Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo romped to victory in the Japanese MotoGP at Motegi ahead of team-mate Valentino Rossi and in doing so, takes over the lead in the world championships.
Rossi, who started from pole position after a washed-out qualifying session, led for the first third of the race before the Spaniard passed him. After that, Rossi had to concentrate on holding off another Spaniard, Dani Pedrosa.
Casey Stoner, who won the opening race of the season in Qatar, finished fourth ahead of Andrea Dovizioso.
1 J Lorenzo (Spa) Fiat Yamaha
2 V Rossi (Ita) Fiat Yamaha
3 D Pedrosa (Spa) Repsol Honda
4 C Stoner (Aus) Ducati
5 A Dovizioso (It) Honda
6 M Melandri (Ita) Kawasaki
7 L Capirossi (Ita) Suzuki
8 M Kallio (Fin) Ducati
9 J Toseland (GB) Yamaha
10 C Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki
11 R de Puniet (Fra) Honda
12 C Edwards (USA) Yamaha
13 A de Angelis (Smr) Honda
14 N Canepa (Ita) Ducati
15 T Elias (Spa) Honda
World Championship standings:
1 J Lorenzo (Spa) Fiat Yamaha 41 points
2 V Rossi (Ita) Fiat Yamaha 40
3 C Stoner (Aus) Ducati 38
4 A Dovizioso (Ita) Repsol Honda 22
5 D Pedrosa (Spa) Repsol Honda 21
6 C Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 17
7 M Kallio (Fin) Pramac Racing 16
8 C Vermeulen (Aus) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 15
9 A de Angelis (SM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 13
10 M Melandri (Ita) Hayate Racing Team 12