Spain’s Dani Pedrosa clinched his third premier class victory in a row with a masterful performance in the wet at Sepang as the Repsol Honda clawed back more ground in the MotoGP title race at this 16th round of 18.

It was the first time ever that Pedrosa has won three MotoGP races on the trot and the gap to Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo at the top of the standings is now 23 points with two races remaining at Phillip Island and Valencia.

Pedrosa, who had a lead of almost 6.5 seconds when the race was stopped with seven laps remaining due to heavy tropical rain, was also celebrating his 44th Grand Prix success – a milestone that puts him level with Casey Stoner and Lorenzo in the all-time winners list.

The diminutive Spaniard hailed the victory as an “amazing” triumph – his first in the wet.

“This victory is really amazing for me; it’s the first time I’ve won in the wet in my life and I’m really, really happy,” said Pedrosa.

“I want to thank my team and the people who helped me to get here because when I started racing in these conditions I was weak and they know how difficult it’s been during all this time!

“Jorge set a really high pace at the beginning of the race and I remained calm to stay with him,” he added.

“I knew he was on a soft rear tyre and he could pull out some good laps at the start. Lap by lap I got a little more confident and I could still push and at half way in the race I overtook him and built a good gap.”

Pedrosa admitted he was fortunate to remain uptight in the treacherous conditions as he secured all 25 points to keep up his unrelenting pressure on title favourite Lorenzo.

“Some laps later the rain came down heavy and it was hard to stay on the bike,” he said.

“I was lucky to be able to win this race, and also Jorge to finish second because he was almost on the ground.

“So, I’m happy for the victory, but especially happy to be able to dedicate it to Ginés, a good friend and member of the Repsol Honda Team that sadly passed away yesterday. This one is for you!”

With Casey Stoner finishing on the rostrum in third, the Repsol Honda team has wrapped up the Team Championship with two rounds remaining.

Results from Sepang:

1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda (RC213V) 29m 29.049s
2. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) 29m 32.823s
3. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda (RC213V) 29m 36.193s
4. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Team (GP12) 29m 39.567s
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Team (GP12) 29m 45.808s
6. Alvaro Bautista ESP San Carlo Honda Gresini (RC213V) 29m 46.325s
7. Hector Barbera ESP Pramac Racing (GP12) 30m 19.331s
8. Aleix Espargaro ESP Power Electronics Aspar (ART CRT) 30m 20.634s
9. James Ellison GBR Paul Bird Motorsport (ART CRT) 30m 25.725s
10. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing (GP12) 30m 26.671s
11. Danilo Petrucci ITA Came IodaRacing (Suter-BMW CRT) 30m 31.854s
12. Michele Pirro ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini (FTR-Honda CRT) 30m 31.940s
13. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 30m 58.038s

DNF:
Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V)
Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)
Randy De Puniet FRA Power Electronics Aspar (ART CRT)
Ivan Silva ESP Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki CRT)
Colin Edwards USA NGM Forward Racing (Suter-BMW CRT)
Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1)

DSQ:
Roberto Rolfo* ITA Speed Master (ART CRT)

*Fell and did not return to the pits in time after the red flags.