MotoGP points leader Marc Marquez wasn’t prepared to risk try to catch and pass Johann Zarco for third place in today’s Sepang MotoGP as it would only have netted him three extra points against Andrea Dovizoso’s 25 for the win.

Marquez had no reply to either Dovizioso or team-mate Jorge Lorenzo in today’s wet race, but also decided discretion was the better part of valour and didn’t go after Yamaha’s Zarco for the final podium spot as it was just too risky.

“I felt really good after the race because it was like the worst conditions I could have had today. It was wet, so slippery the track and so difficult to find the limit because it was so easy to find a mistake,” said Marquez, speaking at Sepang.

“But anyway I tried. I started the race quite aggressive on the start. But I realised both Ducatis were faster than me and when I was catching Zarco I was taking some risks. Then I was thinking on the bike that it is more or less the same to arrive at Valencia 24 points or 21 points.

“So I decided to stay in fourth. Something that was so important in this race was to try and be calm all of the laps, not to be rash, try and find my rhythm, and I already said on Thursday it’s a race to try and find a way to arrive in Valencia with better options.”