SEPANG, Malaysia: Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo, poised to claim his maiden MotoGP world championship crown, vowed Thursday to go “full throttle” for a win in the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend. The 23-year-old Spanish rider is in a commanding position with a 69-point lead over compatriot and only title rival Dani Pedrosa, missing from the race at the Sepang circuit, and needs only a moderate showing to seal the title. But despite having the championship all but locked up, Lorenzo said he would race in his usual aggressive style. “I will go full throttle, full throttle,” he said with a smile when asked whether he will go all-out for the win despite Pedrosa's absence. Pedrosa's Honda team confirmed that he would be missing from the race while he recovers from surgery on his collarbone, meaning Lorenzo needs only a ninth-placed finish to fulfill his burning ambition. “It has been confirmed that Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa will not take part in this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix,” the team said in a statement. Lorenzo said Sunday's race could cap a special weekend for his team and family. “I am excited but I know I have to concentrate on the race. I hope bad luck will not come my way here,” he told a pre-race press conference. Lorenzo is a fan of the fast and flowing Sepang track, where he clinched his second 250cc title in 2007. “I would like to race in confidence and speed. I always like to enjoy the race. It is an important race in my life,” he said. Last year at Sepang he started from the back of the grid but charged through the field to finish fourth. Pedrosa broke his left collarbone at Motegi, Japan, last week after losing control of his bike and underwent surgery in Barcelona Saturday. After the successful operation, there was a slim chance the Spaniard would be fit to make the journey from Barcelona to Malaysia and attempt to take part in this weekend's MotoGP race. “However, after careful consideration, Pedrosa has made the understandable decision to stay at home to continue his recovery,” his team said. The target for his return remains the Australian Grand Prix, practice for which begins on Oct. 15. In Pedrosa's absence, the Repsol Honda Team will not field a replacement rider this weekend, and so Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) will fly the flag alone for the factory Honda squad in Malaysia. Lorenzo has amassed 297 points with four races to go while second-ranked Pedrosa has 228 points. Pedrosa is the only rider with a mathematical chance of derailing Lorenzo's march to the title. “The most important thing is to win the title. Of course I want to win the race,” Lorenzo said. Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi Thursday said he hopes to compete in the remaining three MotoGP races after the Malaysian Grand Prix despite his injured shoulder. Rossi suffered the shoulder injury in a motocross accident in April. He also broke his leg in June. “For sure I will go to Australia. If I have no (shoulder) pain I will finish the season,” the 31-year-old racer told reporters ahead of Sunday's Malaysian MotoGP, amid speculation that he will miss some of the three remaining races after Malaysia. Rossi, a Yamaha rider, who is fifth in overall standings is determined to put on a stong display at his favourite Sepang track. The race in Motegi saw a resurgent Rossi back on the podium after the close-fought battle with his teammate Jorge Lorenzo in the final lap. “I love to battle in the last lap,” Rossi said, adding that “I can't wait for tomorrow (the first free practice). This track is fast. I have won a lot of victories in this track.” Rossi has a tremendous record in Malaysia. Last year he clinched the MotoGP world title at Sepang by finishing third after starting from pole. The first free practice is Friday and the race will be held Sunday.
