The MotoGP championship battle is going to come to an end at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya after a change in plans.
The Valencia region has been battered by floods and bad weather, meaning that the race had no chance of being held there.
Riders at the Malaysian Grand Prix did a good job of putting on a show for the fans despite the sad situation, including a fascinating battle between title protagonists Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia.
For three lads, they went head-to-toe with each other, before the Italian rode into the distance to claim his tenth win of the season.
Francesco Bagnaia had to go ‘over the limit’ in Malaysian Grand Prix
It was a crucial outcome for Bagnaia, whose only chance of keeping the championship fight open was to win at the Sepang circuit.
The lead changed multiple times, and neither wanted to give an inch before Martin backed off to conserve his bike and claim second place.
Speaking to Crash.Net after the race, Bagnaia admitted that he had to push himself further than he would have liked to beat Martin in Malaysia.
“He was stronger in corner five, he was gaining a lot there.” he said. But I was very strong in all the entries to the corners.
“And I think to overtake me, to attack me, he had to go over the limit. I saw twice that he was losing the front again and the fight was very, very on the limit.
“But I was very good on braking and at the last corner I was always attacking at the maximum, and it was the good strategy.”
What can Bagnaia do to win the title?
First and foremost, Bagnaia must ensure that he wins the season finale at Barcelona to have any chance of claiming a third MotoGP crown.
Anything less would see Martin win, even if he retires from the race – which is the exact outcome that the Italian also needs for him to achieve an unlikely victory.
Martin will have this in the back of his mind, so expect to see the Spaniard almost coasting around the track with a conservative approach.
READ MORE: What Francesco Bagnaia ‘has to’ do to win the MotoGP title amid Jorge Martin battle
His rivals on track won’t want to affect the outcome of the title, so should end up giving him the respect and space that he deserves.
Bagnaia may opt for an aggressive approach, and try to force a mistake from Martin in what is virtually the only way that he can win the title cleanly now.