Valentino Rossi is ready to take his first "match point" and seal the FIM MotoGP World Championship this weekend in Sepang.

The 30-year-old is on the brink of claiming his seventh premier class Grand Prix title and ninth overall after finishing second in Australia last weekend. His young Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo crashed out at the first corner in Phillip Island to leave Rossi with a huge 38-point lead at the top of the standings with just two races remaining.

"Phillip Island was like gold dust for us in terms of points and now we go to Malaysia, another of my favourite tracks, with our first 'match point'," said Rossi. "Of course anything can happen but it's a great track for me and generally the Yamaha works well there, so we have a good chance."

He continued: "We worked brilliantly in Australia and we know that if we can do the same at Sepang then we can have another good weekend.

"There is no chance to relax - everyone is focused, motivated and excited now that we are at this stage and our number one target for the weekend is to try to close out the championship.

"We will do our best and see where we are on Sunday night."

Rossi has enjoyed another remarkable season, moving past 100 race wins in all classes, and 22-year-old Lorenzo has conceded that he may have to wait at least another 12 months to end the Italian's reign at the top.

Lorenzo said: "After the disappointment in Australia I am glad to have the chance to be back on the bike so soon. I am not hurt and I will be in good shape to race.

"We don't think about the championship now; my target is to confirm second place in the championship and, in just my second season in MotoGP, I think that this is a great achievement and I will be happy if I can do it."

Marlboro Ducati rider Casey Stoner will also be gunning for a win after his fine victory on home soil last weekend, while British rider James Toseland begins his penultimate race in the series before returning to World Superbikes next year.