia–Trackhouse) finished fourth after a fierce battle at the finish with Italian Marco Bezzecchi riding a factory team Aprilia.
Bezzecchi, third in the overall standings with 332 points, lost fifth place in the race to compatriot Francesco Bagnaia (KTM-Tech3) after making a mistake just before crossing the finish line.
