With more th♛an twice the points of his nearest privateer rival, Aleix Espargaro is on verge of defending his CRT-class MotoGP crown.

The Aspar Aprilia rider has been the top privateer in all but two rounds this year, scoring a total of 76 points - compared with 31 for next best C♎olin Edwards, the rider Espargaro is rumoured to b𓃲e partnering at Forward Racing Yamaha next season.

Despite his huge lead, with four rounds and a potential 100🃏 points remainin🗹g, Espargaro may need to wait until at least Phillip Island before mathematically deciding the CRT crown.

But in reality no privateer has scored more than eight points per race so far this year, mea♑ning only a disaster can deprive him of tꩵhe title.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's M๊alaysian round at Sepang, Espargaro said:

"Sepang is possibly the hardest ofᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ the three [flyaway] races because of the heat but I still♕ love the circuit and it is a lot of fun to ride.

"I suppose we will struggle down the long straights compared to the other bikes, but I am looking forward to getting started and maybe if resul🔴ts go to form we can look forward to be𓆉ing crowned CRT champions in Australia.

"That is what we will be working towards."

Phillip Island is the second of the flyway events, followed by Japan and then the season finale at Valencia𝐆.

The privateer 'Claiming Rule' is being dropped for 2014, when MotoGP entries will simply be♑ either factory ღor non-factory.