“I’m really happy,” smiles the Dutchman. “Obviously I went to Aragon to replace Valentino and then he rode the bike – which is still incredible – and then a couple of weeks later I finally get this opportunity. It’ll be interesting, and amazing to ride a MotoGP bike for the first time.”

There are a number of key differences between the R1 in World Superbike and the M1 ‘Magic Michael’ will be riding at Sepang – with tyres and brakes sure to prove two of the biggest changes to adapt to. But the Dutchman has a succinct goal for the weekend: progress.

“There’s a lot to learn during the weekend and it’s difficult to say what I expect,” says the Yamaha rider.

“But I hope to enjoy the weekend and improve in every session. That’s my main goal. If I’ve done that, by the end of the weekend I can be happy.”

Despite initially hoping to race at Sepang, Aleix Espargaró will be forced to miss the Malaysian GP following the injury he suffered at Phillip Island.

The Spanish rider, who fell in the race as he was battling in the lead group, suffered a fracture to the fourth metacarpus of the left hand and he will undergo surgery on Thursday in Barcelona.

The goal is to recover in time for the last race of the season in Valencia, where Espargaró will set his sights on finishing an unquestionably positive season in the best possible way.

Aprilia Racing Team Gresini will not field a replacement in the Malaysian GP.

"The idea after the injury was to avoid surgery and to try to race here in Malaysia." Commented Espargaro "Unfortunately, the situation is forcing me to go back home for surgery so that I will be able to fully recover for Valencia."

"In agreement with Dr. Mir, we agreed to have the surgery done on Thursday in Barcelona."

"It was an unfortunate crash, but I am already focused on the last race of the season where I want to demonstrate the level that the Aprilia RS-GP and I have reached." He added

source: motogp.com

“My plan was to push with five laps to go,” says Viñales. “I was planning where to overtake Johann. But I had some contact with Andrea, I was back in the group and needed some time to recover."

"I started to overtake the other riders fast and, honestly, I was quite far back from where I needed to be in the last corner, but the bike accelerated really well and I even thought I could pass Valentino. In the end he was a bit too far ahead, but I‘m still really happy.”

Although now mathematically out of the title fight with two rounds to go, the Australian GP did see both Yamahas once again back at the front – something that gives Viñales heart ahead of the trip to Sepang.

“It’s the first race in the second half of the season where I’ve felt really strong,” explains the Spaniard.

“And in Warm Up in the wet it was better. We improved the traction a lot, and if not I wouldn’t have been able to get on the podium."

"There are a lot of positives to take from this weekend, especially on the soft tyre. The championship challenge is gone, this is not good news, but we already knew all season it was going to be difficult, especially during the second part. We have to try to be strong, as always, and try to be on the podium again in Malaysia.”

Now the Movistar Yamaha crew will compare their preseason efforts in testing at the venue to where they are now, and push to fight at the front at first Sepang and then Valencia.

source: motogp.com

LCR Honda riser Cal Crutchlow was one of the fighters at the front at Phillip Island, and the 2016 winner at the track was able to take a top five finish and beat Andrea Iannone to the line out the final corner.

The Brit was happy with the result despite missing the podium, after a big crash in Warm Up.

“It was a good race,” says Crutchlow. “Obviously I would have preferred to have repeated the performance from last year or be on the podium, but I felt good in the race."

"Not the best because I didn’t know if I was even going to race after a hard fall this morning. I didn’t feel great. Normally I’m the guy who will get up from a crash and I did that this morning, maybe I shouldn’t have!”

But the LCR Honda rider fought on in style, saying that’s what it all about…

“This is what MotoGP is all about. We all enjoyed the race, it was a great spectacle for the fans and an enjoyable race for everyone.”

source: motogp.com