alentino Rossi will start the final race of the MotoGP season from the back of the grid and with a narrow championship lead after a dramatic Malaysian Grand Prix.
Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) led from start to finish at Sepang to finish 3.6 seconds ahead of Jorge Lorenzo, who closed to within seven points of championship rival Rossi, who was third.
However, Pedrosa's 51st victory was overshadowed by an incredible clash between Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) that saw the latter crash out and resulted in Rossi being awarded three penalty points.
That means the 36-year-old Italian will start the Valencia GP on 8 November from the back of the grid as he seeks a 10th world title.
Rossi, who has accused Marquez of trying to help his fellow Spaniard Lorenzo win the title, appeared to kick Marquez as the pair battled for third place on lap seven.
Marquez crashed as a result and was forced to retire, with Rossi subsequently penalised after the incident was reviewed by race officials.
In quotes reported by www.motogp.com, Rossi said: "Unfortunately I lose a lot of time with Marc and in turn 14 I tried to go wide to get a better line to make him slow because he just rides to cause me some problems.
"Unfortunately he came to me and I think he crashed in that moment. It's a shame because I think that in a normal race we can stay and fight with Jorge and we lost some more points. In Valencia will be more difficult."
Britain's Bradley Smith was fourth on his Monster Yamaha ahead of compatriot Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda).
