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Valentino Rossi has set his sights on a podium place in this weekend's Malaysian GP, but the Yamaha rider knows compatriot Loris Capirossi will provide a considerable obstacle.

Rossi was runner up to his fellow Italian in last year's race at Sepang and it was a similar story in the latest edition of this season's championship in Brno, where Capirossi held off all challenges to win while Rossi beat Dani Pedrosa in the battle for second place.

Now however, on a course which he describes as one of his favourite tracks, Rossi is determined no one will stand in his way as he seeks to build on his latest performance and further cut down the gap between himself and present table-topper Nicky Hayden.

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The 27-year-old commented: "We made some really good progress in Brno so hopefully everything will work well from Friday morning and we can fight at the top all weekend.

"Last year Loris was incredibly strong in Sepang, similar to how he was two weeks ago in Brno and I am sure that this will be the case again this time!"

Rossi asserted that this and the two races after it will prove decisive in who wins the championship and though he admitted the strenuous schedule will be extremely testing, he cheerfully vowed to do the best he can.

The defending champion is currently third in the standings, 38 points behind Hayden, having taken four victories already this season in his pursuit of a sixth consecutive title.

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