Sepang, Malaysia - Valentino Rossi of Italy clinched a ninth career motorcycle world title on Sunday when he came third in the Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix. The popular Rossi, 30, required only a fourth-place finish to win another trophy ahead of the season finale in Spain and did so in style.
Australian Casey Stoner won the race for Ducati ahead of Spain's Dani Pedrosa, with Rossi following in third place. Title rival and Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo had to settle for fourth and can longer catch Rossi.
Rossi is the third best rider in motorcycle championship history with nine titles. Compatriot Giacomo Agostini and Angel Nieto of Spain lead the way with 15 trophies each.
Rossi has lifted the trophy in every category with a 125cc title in 1997, the 250cc in 1999, the 500cc in 2001 and six more since the 500 was replaced by the MotoGP category the following year. He has 103 race wins (six this season) and 163 podiums in 226 career races.
