Dani Pedrosa makes it big in Japan MotoGP

Dani Pedrosa makes it big in Japan MotoGP
By Everton Gayle
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Hello and welcome to Speed. Dani Pedrosa put an end to more than one year without victories to claim his 50th career win in Motegi. Valentino Rossi

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Hello and welcome to Speed. Dani Pedrosa put an end to more than one year without victories to claim his 50th career win in Motegi. Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo continue their battle for the Moto GP world title and once again, the italian proved to be stronger.

Dani Pedrosa came from sixth on the grid with a virtuoso display to leave his rivals in the shade the Motul Grand Prix of Japan.

The Spaniard, who almost quit the sport earlier this year because of an arm problem that needed surgery, grabbed the lead seven laps from the end of a wet race at the Twin Ring circuit in Motogi.

He surged clear of his rivals to win for the first time this season.

Rossi finished second while his Yamaha teammate and championship rival, Jorge Lorenzo, faded into third after leading for most of the race until he dropped back after having tyre problems.

The result sees Valentino Rossi extend his lead in the championship standings.

Rossi now has an 18-point lead over Lorenzo with just three races remaining, while Marc Marquez remains in third with 197 points.

In Moto 2, Johann Zarco took full advantage of Tito Rabat’s absence. The Frenchman sealed the world title in style with his seventh win of the season.

He was already crowned champion before he moved an inch off the grid but Zarco rode with panache.

The race was cut to 15 laps because of the foul weather.

After a slow start from pole, Zarco took the lead on the seventh lap and never looked live giving it up.

Jonas Folger, a two-time winner this season, held on for second ahead of his fellow German Sandro Cortese, who claimed his first podium finish this year.

Formula 1 is quickly becoming the perfect complement for the Sunday siesta… in another boring race, Lewis Hamilton took a giant step towards his third world title in Sochi.

It was easy peasy for the British rider who took a huge step towards his third world championship after his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg retired with throttle failure.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel finished runner-up to overtake Rosberg in the title standings as Hamilton’s closest rival, 66 points adrift of the Briton.

If results go Hamilton’s way, he can secure his second successive title in Austin, Texas, in two weeks time.

Mexican Sergio Perez finished third for Force India.

Mercedes won the constructors‘ title on Sunday after Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was penalised for causing a collision.

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The Finn had finished fifth but was dropped to eighth place

It’s time to say goodbye in our program. We’ll leave you with the best images of Nasser Al-Attiyah’s win in the Moroccan rally, a victory that earned him the rally raid world title. In the motos, Sam Sunderland won the race, Mathias Walkner claimed the world title. Speed returns next Sunday, see you then.

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