SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT has always been the venue where championships are won or lost. And the demanding circuit has been the scene of numerous championship battles in all three classes; Moto 3, Moto 2 and MotoGP.
The advent of Covid-19 put the brakes on all the flyaway races in Asia and Australia and the iconic Sepang Circuit was bereft of the sound and fury of MotoGP bikes for two long years.
Fast forward to the present and the MotoGP circus is back in Sepang. The sights and sounds of the circus has brought back the crowds and even Friday practice was crowded, which was not a usual sight. It seems the deprivation of the last two years needed to be satiated.
The last one in 2019 saw 170,778 spectators throng the venue.
This 2022 edition also sees the premier MotoGP and Moto 2 championships on the line. Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) has his first chance to clinch the coveted crown with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) aiming to deny him that chance and to bring the title fight down to the last race in Valencia, Spain.
Saturday practice and qualifying saw all of them ironically falling off at the same Turn 8 at various stages and ending up 9th, 12th and 10th respectively. It will be an interesting race today with unpredictable weather being forecast.
Many of the riders also have other things on their minds besides the race. Some of them just miss coming to Sepang itself.
MotoGP commentator Simon Crafar for instance misses the excellent diverse range of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine fare available.
Moto 3's John McPhee of Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing Team said, "Its fantastic and such a nice place. It feels like a home race for me as was riding for Petronas for 3 years. Its absolutely amazing to be back and I'm really enjoying myself in front of all the Malaysian fans".
"It's really nice to be back here. I really enjoy the Malaysian life way. The fans are great, I like the track, and everything about it," said Inde Gas Gas Aspar Team's Jake Dixon who rides in Moto 2.
MotoGP's Alex Rins from Suzuki Ecstar Team echoes the sensation. "The circuit and atmosphere feels amazing because I really like this place".