Maverick Vinales topped the timesheets at the end of MotoGP free practice three at Sepang.
The Suzuki Ecstar rider set his fast lap with just over five minutes of the final practice session to run, and was unable to be toppled as the pack battled to score a top 10 position to guarantee their spot in qualifying two.
After yesterday’s second session was affected by damp weather, it was hot, dry and humid today at the Malaysian track. New champ Marc Marquez had held the fastest lap overnight despite sitting out of yesterday afternoon with gastroenteritis with a time he’d set in free practice one.
Valentino Rossi hit the top around 20 minutes in to the session, closely followed by Movistar Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo who slotted in to second.
Marquez, who had completed his first run ,was spotted in the garage talking with a circuit medic following his withdrawal from FP2 yesterday sparking concerns he was struggling.
Several minutes later, it was Rossi’s team-mate-to-be Vinales who climbed to the top, holding it for around 10 minutes before it all began to change.
Lorenzo was the first to dip into the 2’00s with just over 12 minutes to run but his run at the top lasted just a few seconds as Marquez crossed the line even quicker with a 2’00.584.
With eight minutes left, the second Suzuki Ecstar of Aleix Espargaro went fastest, only to be deposed a few minutes later by Vinales who set a 1’59.947.
It was a time which no-one was able to challenge and the Spaniard remained the only rider to hit the 1’59s, despite the best efforts from the rest of the pack who were now concentrating on getting into the top 10.
Last weekend’s race winner Cal Crutchlow was desperate to climb up but his charge ended on his final lap as he crashed the LCR Honda at turn seven.
As the session ended, Vinales stayed on top with Marquez second. Lorenzo was third quickest, closely followed by Rossi.
The fastest Ducati was the Avintia Racing effort of Hector Barbera, who saw off a charge from the factory machine of Andrea Iannone in fifth and sixth, while Aleix Espargaro had to make do with seventh.
Andrea Dovizioso on the second Ducati Team machine was eighth ahead of Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Pol Espargaro as Alvaro Bautista stole the all-important 10th spot aboard his Aprilia Racing Team Gresini bike.
All of the Brits now face the scrap through qualifying one later, with Scott Redding fastest of the Brit boys in 11th. A vexed Crutchlow had to make do with 13th after his crash, with Bradley Smith 14th and Eugene Laverty 15th.