With Marquez odds on to secure his second world title in Japan, the major surprise in qualifying was Dovi on the Ducati topping the timing sheets! Could he get that elusive win? You had to think not, especially as Rossi looked in hot form and took the lead when the lights went off. Maybe that bang on the head did him some good after all...
Marquez and Rossi put on a show for the crowds
Rossi was the only man who could deny Marquez his title in Japan and you could only imagine the frustration in the Honda Racing camp as Valentino continued to lead the field. However after a few laps to warm his tyres up, Marc was starting to pick off the Ducatis that stood between him and the Yamahas ahead. There again, if Lorenzo were to overtake Rossi, Marc would secure the title if he finished second, so not all was lost for Honda and they were smiling with 19 laps to go when Jorge took the lead. And a few laps later the smiles were even wider when Marc overtook Dovi. Could Marc also catch The Doctor?
You have to hand it to Rossi and Marquez, they certainly don't mind giving the fans a show and with nine laps to go the old master refused to give up his place to the young gun. How much longer could he hold out? The answer was about half a lap as Marc slipped past and you just knew he would make the break this time.
Second in the race enough for a second title!
Sure enough, Lorenzo took the win, Marquez second and Rossi third. World title number two for Marc and some very happy chaps in the Honda Racing Corporation.
The Moto2 race saw Luthi make a break for the win with Vinales behind and Rabat in third. Sam Lowes crashed out while challenging for a top ten place, Rea got a good 14th spot and Rabat extend his championship lead.
Moto3 and the sight of two Brits on the front row was certainly a special thing, hopefully Kent and McPhee could continue their qualifying form to the race. From the start Kent took the lead, followed by championship contenders Miller and Marquez with McPhee just behind. A cracking race for Brit fans saw both McPhee and Kent finish in the top six, although sadly not on the podium after Kent was a bit keen on the last lap, running himself and Miller wide when they were battling for the win.
MotoGP
1. Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)
2. Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)
3. Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)
Moto2
1. Luthi (Interwetten Sitag)
2. Vinales (Paginas Amarillas HP40)
3. Rabat (Marc VDS Racing Team)
Moto3
1: Marquez (Estrella Galicia 0,0)
2: Vazquez (SaxoPrint-RTG)
3: Binder (Ambrogio Racing)
Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - DNF
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 9
Michael Laverty (MotoGP) - 19
Scott Redding (MotoGP) - 17
Sam Lowes (Moto2) - DNF
Gino Rea - (Moto2) - 14
John McPhee (Moto3) -4
Danny Kent (Moto3) -6