In overcast conditions at Motegi’s Twin Ring circuit, Honda’s Dani Pedrosa rode a perfect race to win the Japanese Moto GP last Sunday. Jorge Lorenzo finished in second spot while a lucky recovery secured the final podium position for Australian, Casey Stoner.

Stoner, who started on pole for a record 10th time dashed away from the starting line and looked like he was going to blitz the race until a front-wheel brake failure into a corner caused him to run into the gravel on the fourth lap. He rejoined the race in seventh position and worked himself back into third. Not so lucky Valentino Rossi crashed in the first of several bad slips and spills that caused chaos with riders.

With three races remaining in the calendar Stoner will have to wait until his home town Australian Moto GP at Phillip Island on October 16 to have a go at clinching the Championship title by gaining enough points to put the challengers to rest.