MotoGP Race Results

2005 Grand Prix of Malaysia, Sepang

We all knew it was coming, right? Valentino Rossi successfully defended his MotoGP World Championship title with a somewhat disappointing second-placed finish in the Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Sunday.

Rossi tried everything he could to win the World Championship in grand style by finishing first, but it was not to be. The Ducati with Loris Capirossi at the controls has been completely transformed over the last couple of races, with both bike and rider looking strong, smooth and unstoppable.

Rossi clinched the title for Yamaha with four races to spare after a daring battle for victory with Loris Capirossi. Rossi started from seventh on the grid and struggled to get to the front. He eventually took the challenge to Capirossi until the final seven laps, when the Ducati rider launched an unstoppable charge to the checkered flag.

“I am very happy because I gave more than 100% in the race today,” said Rossi. “We have been in trouble all weekend and this morning I wasn’t sure if I would finish on the podium. But I got a good start and rode a clever race whilst other riders seemed nervous and made mistakes. Little by little I moved to the front and I felt comfortable with the bike. I passed Hayden and then swapped positions with Capirossi a couple of times. In the last seven laps he changed gear and I couldn’t chase him. Anyway, I am World Champion for the seventh time, which is incredible!”

Before returning to the parc fermé ahead of the traditional podium ceremony, Rossi stopped for a new trademark antic with the members of his fan-club: he fitted a commemorative T-shirt and helmet sporting the number 7 corresponding to his World Championship crowns, and was greeted by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, each one representing a title.

Meanwhile, Sete Gibernau continues to labor under the "curse" laid upon him (the Malocchio?) by Rossi almost one year ago during the Qatar race. It's uncanny -- and scary -- because Rossi said Gibernau would never win another Grand Prix race. So far, it's been too true, with Gibernau crashing out yet again, after a pair of incidents with Hayden and Nakano.

The Sepang race was more exciting than usual, but Rossi simply could not catch the smooth Capirossi on the Ducati. If Ducati keeps this up, we may see the red bikes hogging the podium next year, although who knows what will happen with 2006's new 800cc engine rule.

First Grand Prix: 1996 MAL 125cc
First Pole Position 1996 CZE 125cc
First Race Fastest Lap 1996 FRA 125cc
First Podium 1996 AUT 125cc
First GP Victory 1996 CZE 125cc

Grand Prix Victories 77
500cc/MotoGP Victories 51
250cc Victories 14
125cc Victories 12
2nd Placements 23
3rd placements 13

World Championship Wins 7
1997 125cc
1999 250cc
2001 500cc
2002 MotoGP
2003 MotoGP
2004 MotoGP
2005 MotoGP

Born February 16, 1979 in Urbino. Son of Graziano Rossi, who was third in the 1979 250cc World Championship on a Morbidelli. Begins sporting career in 1990 in mini-moto competitions. In 1993 makes debut with Cagiva in Italian 125cc Sport Production championship, taking first victories in rookie season and winning the title in 1994.

In 1995 contests European Championships as official Aprilia rider, finishing the season in third place. Retains his Italian 125cc Championship crown and moves to the World Championship in 1996.

1996: World Championship debut at the 125cc Malaysian GP riding an Aprilia in Scuderia AGV.
Final Championship position: 9th with 111 points - 1 victory: Czech Republic.

1997: Second youngest ever 125cc Champion riding an Aprilia for the Nastro Azzurro Team.
Final Championship position: 1st with 321 points - 11 wins: Malaysia, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Imola, Germany, Brazil, Great Britain, Catalunya and Indonesia. 1998: Moves up to 250cc class riding an Aprilia for the Nastro Azzurro Team. Final Championship position: 2nd with 201 points - 5 wins: Netherlands, Imola, Catalunya, Australia and Argentina.

1999: Becomes the youngest ever 250 World Champion riding for the Aprilia Grand Prix Racing.
Final Championship position: 1st with 309 points - 9 wins: Spain, Italy, Catalunya, Great Britain, Germany, Czech Republic, Australia, South Africa and Brazil.

2000: Moves up to the 500cc class riding a Honda for the Nastro Azzuro Team. Final Championship position: 2nd with 209 points - 2 wins: Great Britain and Brazil

2001: Takes the 500cc World Championship riding a Honda for the Nastro Azzuro Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 325 points. - 11 wins: Japan, South Africa, Spain, Catalunya, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Portugal, Pacific, Australia, Malaysia and Brazil.

2002: Wins revised format MotoGP World Championship riding all-new four stroke Honda RC211V for the Repsol Honda Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 355 points -11 wins: Japan, Spain, France, Catalunya, Italy, Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, Portugal, Brazil and Australia.

2003: Wins his second MotoGP World Championship for the Repsol Honda Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 357 points – 9 wins: Japan, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Portugal, Rio, Malaysia, Australia and Valencia.

2004: Moves to Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha and wins the MotoGP World Championship. Championship position: 1st with 304 points - 9 wins: South Africa, Italy, Catalunya, Netherlands, Great Britain, Portugal, Malaysia, Australia and Valencia.

2005: Wins the second MotoGP World Championship for the Gauloises Yamaha Team. Championship position: 1st with 281 points - 9 wins: Spain, China, France, Italy, Catalunya, Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, Czech Republic.