Rossi has won seven bike titles across all classes

The Italian, who only qualified seventh at Sepang, caught and passed everyone except winner Loris Capirossi to give himself a decisive MotoGP lead.

Rossi joins compatriot Giacomo Agostini and Australian Mick Doohan as the only riders to have won the premier class of Grand Prix bike racing five times.

He has 281 points, 122 more than Max Biaggi in second, with four races left.

Spaniard Carlos Checa took third place in Malaysia, giving Ducati two places on the podium.

Capirossi played a cat-and-mouse game with me in three corners - I said to him: 'See you the next time' Valentino Rossi

But the day belonged to jubilant Rossi, who said winning had not been easy.

"Last year was more of a surprise," said the 26-year-old.

"This year, all the other riders want to beat me and try 100%.

"Capirossi played a cat-and-mouse game with me in three corners. I said to him: 'See you the next time'.

ROSSI FACT FILE Born: 16/02/1979 Nationality: Italian Nickname: The Doctor GP starts (all classes): 153 GP wins: 77

"Anyway, I am a world champion for the seventh time."

Rossi won the 125cc title in 1997, the 250cc crown in 1999 and was the last 500cc champion in 2001 with Honda.

He won his first two MotoGP titles with Honda before switching to Yamaha and winning the title at first attempt on a previously-uncompetitive bike.

"I put the number seven on my t-shirt because this is the number of my titles but also because it was the number of Barry Sheene, who was a great hero of mine and a truly great racer," said Rossi sporting new attire.

Rossi really is a motorsport legend, to win five titles in a row is an amazing achievement From C Have your say on Five Live

His seventh title in all classes equals Phil Read and John Surtees with only Agostini (15), Angel Nieto (13), Mike Hailwood and Carlo Ubbiali (both nine) having won more.

Rossi has won 51 of 93 races since he moved up from 250cc in 2000, but his contract with Yamaha expires in 2007 and there is talk of a move to Formula One giant Ferrari.

Malaysian GP result:
1. Loris Capirossi (Ita) Ducati 43:27.523
2. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 43:29.522
3. Carlos Checa (Spn) Ducati 43:29.592
4. Nicky Hayden (US) Honda 43:36.750
5. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda 43:43.409
6. Max Biaggi (Ita) Honda 43:44.349
7. Kenny Roberts Jr (US) Suzuki 43:44.772
8. Alex Barros (Bra) Honda 43:45.744
9. John Hopkins (US) Suzuki 43:47.648
10. Colin Edwards (US) Yamaha 43:49.798

Championship standings:
1. Valentino Rossi 281
2. Max Biaggi 159
3. Loris Capirossi 142
4. Colin Edwards 139
5. Marco Melandri 137
6. Nicky Hayden 134
7. Alex Barros 122
8. Sete Gibernau 115
9. Carlos Checa 88
10. Shinya Nakano 69