Photo courtesy of MotoGP.com
The MotoGP world championship heads into the final stretch this weekend as riders and crew arrive in Motegi, Japan for Round #15 of the eighteen-round series. Following plenty of controversy leading up to the event, the Grand Prix of Japan takes place this coming weekend and all series regulars, with the exception of those injured, are expected to compete.
Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner leads the series ahead of defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo. Despite being 44 points down, Lorenzo will not give up, "Casey has won so many races and finished on the podium more than any other rider, so it's normal he has so many points. Maybe it's too late to fight with him for the Championship, but anyway there are still 4 races to go, 100 points to be taken, so you never know. You have to give everything and anything is possible. We must fight for the win in every race." explained the Yamaha rider.
San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Hiroshi Aoyama is excited for the series to return to his home track. According to the Japanese rider, "I want to say thanks to those who came here to race because it was, I think, a hard decision and it means a lot for Japanese motorcycle fans. Personally this is my home race and for sure it’s very important."
In an effort to bring a fantastic line-up to Japan, HRC test riders Shinishi Ito and Kousuki Akiyoshi will also race in Motegi. Ito will be a wild card entry in an HRC Team while Akiyoshi will ride alongside Elias for LCR Honda.
Damian Cudlin will replace Pramac rider Loris Capirossi, who is not able to race Motegi due to an injured shoulder.
Free practice sessions have already gotten underway in Japan, and Casey Stoner shows no signs of slowing as he leads the first free practice session with a time of 1:47:289, three tenths of a second quicker than his teammate, Andrea Dovizioso. Nicky Hayden rode to an impressive third place in Friday morning practice with a time of 1:47:732. Respol Honda's Dani Pedrosa was fourth, with a time was just over a half second off the leading time posted by Stoner, while Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo completed the top five with a time of 1’47.912.
