A topsey turvey weekend of racing in Japan threw yet another potential cog in the championship wheel. One day of practice cancelled, a wet qualifying and a dry race, not exactly the relaxed build up that Marc Marquez was hoping for. Add into that a track that required the use of enormous 340mm discs due to its stop/start nature and Japan promised a few surprises...
The Repsol Honda boys can't be separated!
Eighteen points ahead, Marc just needed eight points advantage on Jorge to take the title in Honda's back yard however from the start Marc found himself in third behind Jorge and Rossi.
A strong opening lap saw Jorge take the advantage before a mistake by Rossi let Marc through into second. Could Marc hunt down Lorenzo? And what was going on with Rossi, who ran off the track for a second time in two laps.
After just three laps the pattern was set as the usual suspects of Marc, Dani and Lorenzo broke clear of the field. With Marc able to take the title, you had to wonder if when push comes to shove would Dani help out his team mate with a championship at stake?
Lorenzo's win takes Marquez's lead to 13 points
With 12 to go Lorenzo was effectively fighting for the title as both Hondas were right on his tail. If the Repsol riders made it past then it would be game over for the Yamaha rider's hopes of a third world title. But fair play to Lorenzo, he is as hard as nails and dug deep enough to shake Dani off his tail, although Marc was still superglued in place and looking a bit wild...
Seven laps left and with Marc missing more apexes than a first time club racer and Lorenzo silky smooth, it looked like the race was over. Sure enough Lorenzo took the win, Marc second and Dani third. So we go to Valencia with Marc holding just a 13-point advantage...
Espargaro took the Moto2 title in Japan
Moto2 and once again cruel luck stamped on any hope of Brit Scott Redding taking the title. Involved in a horrific crash on the first corner, Scott was ruled out of the race and when Pol Espargaro took the win he also took the Moto2 title. Fair play to Pol, he rode a superb second half to the season and deserved the silverware, but how much longer will us Brits have to wait for a top class world title? Never mind, MotoGP is waiting for you next year Scott.
Moto3 and with Salom close to taking the title, he crashed out of the race, remounted, rode like a nutter and then crashed again! With the chance of making up a few points, title challenger Rins pulled fought his way to third, only to crash out too. The title will now go down to Valencia with Salom, Rins and now Vinales all in with a shout. It's going to be carnage, set you recorder now! A quick mention must go to Brit John McPhee, who took seventh place, a great result.
MotoGP
1. Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing)
2. Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)
3. Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team)
Moto2
1. Espargaro (Tuenti HP 40)
2. Kallio (Marc VDS Racing Team)
3. Luthi (Interwetten Paddock Moto 2)
Moto3
1: Marquez (Estrella Galicia 0,0)
2: Vinales (Team Calvo)
3: Folger (Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3)
Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - 7
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 8
Michael Laverty (MotoGP - CRT) - 19
Scott Redding (Moto2) - DNS
Danny Kent (Moto2) - DNS
Gino Rea - (Moto2) - 14
John McPhee (Moto3) - 7