World champion Valentino Rossi has moved one step closer to clinching his sixth title after winning the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

World champion Valentino Rossi has moved one step closer to clinching his sixth title after winning the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Rossi crossed the finish line ahead of Honda riders Max Biaggi and Alex Barros. His closest championship rival, Sete Gibernau finished in seventh position, extending The Doctor's lead to a commanding 30 points with two rounds to go.

After losing his lead into turn one to Barros, who was second on the grid, the Italian became engaged in a race-long battle with Biaggi.

However, even the surge by Loris Capirossi and Makoto Tamada as they sped through the field towards the end, could not stop the lead group's advance. Nicky Hayden finished fourth while Tamada and Capirossi finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Shinya Nakano finished eighth while Rossi's team-mate, Carlos Checa, finished ninth.

"The victory was very important, especially after we lost 25 points in Qatar," Rossi said. "I am very, very happy."

Rossi went into the Sepang race with a 14-point lead after a dismal performance in Qatar, where he was penalised for allegedly tampering with this starting position. He eventually crashed on the slippery Losail circuit.

However, after his victory, the charismatic Rossi took a broom and swept the ground in front of his Yamaha, much to the delight of the crowd.

"It's my style, we want to joke," said Rossi.

Original article from Car