Valentino Rossi made a nervy start to his bid to secure the MotoGP world title this weekend in Sepang after a below-par display in qualifying.
The Italian will start tomorrow's Malaysian Grand Prix from the third row after qualifying seventh fastest, but the consolation for the defending world champion was to be found in the performance of Max Biaggi.
Providing Rossi, on the Gauloises Yamaha, finishes within 12 points of his compatriot in the race, the title will be his, and Biaggi, riding for Repsol Honda, was even further off the pace in 12th place.
Taking pole for the second successive week was another Italian, Loris Capirossi.
The Ducati Marlboro rider posted two minutes 1.731 seconds, putting him ahead of Movistar Honda's Spaniard Sete Gibernau and third-placed American John Hopkins, of Team Suzuki.
