Ian Wheeler dissects an exciting GP of Japan

Casey Stoner’s second win of the season, a return to the podium for Andrea Dovizioso after a start from pole position for the first time in the premier class, and of course ‘that’ battle between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo for the final spot in the top three.

Combined with the injury sustained by Dani Pedrosa, who fractured a collarbone in a practice session fall on Friday, the twists and turns in the 2010 campaign continued to come thick and fast at the Grand Prix of Japan as another action-packed weekend was served up.

Looking back over the events motogp.com Pit Lane reporter Ian Wheeler said: “It was a fantastic win for Casey Stoner. You wait for a win all season and two come along at once! It was also a great ride from Andrea Dovizioso in second but he just couldn’t match Stoner’s pace today. The battle between Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi… there are no team orders at Fiat Yamaha, are there?!”

“Rossi wanted that podium but Lorenzo, who really should be playing it safe and bringing the bike home, did too. What we saw was a clash of the titans really, neither backed down and they swapped some paint on their bikes! It was a situation that had Lin Jarvis (Yamaha Motor Racing MD) with his head in his hands for the last two laps! It was a fantastic battle and Rossi came out on top and took the podium, which he was very happy with. Lorenzo finished and we saw him storm out of the pit box unhappy with his result. After he pushed so hard and didn’t get what he was looking for you can kind of understand why he was a bit upset.”

Considering the implications for the title following Pedrosa’s non-participation and with Lorenzo 69 points clear with four rounds remaining, Ian also contemplated the slim chance of the Repsol Honda rider making an extremely speedy return this coming weekend at Sepang.

“It was a long shot before this weekend and it’s even longer now (winning the title). I think Dani Pedrosa, Alberto Puig and HRC will sit down and look at the options available to them,” commented Ian. “They’ll look at how safe their second place is and I’m sure they will make the best decision for Dani and not just look at the Championship chances. I do think someone will be sitting down with Jorge Lorenzo after this race and saying: ‘Please Jorge, just bring the bike home safely in Malaysia!’.”

You can test your own expertise against that of Ian’s by playing the Official Fantasy MotoGP 2010 game. Submit your predictions for Sunday’s Sepang race now and be in with a chance of winning some great prizes!