Round 15 - Japan MotoGP

COMMENTATOR: Everything in its path. A minute's silence for the victims

in Japan. Our thoughts are with them, and at the teams have shown

their respect with their stickers I took more time to make my

decision. I will not go there. have been saying it's more

important than the championships, I think. I will go to Japan to make

the race. There's a less chance of risk, and after thinking a lot of

mums, I made a decision I would go to Japan to race -- months. After

three months of will they weren't they, and fears of radiation levels,

I'm pleased to say the full complement of the ride his idea for

the re scheduled race in Japan. It's testament to a nation which

has shown so much dignity in disaster, but they were determined

all this to go ahead and for the You can see what it means to the

Japanese people to have MotoGP back here. We have a lone representative

at the from Japan for you to be here. That's true. We had a lot of

problems before coming here. But we had a lot of discussions and

finally everybody came here. And we have a race here. This is my home

race and a very special feeling for me. How important is that for the

company -- country to move on and have big sporting events here?

There's a lot of people still suffering and we had a lot of

support from other countries and a lot of people gave a support and

money, but some things we cannot fix by money. There's a lot of

people still suffering, so if we can bring MotoGP here, we can bring

positive energy, positive mentality. It means a lot for the Japanese

people. This is not just your home and raise but you have been put in

some good, consistent results together recently. -- home race.

Yes, I feel better in my physical condition. I broke my back and was

not easy to recover, but I'm feeling better. The feeling on the

bike is better. This is my home race. I hope I can get the best

result so far. All the best. Go and get ready now. Thank you very much.

We will lead you to it. Hiroshi Aoyama put some decent results

together recently. He's now a tenth in the championships overall. And

within striking distance of Colin Edwards, just three points ahead of

Andrea Dovizioso In third but Casey Stoner leads by 44 points thanks to

his 8th win of the season in Spain at two weeks ago. The arrogant

Valentino Rossi chase down in the pit lane, after Ducati broke the

the line. -- Other Side. That was enough for ninth place but up front,

another Casey Stoner masterclass. Casey Stoner on the back wheel. He

has smoked it. The defending champion at Jorge Lorenzo, it was

damage limitation. A vital podium Casey Stoner spoiling everyone spun

at the front but there was plenty of great racing behind him, Charlie.

He disappeared into the distance. There were few too many crashes.

think it has built up his confidence. He is building it up

for the end of the season. He sorted out Valentino Rossi in the

end. It's great to be in Japan. We heard from Hiroshi Aoyama earlier.

Its outstanding the job they had done on this track. It's amazing

what they have done to the surface. The grid is much better than it was,

but you wouldn't dream anything horrendous had happened here

earlier this year. Hopefully we can build the people's spirits up.

people at got to put it behind themselves but there are brave and

proud people. I think he retired at the years ago. 44, his racing age.

He's come here. I think he lost seven members of his family, and

his mother. A horrendous time for him. He has come here to show

everybody is doing what they can have for the country. He never

actually won a race. He's a legend. He's a hard at charge of. He's got

solar panels on his roof. He's the only man with electricity in his

house, and he took people in so watch out for him. Damien Cudlin

coming in for the injured Loris Capirossi. Yes, I think he was

passing and just thought he would pop in. He rode in a motorboat to

in Germany last year. He's not a youngster. He is tested the BMW

bike and has some experience but it is tough. He's got a big smile on

his face this week. Testing his bike for next year. Marco

Simoncelli will be on a factory Honda next year. That's good news

for everybody, isn't it? Yes, let's face it, he has not finished as

well as he should have done. Him with that sort of machine again,

yes. What does that mean for Andrea Dovizioso? At the moment, third in

the championships. It's a bit of a kick in the teeth for Andrea

Dovizioso. HRC said he did not achieve what you should have done.

He still does a play rider -- he still does not have a rider. Smiles

all round of Fort Marco Simoncelli, Damien Cudlin and Bradley Smith, he

signed a new deal which will see Homer continue next year but then

take the step up to MotoGP it in Congratulations, Bradley. At three-

year deal is pretty rare. You have the guarantee of MotoGP, as well.

You must be excited? It's the big time deal, to be honest. Tech three

have a lot more faith in me than I realised. It's a crazy situation to

be in. Having this opportunity to ride for the next three years, in

this regime, to ride next year, and Ben MotoGP afterwards, it's going

to be pretty cool. -- then the MotoGP afterwards balls-up it's not

been heard of but I am ready for the challenge. Tell me about the

relationship between the team because it you have got a three-

year deal, it must be going well. The nice thing is, you get the

chance to make their relationship. And build on its. I always think,

if you're going to go for a championship, you have got to are a

close-knit relationship. Everyone has got to know what everyone is

doing from the point of view of, the mechanics have got to know what

you mean, how you work, how you work as a person, because the world

championships is a big thing. It's not just the ride on the track but

everything inside the garage. It starts from the smallest detail and

being familiar with the people you work with his great. It's a nice

situation to be in. You were offered MotoGP next year. Why did

you not take it up? I was not ready. So badly in my heart, I wanted to

do go, but I wasn't ready. I don't have the experience. I'm not saying

I don't other talent right now, but I need to get a bit better results.

A sixth position is not a stepping stone into MotoGP. You have got to

win races. OK, I have had three this year, but I want to have more

wins and more trophies on my mantelpiece at home before I moved

to MotoGP. It must be a dream come true to know you have got that

guaranteed a place in the premier class? Yes, it's crazy to think I'm

going to be riding one of but four factory Yamaha's in at 2012, it's

one of those reasons to wake up in the morning and it definitely puts

a smile on my face, being inside the MotoGP garage, seeing

everybody's bikes, seeing how it comes together, it's something I

wanted to. But, you know, right now, I have got my 610 which wants to be

ridden and on the top steps. That is my aim at. It's good news for us

as well to they guarantee British rider in the premier class for the

next few years, so good luck with that. Thank you very much. Great

stuff. I think you get the impression Bradley has got an old

head on young shoulders. If you want to see how he got on the,

catch up on a BBC iPlayer for the rest of it. I have a team are boss

here. It's rare to see a deal over three years in any class but you

have a lot of faith in the talent and potential but be Smith?

Absolutely. I already said, I'd never commented myself -- committed

myself before such a long time -- Bradley Smith. We have a great

feeling would probably and the team. -- we have a great feeling with

Bradley and the team. There was a question over Motor GP and motor to.

-- two. There is a year to learn and a year to perform, so this is a

good deal. I have no fears committing three years with Bradley.

I really do believe in him. Yamaha is supporting that choice for I am

hoping to do great things with Bradley. One problem that creates

volume is Colin Edwards is leading up the end of the year. There is

only space available for one year, so what does it mean for Crutchlow?

When he read the release, he said, hey, boss, I'm going to get my visa

for Japan. I thought, why is he telling me that? He said, do I need

to find a job for 2013. I told him that was not the case. So what

means, you know, if he's doing well, which I hope, in at 12, we can have

both of them, a full British team with us and I hope that viewers

would enjoy that. We certainly are looking forward to that. Thank you.

Yamaha in the driving seat because they have two factory supported

bikes. One of the guys we were talking to two weeks ago is Bach

Easter and the other is Andrea Dovizioso. Baptista had problems at

the start, -- Baptiste de force of six plays in Indianapolis and then

sixth place again two weeks ago. -- sixth place. Impressive stuff from

the Spaniard and we had a good Yours season could not have got off

to a worse start with a broken leg in the first race. It must have

been a terrible time for you? course, because you never expect

injuries but in the first race, after the winter, it was a big

disappointment for me and the team. But, yes, these things can happen

in the race. The best thing to do in that moment was to try to

recover, but I work every day. I work very hard with the Doctor,

knife Visio, and I only missed two races -- my physiotherapist. After

more than 40 days, I jumped on the bike again. It was very quick, but

it was very hard for me and for my people. You took a few races to

build your confidence and speed back up and then at Bruno, you add

a crash. It was said it showed you were pushing again and you were

ready to become competitive once In this case, I crashed because I

was pushing my maximum. I pushed the maximum of the bike. We but

very close to the volume, so, it was not important, the crash was

not important, what was important was that before the crash we were

very competitive. A lot to be boat to not see that when you recover

from an injury, the recovery continues all season. -- a lot of

people do not see. Yes, when I come back to the racing, I was not 100 %,

I still have to work. Physically, mentally, your head is not very

clear. Not in that moment. Race after race, you work very hard, you

come back fit and your mind starts to be nervous. You have been

challenging for the top six in the last few races, you have a few

races this season, what result would make you happy between now

and Valencia? I would like to fight for a podium. I know which will be

difficult because there are three very fast riders. It is difficult.

But with this way of work, may be a week and do it. I will try my best

in every single race. I will try to get it, but for sure it will be

difficult. Would you like to stay with Suzuki next year? Good

question. I would like to write a new bike, I would like F Suzuki

made a new bike and I could ride it for them. I trust in them. I would

like to continue. But it depends on what they plan. Good luck with that

and with the rest of the season. Thank you.

A great guy, and a cracking hairdo! He is waiting to see if they make a

1,000 cc bike, but team manager is in discussions with Suzuki to see

if they will make an announcement in two weeks time. We are on the

track, it is like a bowling green, perfectly flat. One problem after

the earthquake was that this front part was rippled, you could see the

shadows on the rebels. They have resurfaced 70 % of it since that

putting the track back together. You would not know anything happens,

it is an amazing job. We had been coming here for many years, you

cannot forget one thing about this track. It might be big test track

for on that, but it was Yamaha that stole the thunder! -- it was the

test track for on that. -- Honda. The big angle! Look at that, down

the inside! He has tried to cut back! I have got a better drive

here. Look at that! 100 mph into this! At turn six! I am not letting

it drop! Lorenzo, hang on a minute. You're not true. I am trying to be

its rules. We should be turning in about hear. -- here. Back in front!

They are playing for keeps! Last important lap. Very close! Years

through! -- he is. I win the world Great stuff. I am glad you did not

attend though really at the end! The race is getting ready behind me,

let's see how they gap on yesterday. -- got on.

-- got on. All of the work to fix Motegi after

the damage did not go astray. It was a perfect session. Lorenzo

would not let Casey Stoner added his weight. Andrea Dovizioso was

ahead last year. Kousuke Akiyoshi has to deliver properly this week.

Edwards, a rare crash for him. Marco Simoncelli, a less rare crash

for him. Even Valentino Rossi overdid it. Lorenzo would not let

this drop. He had provisional pole, but only three minutes left. Casey

Stoner came back hard, charging through. Lorenzo will be delighted

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

to have split. Outstanding. This is So, Casey Stoner's first ever pole

position at Motegi but he had to work hard forehead after that lot

from your game Lorenzo. What are you like for a race pace? The race

is long, so we need a good start. I will try to stay with Casey Stoner

and tried to overtake him. Afterwards, to see what is going on

with the tyres, because we're using a new one. I do not know if we

would have grip in the middle of the contest. We do not have any

pressure, so we will try the maximum. Thank you. Good luck. What

are you listening to? Red Hot Chilli Peppers. That was a great

lap yesterday, you had to see it to believe it. He mentioned the tyres,

a bit of confusion here because the temperature is a bit lower because

of cloud cover, but the sun keeps coming out and when it comes out it

is red hot so the temperature shoots up, so this will not help

Ben Spies who has been struggling also with food poisoning, how we

see this morning? Better. We are a bit worried about this part of the

race. He had a good dinner. He had a good breakfast this morning. He

could do the race, and hopefully, he can keep consistent with his

pace. Did well to qualify in the second round. Well done. That is

fifth-place forehand. Lush for him. And not a good circuit are Yamaha,

it is the home track for Honda. Let's have a quick word with Cal

Crutchlow before he gets ready. Your first visit to this track, how

did you find it? It has done OK. Not too bad. A bit under the

weather this week, a bit of a cold. A bad chest. No, it's OK. We will

see how we go in the race. As long as we get away we should be OK in

the group and see what we can do. Good luck. He had a great ride at

arrogant two years ago. I nearly tripped over! Just one last rider

we went to have a quick word with before we go, this is Damian Cudlin.

Just getting his helmet on, up very quickly, a great feeling on the

MotoGP, how are you feeling? delighted to be here. I cannot

believe I'm actually about to raise Loris Capriossi's motorbike in AGP

race. I would just do the best I can. All the best. Thank you.

good reputation in the German Superbike and did one race on

MotoGP two last year. He has qualified within two seconds of his

team-mates on the other Ducati who is inside last year's poor record.

We're getting moved off the grid, so one more thing to tell you,

Karel Abraham has not here. He is being concussed after a crash in

practice. He has been ruled out because of injury. Casey Stoner

starts from pole position for the 10th time this season. He is in

great form and has been in pole gym in the last 12 races. He looks set

to take another step towards the title here today. How do you see

things Steve and Charlie? Steve is always concussed but he has turned

up for the broadcaster! Nice to see a fall grid. Hopefully it will be

extraordinary started, Steve. -- circuit. This is a drag race, stop-

go, stop-go. It is very much about going down to first year, up to

fifth and sixth gear, heartbreaking and hard acceleration. -- hired to

breaking. In qualifying yesterday, if we look at the grid scrolling

through, Valentino Rossi on the third row. One of the issues we

have got here, we will check the temperature in a moment, one of the

issues is the Ducati seems to go better when it's hotter in terms of

the grip. Today it's not very hot. No, it's not very hot, and we will

be interested to see what tyres people have used, if it has a wide

band around it, it has a soft compound and if not, it has a hard

compound. Everyone wanted to see what the track temperature would be.

Most people have gone for the harbour front, so that would be

expected because of the heavy braking. The highest break

temperatures we get all year round. A lot of the fuel to be used as

well, so maybe the Hondas might not be quite as fast. Weber have to die

back the mixture a little bit and will run a Lee Mears setting which

will not have things said. -- Weber have to dial back the mixture.

Everyone has come free Howard front tyre. -- everybody has done for a

hard front tyre. Most people have gone for the softer back tyre. A

real mixture. Hun that had to be careful at the beginning with a

hard to retire. Danny could not get the softer tyre would stop. He

looked very hard qualifying. The track is 90 degrees and has come up

quite a bit. Brands Hatch was 31. It has come up a lot from the warm

up so that is why they have come being first into the first term.

we have seen so many times before, Dani Pedrosa is a demon starter but

this is his team-mate, apart from Casey Stoner, Andrea Dovizioso. He

was the poll man here last year and almost won it. Casey Stoner stopped

him in the end, in the Ducati. It really suits him here. Yes, it's

dry gracing. Stop and start. They are kicking up the dust already on

the side. -- drag racing. This is the longest track on the circuit,

half-a-mile down to this heart stopper. If you're going to go

straight on that corner, it almost stacks to win. -- sucks you in.

Those lovely Yamaha colours. It looks good. Casey Stoner comes up

to take his position, pole position. He has been the guide to beat all

weekend, so we shall see. Jorge Lorenzo, the only guide to split

the Hondas. We are ready for the race in the land of the rising sun.

Marco Simoncelli, a nightmare, bad luck. At the front, Casey Stoner,

and then Dani Pedrosa. Look at a Lorenzo. That is not in the script!

Casey Stoner has made that one stick. A gaggle of Hondas.

Contacted. Rossi has gone down. That has done it. Is he injured? No,

he is not. Ben Spies is down on their Yamaha. He has other

nightmare weekend with food poisoning. Poor old Ben Spies. I

don't think Valentino Rossi is going to get going. Casey Stoner,

he is on it. Andrea Dovizioso, I reckon he moved on the grid. It was

very close, and that was very close, as well. Up front, Casey Stoner is

already putting the hammer down. Moving up now towards the hairpin.

Riding with Andrea Dovizioso. As close as you like. Through the

hairpin. Valentino Rossi has retired. That is awful for him.

There was contact between Valentino Rossi and one of the Yamahas. Let's

have a look at the replay. I think he took Ben Spies. That's how it

looked up to me. Eighth position, I think, for him. OK, moving through

the last right-hand corner, Victory Corner, 24 laps, the journey. 23

laps to go. Right up front, Casey Stoner and Ben Jorge Lorenzo is

still in touch. Behind him, Marco Simoncelli stalking it with

Bautista in the sixth place. Look at this. Elias has had a very good

start. He then got taken out by a Loris Capirossi. This is looking

good for Casey Stoner for the championships. He needs to lead in

Australia, the next round. He needs all 15 points. Not a good weekend

for him. There is Lorenzo, and there is Valentino Rossi. And then

he hit Ben Spies. Here it is another look at it. A little bit

late, but, yeah, it looked like he tried to go into the corner. Jorge

Lorenzo was not tipping at the same time. A racing accident. They were

trying to get into the same piece of track. They were bouncing like

castanets between the two Yamahas. Ball boy oh boy, we are racing in

the land of the rising sun. That is not what he needs to be doing. --

interesting move here for Andrea Dovizioso. Don't forget, last year,

we did not get to see Dani Pedrosa a race because the other in a

shocking mechanical failure and had an injury in practice. Andrea

Dovizioso Was the ponder to beat. Yes, he has got the softer rear

tyre. -- Andrea Dovizioso Was the Honda to beat. He has gone for the

softer of the two tyres for the No, no, another rider down. But his

Barbera, I think. Yes. -- that is Barbera, I think. The officials are

down there. They are talking to Marco Simoncelli's a lot. I think

it is Andrea Dovizioso. OK, we will keep you posted. He is in touch

with a lead bunch. Casey Stoner, Andrea Dovizioso. Down the inside,

nicely done, position perfect. He has gone off. Andrea Dovizioso Has

gone for the softer of the two tyres here, which should give him

the advantage. 22 remaining, of course. Dani Pedrosa should be able

to pull it back towards the end. Marco Simoncelli did not qualify as

well as we thought he was going to. But always an impediment.

crashed in the first practice session and the first qualifying

session. Oh, you're kidding. Cal Crutchlow to jump-start. Andrea

Dovizioso, as well. That's a nightmare for him. He has got a

real shot at shining. I did not see that one but the Marco Simoncelli

one was very obvious. Boy oh boy. That was terrible. And no, Dunne so

quickly rejoins us on the tarmac. - - Cal Crutchlow quickly rejoins us

on the tarmac. Back at the front, it is still Casey Stoner which

leads by one second. That is what one second looks like. All three

Hondas in a formation now. It will be very interesting to see how you

judge at the start when we look at it. Marco Simoncelli was obvious.

Yes, I also saw another one move, as well. Officials are watching all

the time. He will be absolutely distraught by that, Andrea

Dovizioso. It is Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Dovizioso And Marco

Simoncelli. They tried to sort that out so hard for next year. It's

going to be busier in the pit lane on the next lap. They have got

three laps and will get a board as they come over, or one from the

officials and their own pit board. The officials will be giving them

one, as well, but you don't always look for that. Dunne has, in the

9th, so the collateral damage is absolutely enormous -- Cal

Crutchlow. He will know and we'll get that sinking feeling. It's

horrible, you hope somebody has missed it but unfortunately here in

MotoGP, people are watching every single line. You have only got to

move a tiny bit. Nobody got any advantage out of it. Marco

Simoncelli was on the brakes. The jump-start, which is usually a

mistake, unnerve bus clutch hand, it just catches your eye. -- a

nervous clutch hand. It can cost about 30 seconds by the time you

come over the pit lane. The person who will be smiling about it will

be Bautista. He will seek Andrea Dovizioso... That is very tough on

him. You know, look at ball wobble there. Oh my goodness. Will he get

it stop? Unbelievable. You could not write the script for this.

Casey Stoner, the race leader. Finding his way back. He has got to

get back on their nice unsafely. He has got to do it safely. Jorge

Lorenzo will not believe what's happening at the moment. I hope

Marco Simoncelli has seen that because after three laps, and they

don't come in, they get the white flag and they don't get any points

whatsoever. LK, over the top of the hill, the bike gets itself in a

knock it. A huge warble. He had to cut the break. -- or war ball. Then

couldn't get odds on that, could you? Now look at him, Casey Stoner

is in seventh place between Nicky Hayden, Marco Simoncelli, Andrea

Dovizioso. They pull themselves into the pit lane. This man will

shortly come in, Dani Pedrosa, and will be thinking what would have

happened this season had he not broken his collarbone at Le Mans.

Him having to pull him, is made all the more severe from the race

leader. Talk about maximum annoyance! He needs to come in

quickly because a ride through penalty is very harsh, but getting

no point whatsoever and a white flag would be impossible. OK, there

is going to be a pit lane should out now. Here is the first one.

Here comes Andrea Dovizioso. He has got to stick to 60 mph. I have

never known three riders get three jumps starts in MotoGP. This is

like Formula One, not knowing who is going to be there when they come

in. That's no way to make a pass. Out he goes again. Poor old

Valentino Rossi not involved in this. Casey Stoner is now back in

fifth and 10 seconds behind Dani Pedrosa. Here comes Cal Crutchlow.

But just completes his afternoon. He has got the flu, he feels rotten

and then had to learn the track. also went off before that. It's not

happening for poor old Cal Crutchlow. He will want to go to

the Isle of Man for a holiday. in front, Dani Pedrosa, Jorge

Lorenzo, Bautista No. 3. We are here and there's lots of

discussions and debates going on about next year. They are trying to

persuade Suzuki to back MotoGP in a bigger wave. Lorenzo is in second

place. Dani Pedrosa is nine seconds ahead of Casey Stoner. It's coming

down fast. Let's watch this next split pair, Steve. Casey Stoner,

chipping away. There is the man in third. Nicky Hayden is in the 4th.

I can't deal with this. Something is going on. That will teach the

Italians not to turn up. They did not come to Japan. That will teach

them. That was extraordinary. Valentino Rossi got himself tangled

up with Jorge Lorenzo. The he bumped off Jorge Lorenzo and then

and Bont of Ben Spies. And then Valentino Rossi went off. Dani

Pedrosa qualified and is now leading the race. Valentino Rossi

in the pits. We have just heard from the pits. He won't be smiling

because this has been 20 by braces he has scored points in until this

weekend without missing any point, so not a nice way for him to end

his season. Still three races remaining. As I said, he such a

remarkable fellow, Valentino Rossi, and it has been extraordinary to

Andrea Dovizioso, so this is looking good for him to grab back

third spot in the championship. Valentino Rossi has got some eyes,

so I hope there is no serious injury. -- ice. He is fighting to

have the last ride of his career on an uncompetitive bike, trying to

make it as uncompetitive as he can. They we were making it headway. --

really were. It was the aluminium front ends that was offering more

feedback. It all went wrong as he came over the top of their help. A

peculiar situation. Tell us how that starts when you get eight

tanks lap like that, what happens? -- a tank slap. Its tied itself in

an not. Sometimes that happens. They do not have the stability of a

road bike and you have huge amount of grip with the massive tyres and

it's not so out of your hands, virtually snaps out of your hand. -

- it snaps out of your hand. The kinetic energy of Europe brake pad

moves back. -- of your brake pad. By then it is too late for breaking

and the back wheel comes up and there is nothing you can do. At

this point, frankly, at Nicky Hayden, I am looking at foreign

frontiers, I think Casey Stoner will have no problem getting on the

podium. -- I am looking at how far in frontiers. He has been on the

podium every single time, it would appear you are right. If you run

the numbers you can see there. Beacon potentially so get on the

podium. -- he can potentially. Andrea Dovizioso moves up one place.

Toni Elias six light years trying to get out of the way, but I would

just get on with the race. Lush going through butter, firing up to

here, every pass will cost fuel and hander and Casey Stoner is closing

down. Nicky Hayden is the first of the victims that he will slice

through shortly. Just getting out of the corner. He has the

horsepower coming around. He will be close to Nicky Hayden. The next

corner, and he will have a go. is Andrea Dovizioso doing a job on

Tony Ali S. -- Tony Callio S. That was very tough stuff. That was very

there this weekend. Casey Stoner just wants to get this championship

won, trying to get past the Ducati. That is three, 4 and 5 on the track,

rude! This was where he had the problem, over the top of their help.

When you have that situation, you do not know if it will happen in

the next lap. The difference is probably a full fuel tank, weight

distribution, the way it is set up. It is harder to keep self-

confidence on your bike, in the car, you can just look down, but with a

bike, if you look down, you affect the suspension. He nearly goes

down! Nicky Hayden has bombed and sat out a fifth place, trying to

use the same breaking mark her. -- braking marker. He got sucked into

the corner tried to follow Casey Stoner. Here we go again. Once you

go wide, you cannot just laid down the bike, it is not like the track

is the same the whole way across. There is a slippery line were all

of the bits of rubber that come off the tyres go to. Dani Pedrosa that

has the fastest lap there, he blasts the lap record. The only

qualified on 45.2, that is a really quick time. -- they only qualified.

Not anything wrong with this is the key performance. -- the Suzuki

performance. A potential podium for Casey Stoner, but a Alvaro Bautista

oh will give his best performance can make a dull race, that is not

the case today. Absolutely astounding, you would not read

about what has happened so far. There is Casey Stoner again,

because he had to fight through the traffic, he is third up from

Lorenzo. Fighting his way back through. At the moment, you have

got a Spain, one, too. -- two. Lorenzo, keeping this championship

alive. He will get 20 points in second place, but he can get four

points back. Casey Stoner it is a case of when, not if. Things can

happen there, everything can happen, things break off, tyres can go flat,

but not far behind, Dani Pedrosa. 10, 12 laps, 10 seconds, that is an

enormous bowl of time. An enormous bowl of time for Dani Pedrosa. It

is almost impossible, you could throw it down the road. It makes it

more interesting for us the Casey Stoner has to work hard for their

eyes, it may mean that he cannot steal the title in Australia which

is what was in the back of his mind. He would have liked that, and

everything being equal, he probably would have won here if he did not

have that big issue on the top. He could have probably broke it up,

but I think it is very unlikely. Lorenzo was asked about the

championship yesterday and he said it is not over until it is over.

Anything could happen. There is nothing less final than the outcome

of a motorcycle race. Casey Stoner could easily have gone down in the

gravel. The last time round, you can see the difference, Dani

Pedrosa still lapping faster a than Casey Stoner. Casey Stoner has

looked at the next lap time and it is pretty much the length of the

back straight. Look at that distance something, I can bring it

home. He will grab a nice 16 points as we ride with them now. 13 of the

24 Bain, 11 to go. -- of the 24 going to have this lead. A big

squeeze their on the replay. We did not think his leader would be

reduced. Not at all. He has slicing through Alvaro Bautista. They are

chucking them at the scenery to DAX Damian Cudlin, what a shame for him.

I imagine he would be getting tired, riding one of these bikes, going in

a bit too hot. Surrey and a broken your motorbike! -- sorry are broken.

My goodness, he has crashed, the house gone down. He bites his

knuckle. It is in the left-hander just before the straight, literally

down the pit-lane entrance. That is a strange place to crash. So

disappointing. You cannot describe how Paul Denning and the Suzuki the

people will be feeling. It has slithered down the pit lane. Riding

with Lorenzo now, an amazing lap yesterday, getting sav close to

pole position. -- so close. The strange thing is, Andrea Dovizioso

is now back up to fourth place. we're watching a crestfallen a

Alvaro Bautista walking back down the pit lane. His boss will not be

pleased. Ball turning, very heartbreaking. -- Paul Denning.

is eight fast place to crash, it is good he is up and walking so, you

have to take an immediate positive when you can't. He is not stupid,

he knew the space that Andreas had all week. He knew he had to push

like crazy to finish fourth. A great shame. But that is racing,

keep your chin up, try again in Malaysia. Thank you. Bad luck. He

will be gutted. Alvaro Bautista is a hard chap, he would never die

wondering. He had to ride the be hard to keep that position and that

is the difficult part. -- he had to ride really hard. The positive side

is he is up and walking away from it, and here is Cal Crutchlow again

ride on the edge. That is a nasty turn on 11, easy to do. Yes, even

Valentino Rossi makes mistakes. Very disappointing after such a

positive weekend, what is Valentino said about that crashed? Nothing,

he was just in the middle of things, Lorenzo pushed him about at the

side. He just fell down. It was a pity because I think we could do a

very good race. Fighting even for the podium. And even after what has

happened on the trot, I think that would be a very good race for us,

but apart from this, we went well this week. -- on the track. We look

for a start this morning, and we with more questions than answers.

Yeah us, and honest to God, Valentino Rossi realistically could

have got a podium here. He was going to be one of the last few

standing, really. Through, he would have sailed. He is looking at the

data. He is probably let me at the replay of what went on. I think he

went a bit deeper into the corner. Paul Roald Ben Spies came off worse.

He is now intense, Ben Spies. -- poor old Ben Spies. A bouquet, back

at the front, Dani Pedrosa is leading by 2.5 seconds. -- OK, back

at the front. He probably has realised he's not going to catch

Dani Pedrosa. That is the visual Gapper. 11 seconds down the road, a

lonely Casey Stoner will get third. And then Marco Simoncelli and Elias

in the top six. He lost the lot of ground and is in Number 14 at the

moment. There is De Puniet. A lot of constellations going on in the

pit lane on behalf of Dani Pedrosa. They have got to give him feedback.

Absolutely, you're the only person you can understand what's going on,

as a driver. You keep an eye on the pit board. Marco Simoncelli,

miscalculated that time. He grabbed the front brake. He did not get a

good start out of all that. The rules state if you move half-an-

inch, it's deemed a jump-start, and it is made up to stop people doing

it. Yes, Marco had his forks compress them on the bakes --

compressing on the brakes. It would be nice to have an on-board of

Valentino Rossi. Ben Spies did a wonderful job of stopping and

turning. The poor lad, he's had a pretty traumatic weekend, missed

practice seconds, been sick. Oh my goodness. His they going to be

anybody else left out there? -- is there going to be anybody else left

out there? Everybody that needed to do well, has chucked it down the

road for one reason and another. Even poor old Nicky Hayden, who is

going up and down like a yo-yo, is having problems. Down in to turn

five. He drops down into that corner. It's a bit bumpy down there.

Yes. He's got his front brake on and it's easy to lose the front end,

and it's looking so good now. Dani Pedrosa, last lap, 3.1 seconds in

front. He did not imagine it would be that easy for him today, I think.

Yes, he has really decided to roll off the throttle. There is Marco

Simoncelli, one of our two riding debutants. They will scrap down to

the wire. This will be quite a race. Both guys come through the field,

in fourth and 5th positions. Due to the fact that the decimation of the

group has happened, and everybody has ended up in the gravel, they

will be quite pleased. But, who will you put your money on here?

I think Andrea Dovizioso, it means so much for him to do so. Nicky

Hayden could not do it harder if he tried. He's now worked his way past

Colin Edwards. Ben Spies is still trying to recover from that earlier

problem. Colin is not having it. Listen, young fellow, I have one of

the World Championships myself. not sure he even knew he was there,

at all. Colin Edwards, seven of those corners where, if you

sacrifice the line, you tend not to pass on that corner there. Another

10 Tim age advantage between Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner. Colin is

still hanging on to that position a Jorge Lorenzo. I'm sure he will

just bring it home for those 16 points. It's very entertaining,

isn't it? Old guy, young guy, both on Yamahas. No wonder they are

tripping over each other. Ben Spies almost got it. He thinks, Curno,

but old community mongrel is know what rear tyre he has got at

the moment. He went for the harder tyre. I think he will have the edge

at the end. OK. We are awaiting some more news on Barbera, as well.

They had sent him to hospital in a helicopter. We will give you some

news on him. Colin Edwards, Ben Spies, Nicky Hayden, flopping

around together. Ben Spies has just outclassed him, I reckon. This is

too good to be true. Andrea Dovizioso Is not a fan of Marco

Simoncelli's riding style. The old dog has left the young a man come

through. Ducati plays the two Yamahas. This is where we saw him

have a little look the last lap, Ben Spies, so he is through nicely.

There is number 14. We saw poor old Damien Cudlin make his debut and it

crashed out of it, and he will be absolutely sick about it. As you

can see, five riders. They all went out. We are riding with Marco

Simoncelli now, looking every which way. His rear tyre giving him more

grip. Three-and a-half laps remaining of this. The queues year

will be out of the fast corner. -- here. This is his best chance but

the has got more grip than Andrea Dovizioso. Two identical bikes,

factory Hondas. I think he's been made aware of his contract, where

he says he's not supposed to do that, which I agree with. He will

have to be a judicious, trying to get past the factory bike. He has

got three laps to do it, if he's going to do it. So, Jorge Lorenzo

would not believe it. Don't do it on the brakes. It holds under if

you do that. If you take out another Honda rider again, you may

not get a factory machine again next year. Oh no! It's OK. This is

the place, it you can get the drive down the inside, this is the place

to do it. He tried too hard the way really going around here at speed,

these boys, I tell you what. This past blowing part of the circuit

seems to favour Marco Simoncelli, and it seems to be where he feels

more comfortable. I assume he's got more real grip at the moment. Just

extraordinary that three ride through us from jump-started is

unheard of. You hardly ever get jump-start. Yes, they are battling

for 4th and they both have jump starts. Dani Pedrosa, I guess, in

qualifying, it would have thought he could never lead the race and

this man split them in qualifying and now he's actually splitting the

Hondas in the race. That is a triumph on a circuit like this. Now

Andrea Dovizioso Is despondent -- responding again. This is where the

big bikes are all over him. Closing him down. Yes. I suppose if you

wanted to do that, you would hold a board up a. His fellow compatriot

on the same type of machine. This is turn five. I don't think he is

close enough. This is what is looking to do but is not close

enough again. That was the best opportunity he would have a round

that corner. No, it's not going happened there. This is where we

saw the clashing last year between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo,

both on Yamahas at about point. -- that point. Andrea Dovizioso Very

good on the brakes. We are riding with Marco Simoncelli. Just two

laps to go. He chucked a bit of dirt in his face. Oh no! His

problem is Andrea Dovizioso's problem. I think he has got it

covered. No! That would not have worked. They both mixed the apex

turning left. -- and missed the apex. Marco Simoncelli goes through.

His tyres are going off. Marco Simoncelli has got the harder tyres

on so he has got the moral high ground. Andrea Dovizioso Is not

letting this finish. He is trying everything here. Such a good race

last year. There's nobody he would rather not lose to than Marco

Simoncelli because they are both Honda riders for the team. What can

he do? But trying to carry the speed. That is where the harder

tyres work. You saw it bites as the come out of there. Marco has passed

to firm up. There was not a lot of room to spare, but there never is.

We talk about the racing line and its relatively narrow, even on a

wider track like this on a motorcycle. There is one optimum

line and if you pass somebody, you generally go off that line. He is

struggling with a front end. Dani Pedrosa has won in Japan against a

helluva lot of odds, and Jorge Lorenzo comes across the line for

Yamaha. He wanted to split the Honda's. Job done. A great ride

from him. Macro or athlete, he gives a little wave, he does not

know whether to be magnanimous or cross -- Casey Stoner. Marco

Simoncelli has seen of Andrea Dovizioso. Where would they have

been on the track had they not had the jump-off? Frankly, I think they

would have been second and third in front of Jorge Lorenzo, but we will

never know. Colin Edwards comes over the line. Hiroshi Aoyama comes

through for the manner of flying the local flag. 9th, a lovely bloke.

Cal Crutchlow, if he can just keep it neat, he will come across the

line and get points for 11th. That for him. Lorenzo will be pleased

with that second, because it is important that the factory Honda in

front of them was up. There is still 75 points to be had before

the end of the season. In a few weeks' time, we are at the

Malaysian Grand Prix. We are the numbers you just gave us, even if

Casey Stoner wins, it is just short of a disaster if Lorenzo doesn't

pick up 10 points. This will go all the way to the end. A very physical

race. It would be great to get to Valencia, that will be all others

on European time. Lorenzo, he gave everything to date, and he was

really strong. He was lucky not to get tangled up with the situation

with Valentino Rossi. He was digging into the corner. Valentino

Rossi was implying. There was a bite in his way, he stood it up.

Valentino Rossi was on the outside, he smacked into Ben Spies who did

well to keep it upright. Dani Pedrosa has moved in front. Dani

Pedrosa is just one point behind Andrea Dovizioso and they will be

shooting it out all the way to the wire. Andrea Dovizioso finished

fifth in the word last year, he will want to move up this year. Has

been in strong position, he will have to fight Dani Pedrosa to stay

that way. What a race. It is what before Toni Elias, what before

Alvaro Bautista. It was unbelievable. He needs a bit of

luck. He was unlucky heir last year. -- here last year. We keep talking

about Steve what if and the buts, but prior to this race, he was

second in Arab gun, he was second in San Marino, the house been

bundling the points together. he has taken a bunch from Casey

Stoner which is no mean feat is all. Marco Simoncelli, thank you for the

entertainment, that was cracking fund between you and Andrea

Dovizioso. Barrett fails to perform, Marco Simoncelli. -- never fails.

Casey Stoner is explaining what went on, and it was a massive

warble. Look at them. It was shaking so badly. The brakes are so

powerful, if the Puletua Howard, it will cartwheel. -- if you put it

too hard. It was just a situation with the bike tying itself in knots

and he was lucky to stay on. keeps his unblemished record of

podiums. The end when he missed was the race with the Rossi crash.

often we see you make a mistake, but that's what happens, Tommy

about its? I had been hitting those pompous all week. -- bumps all week.

I nearly lost my hand on handlebars. When a band for the brakes there

was nothing there, the pads had separated, no brakes on the return.

I was lucky to get them pumped up and pull myself up. Not happy at

all. We had a good feeling this week, a good chance of winning the

race, everything was going well until that point. 40 points in the

championship, three races to go, your home GP next, not as bad way

to go? No, we had the pace and we had the bike for it, but by the

time I was in third, there was no point and pushing and it was hard

work today, there was a lot of chatter on the front end, it did

not work perfectly, but if we had to push in front of the race, I am

sure we would make it work, but we were disappointed today because

that does not happen often. What happened to date. To Emma's

imitation, well done. -- damage limitation. It is very scary when

that happens. Lorenzo would not be expecting second, that was good

stuff. At the beginning of the week, did you think you would be here in

second? No, it was very strange because Casey Stoner went wide and

then Andrea divvied sears will intercept, I think. It was possible

to fight with Dani Pedrosa up. But then he was coming better-run

batter. He was inspired to date. He had a very high level of riding, so

he decided on victory and I could not follow him. 40 points, three

races to go, still possible? Very possible. There are still some

possibilities. Thank you. Batten possible at all, but in a surprise.

Bat not impossible at all. It is all about finishing had been

You banished the demons from last year here, congratulations on the

win. Thank you. I'm really happy, because in this circuit I had good

and bad results. Also, some bad injuries. Finally, to come here and

win in MotoGP, it's a very good feeling. I won here on the Hondo,

but I did not complete the job for the MotoGP, so am very happy. The

race was very hard because the rhythm was very high at the

beginning. They were super-fast and they could not follow them. But I

knew Andrea Dovizioso from the start, and Casey Stoner made a

mistake, and they left it free for me, so I just put my head down and

made it to the end, so I'm very happy. My team did a really good

job, the bike was working really well. We wanted to win, and finally,

we did today, so I'm very happy here today. Congratulations.

should be very happy indeed. He got a bit of luck there. It has

narrowed the lead. Casey Stoner now Yes, this is the past. It was

beneficial for hem. Andrea Dovizioso got on the dirt, and they

do not get as much grip as on the tarmac. They missed the apex. He

got through there, so that was Marco Simoncelli grabbing fourth

place in the Andante were not expected finish fourth at three

jump-start. It is horrible to have a jump-start, that massive penalty

you get, it is designed to stop people doing it. He needed some

luck, it is good to see that he did. Ms Dani Pedrosa said, he was paid

back after the rotten luck he had here last year. The bosses are all

here to watch it and they got a nice win, I think they were

expecting a 1, 2, 3, but winning is enough. This time last year, it was

Ducati that won with Casey Stoner riding, an extraordinary result, so

they have got some tricks that they do not want us to seek. Putting

denies cover-up and, hopefully it doesn't catch fire with the heat

from the exhaust pipes! Put it on the right way! Everything is neatly

dressed now. Be nice cover. Casey Stoner will be disappointed. This

man will be happy with his result, he finished in the top 10 and his

10th in the championship, consistent. Yes, when Valentino

were Rossi went down, there was a shovel in the pack. -- Valentino

Rossi. Looking at that again, it was Lorenzo that ran in just a

little bit deeper. That is where it called Valentino Rossi out Bulls

Derby did not quite tip into the apex. That is related to one

another. -- where they clipped one another. Aber pleased that he went

straight on. -- they were pleased. He did well to keep it upright in

the gravel. He arrived on the gravel track at about 70 mph. Be

focusing moment. The third place will be all you can expect after an

excursion like this. Reasonable damage control. The win for Honda

on the Honda track. Lorenzo did very well. Thank you. Thank you.

Dani Pedrosa that will take the trophy for the winning here in

Spain. What an absolutely astonishing win for him. A great

result. Some more work for Casey Stoner to do. A great win for Dani

Pedrosa. That is all we have time for here in Japan. Lots more sport

and BBC Two, 2pm, Clare Balding has the horse racing in Paris. Then

there is rugby league, and all of the highlights from the weekend.

And any Devonish of the sporting Sunday with matted the day two,