Wednesday, 19 October 2011 11:34 by rm

Today wasn't the greatest of days in Malaysia. The weather was pretty awful, preventing any trips to Kuala Lumpur, or even a dip in the pool.

This left Marco Simoncelli to do what everyone else does when it rains: play cards.

“I left Phillip Island, a circuit and place I really love, feeling very happy - the Italian recalled - I had another good race and finished second after another wonderful battle with Dovizioso, which gave me a lot of satisfaction. I had been second for the whole race so to see Andrea standing on the second step of the podium would have been hard to take. I celebrated it with my team, but I already had my mind on Malaysia. I never managed to win at Sepang in the 250cc category but I was on the podium there for my last two seasons in the intermediate class and in testing there last winter, I was really on the pace. I am sure I can do a good job this weekend. There is no reason why we can't be fighting for the podium, the top step would be even better of course, and that’s what we will be striving for in the Malaysian Grand Prix.”

Below is our exclusive and extremely formal interview with Super Sic, from his room in the Hotel pan Pacific.