Pedrosa takes out Japanese MotoGP

DaniPedrosa-cropped

The Japanese MotoGP did not go according to script after Dani Pedrosa eclipsed world championship hopefuls Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi on Sunday.

Pole-setter Lorenzo and championship leader Rossi started from the front row and the Yamaha pair were expected to vie for top spot on the podium in Motegi.

However, Repsol Honda's Pedrosa had other ideas as he won for the first time this season after taking the lead with seven laps remaining.

Pedrosa finished 8.5 seconds ahead of Rossi, who extended his lead over Lorenzo to 18 points, after the latter placed third.

Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso rounded out the top five.
 

WHERE THE RACE WAS WON
Lorenzo was dominant throughout practice and qualifying despite Rossi's best efforts. The Spaniard set the done during the first half of the race but front tyre wear opened the door for Pedrosa, who capitalised and hit the front with seven laps remaining.

OFF TO A FLYER
Wet conditions were challenging but Lorenzo survived a tight first turn to stay ahead of Rossi, though both riders were eventually pegged back by Pedrosa, who was third after T3.

HOT LAP
Lorenzo clocked the fastest time on lap three with a time of one minute, 54.867 seconds.

RACE TO FORGET
Everything was set for Lorenzo to defend his Japanese crown but the race seemed to work against the two-time world champion. From pole and first place, Lorenzo watched helplessly as Pedrosa snatched the lead with seven laps to go. It then got worse as Lorenzo ran wide on T3, handing second position to Rossi shortly after.

RACE STAT TO REMEMBER
This was Pedrosa's first win of 2015 and the 50th of his career.


IN THE POINTS
1. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) 46:50.767
2. Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) +8.573
3. Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha) +12.127
4. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) +27.841
5. Andrea Doviziosa (Ducati) +35.085
6. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) +37.263
7. Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) +37.667
8. Katsuyuki Nakasuga (Yamaha Factory Racing) +44.654
9, Hector Barbera (Avintia Racing) +48.572
10. Scott Redding (EG Marc VDS) +50.121

TITLE STANDINGS
Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) 283 points
Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha) 265
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) 197
Andrea Iannone (Ducati) 172
Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) 154

NEXT UP
Rossi and Lorenzo have the chance to regroup and return to winning ways when the MotoGP heads to Phillip Island in Australia on October 18.

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