The MotoGP World Championship reaches a crucial stage this weekend, with the teams and riders heading to Sepang for the first in a run of three Grands Prix in as many weekends; the Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. A strong showing in the Malaysian, Australian and Japanese races could see the overall classification turned on its head, and whoever finishes the triple flyaway in the driving seat will be a clear favourite to take the title. Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden is the current leader, having taken two victories and shown tremendous consistency thus far this season. However, the Kentucky Kid will be eager to bounce back from a disappointing ninth place at Brno, his lowest finish in 2006, and further extend his advantage at the top of the leaderboard. His closest challenge is found on the other side of the garage, with team-mate Dani Pedrosa lying 25 points behind the American as he continues his incredible adaptation to the premier class. Pedrosa has been playing down his title chances, but if he continues his podium-placing form demonstrated so far this season, then nobody can afford to overlook the 20 year-old rookie. Although 38 points behind Hayden and plagued by bad luck in 2006, Valentino Rossi can never be written off. Camel Yamaha’s Italian star is a big fan of the Sepang circuit, a track where a second place finish in 2005 handed him the title. The Italian will need to put in a big performance over the next three races to make up ground on Hayden, but will thrive on the challenge. Marco Melandri finds himself in much the same position as his countryman, and last season’s World Championship runner-up approaches the flyaway races in peak condition. Having battled through pain at various points this season, a fully fit Melandri could yet challenge the favourites for the top positions. The last time the championship experienced three races in succession, Loris Capirossi started as joint leader. However, a huge crash and subsequent injuries in Catalunya derailed his season and he has dropped down the standings as a result of the after-effects. Having dominated in the Czech Republic, and this week confirmed for a seat on Ducati’s new GP7 project for next season, Capirossi is still on course for his most successful season in MotoGP. Even more importantly, Capirossi won this race last year on board the Italian machine, and fresh from the win in Brno, the 50 points gap to leader Hayden could yet still be breached. The remainder of the top ten are some way off the leading spots. Casey Stoner, impressive in the early part of the season before a series of crashes, is still experiencing a fantastic start to his premier class career, whilst a resurgent Kenny Roberts Jr leads a pack of three Americans, the others being Colin Edwards and John Hopkins. Shinya Nakano completes the top ten for Kawasaki. Sete Gibernau will return for Ducati Marlboro after sitting out the Brno date as he recovered from a second shoulder operation. With the Spaniard back with the team, temporary replacement Alex Hofmann rejoins Pramac d’Antin for the Asian race. 250cc In 250cc, the two-horse race for the title between Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso continues. Lorenzo has won six races already this season, and in Brno announced that he would continue with Aprilia in the category next year. Dovizioso has been the season’s consistent performer, with only one win to his name but a bag of podium positions which keep him in title contention. Behind them, Yuki Takahashi, Hiroshi Aoyama, Alex de Angelis and Roberto Locatelli are fighting amongst themselves in an incredibly tight battle for what seems an inevitable third place in the standings. 125cc Alvaro Bautista is the runaway leader in 125cc, 69 points ahead of nearest rival Mika Kallio. The Master MVA Aspar Team have another three riders; Mattia Pasini, Sergio Gadea and Hector Faubel, in the top six, ahead of Derbi’s Lukas Pesek. Repsol Honda’s Bradley Smith is a big doubt for the Malaysian race, with all signs pointing to a possible replacement from the Red Bull MotoGP Academy occupying his spot whilst he recovers from a fractured wrist. MOTOGP RIDERS ARRIVE FOR DECISIVE WEEKEND IN MALAYSIA The MotoGP tour arrived in Malaysia today, although not for the first time this season for the majority of riders. The track has already played host to a number of tests over the preseason, adding to the familiarity of the popular Sepang Circuit, and the teams soon settled into their regular routines as the paddock filled up in preparation for the Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Three of the riders in contention for the 2006 title were present in the traditional Thursday press conference, as championship leader Nicky Hayden and rivals Valentino Rossi and Loris Capirossi were joined by John Hopkins and Randy de Puniet to face the media. As well as giving their views on the battle for this season’s crown and the exciting race three weeks ago in Brno, the riders also commented on their first impressions of the 800cc bikes, which a number of them had tried out for the first time after the Grand Prix held in the Czech Republic. New MotoGP regulations mean that bikes will have a maximum engine capacity of 800cc from 2007. Malaysia offers some spectacular scenery for the visitor, and a group of riders got to experience first hand one of the country’s main attractions as they were taken to see the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin set of buildings in the world. MotoGP riders Makoto Tamada and Chris Vermeulen were joined by 250cc contender Andrea Dovizioso, runaway 125cc leader Alvaro Bautista and KTM rising star Michael Ranseder as they ascended the 88 floors of the tower, designed by Argentinean architect Cesar Peli. Sete Gibernau made his return to the paddock today after his enforced absence from the race in Brno. Now fully recovered and given the all-clear to take part in the Marlboro Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Spaniard will be back onboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP6 tomorrow morning for the first practice session at the Sepang Circuit. Nicky Hayden (Honda) “The result in Brno wasn´t what we needed, and now we are coming up to crunch time in the championship. I’m looking forward to it, and think that I have a legit chance of taking the title. There are many contenders, so I’m just focusing on myself and doing my best. The competition makes it really exciting this year,” “I’ve had three fourth places at this track, I like it but want to take a step up. Tyres are most important here, and if it rains I won’t mind so much. I feel a lot better now about wet weather riding.” Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) “It isn’t easy, but I’m quite confident after Brno. It was a good weekend, especially as we were able to stay in the top three during the practices.” “Pole positions will be important now. You can have a performance like in Sachsenring, starting from further back and coming through to win, maybe once in a season. It’s a one-time performace, not something that you can do all the time. My target is a repeat of Brno. This track is true MotoGP track, and good for my riding style.” Loris Capirossi (Ducati) “Every year is different. A good performance here last year doesn’t mean anything. We have some good plans for tomorrow. 50 points isn’t impossible”¦.but I think it is impossible! I will try my hardest to make up the advantage anyway.” “I tried out the 800cc bike, and I liked it. It seems a good bike, and the lap times weren’t too bad. It’s closer to a 250cc, it’s smaller but not really lighter.” John Hopkins (Suzuki) “We are consistent, but not exactly where we are position wise. I would like to get up to seventh in the championship. We are stepping up with some new parts, although it’s strange to have people working on the 800cc bike as well. Most of the parts will simply be transferred next year to the new Suzuki model.” “I am looking forward to racing here. I’m going to get my head down, work hard and hopefully I can have a good race.” Randy de Puniet (Kawasaki) “The first part of the season was really bad, but since Sachsenring it has been ok. In Brno I had a little bit of a problem, which lost me some time, but here should be good for me. I tested well here during the winter, and I think I can have my best result this season since Jerez.”