SEPANG, Malaysia (AFP) - Spain's Maverick Vinales stormed to a dominant victory in the Malaysian MotoGP Sunday as world champion Marc Marquez fought his way from near the back of the starting grid to finish second.
Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso came in third but there was disappointment for French rookie Fabio Quartararo, who only managed a lacklustre seventh-place after starting from pole.
Vinales's second win of the season was a major boost following last week's Australian MotoGP, where he crashed out after leading for much of the race -- and compatriot Marquez went on to win.
The Monster Energy Yamaha rider said the victory felt "amazing" after his disappointing performance in Phillip Island.
"In Phillip Island, I felt like I had the victory in my hands but I made a mistake and I crashed," he told reporters at the Sepang circuit following the penultimate race of the season.
"Here all weekend I've been very consistent. I knew if I got first place I had a chance to push, push and push."
The 24-year-old surged into an early lead at Sepang after starting second on the grid and never looked threatened.
By the halfway mark, he had opened up a two second lead over second-placed Marquez, and was over three seconds ahead of him when he crossed the finish line.