Andrea Dovizioso wins Malaysian Moto GP

SEPANG, Malaysia (AP) – Andrea Dovizioso won Sunday’s Malaysian MotoGP to keep alive his slim chance of winning his first world championship and ensuring this year’s title race will come down to the last round of the year.

The Italian won his sixth race this season to narrow the gap to championship leader Marc Marquez to 21 points with only the Valencia Grand Prix on November 12 to come.

After crashing heavily in practice, Marquez took no risks on a wet Sepang circuit, crossing the line fourth to remain in a commanding position to clinch his fourth world title in five seasons.

The only way the 24-year-old Spaniard can lose the championship is if Dovizioso wins in Valencia and Marquez finishes outside the top 11 on his Honda.

Dovizioso’s Ducati team mate Dani Pedrosa finished second on Sunday after starting from pole posiiton and leading until the last four laps while France’s Johann Zarco was third for just his second podium finish of the season.

Italy’s Franco Morbidelli wrapped up his first Moto2 title when his lone remaining challenger for the championship, Switzerland’s Thomas Luthi, was ruled out of Sunday’s race after breaking his ankle in qualifying.

With an unassailable lead and light rain falling on the track, Morbidelli cruised across the line in third place, behind Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira_who won his first race in Australia last week, and South Africa’s Brad Binder.

Spain’s Joan Mir, who clinched the Moto3 crown in Australia, won his 10th race of the season in Malaysia.

Italy’s MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso, front left, and Spain’s MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo, right, second place, celebrates with their crew members after winning the Malaysia MotoGP at the Sepang International circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Italy’s Franco Morbidelli celebrates after becoming this year’s world champion after the race of the Malaysia Moto2 at the Sepang International circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira, right, steers his Ktm leading the packs during the race of the Malaysia Moto2 at the Sepang International circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Italy’s Moto2 rider Franco Morbidelli returning to pit after the race of the Malaysia Moto2 at the Sepang International circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Spain’s Moto3 rider Joan Mir celebrates after winning the Malaysia Moto3 race at the Sepang International circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)