Petronas Yamaha SRT's Italian rider Franco Morbidelli celebrates on the podium after winning the MotoGP race during the Valencia Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia on November 15,2020. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/ AFP)
PETALING JAYA: Petronas Sepang Team rider Franco Morbidelli still has a lot to fight for in the final round of the MotoGP world championship in Portugal this weekend.
The Italian will be eager to end the season with another good result as he also bids to become the runner-up in the championship standings. And there is also the 2020 Independent Rider honours at stake.
The Portugal Grand Prix returns to the calendar and will host the season finale at the new Algarve International Circuit in Portimao.
Fresh from winning his third race of the season in Valencia last weekend, the Yamaha rider is now second in the championship standings with 142 points and heads the Independent Rider standings with a 17-point lead over teammate Fabio Quartararo.Morbidelli is eager to continue with his good form this weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to racing in Portugal.
“I’ve rode there earlier in a test before the French Grand Prix.
“It’s a really nice place, close to the sea and the track is very different to most of the ones we normally visit.
“It’s a bit like a roller coaster as there are many steep hills.
“A tricky circuit, so it’s a really nice challenge to end the season.
“It’s great to be heading into this last race having won in Valencia. I hope we can have a good battle like we did last time out.
“Hopefully, we can have a really good final race of the year.
“It would be a nice way to reward the team for all their hard work, ” said Morbidelli, who will ride alongside Italian teammate Valentino Rossi next year.
