The Japanese GP is always one of the standout weekends of the season, with so many last-lap duels, unexpected moments and unpredictable weather that have changed results. Motegi has delivered countless battles, with the Motul Grand Prix of Japan giving another opportunity to create more history this weekend. But before the action gets underway, let’s go back in time and relive some of the greatest moments that Japan has to offer!

2007 – Stoner’s moment arrives

The 2007 Japanese Grand Prix was a day Ducati will never forget. Dani Pedrosa took an early lead in the tricky conditions before Casey Stoner carved his way to the front, battling with Marco Melandri. Meanwhile, Valentino Rossi moved closer to the podium as the changing conditions forced a flag-to-flag bike swap. After the bike change, Rossi’s hopes began to slip away, momentarily entering the pits again – followed by an off-track excursion. Loris Capirossi would take victory, but more importantly, Stoner claimed P6, and with Rossi in P13, it was enough for the Australian to become the 2007 World Champion.

2010 – Yamaha’s Japan duel: Rossi vs Lorenzo

Plenty of headlines were made at the 2010 Japanese GP after THAT battle between teammates… It was an important day in the 2010 MotoGP World Championship, with Dani Pedrosa forced to sit out following a crash on Friday. Casey Stoner held the advantage over Andrea Dovizioso in the opening stages as Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi began the fight for P3. Rossi held the upper hand, with viewers at home treated to some of the most iconic images we've seen at Motegi. Stoner clinched victory, defeating Dovizioso by 3.868s, while Rossi earned third, just 0.514s ahead of Lorenzo.

2015 – Pedrosa wins as Rossi defeats Lorenzo

It was another key moment in 2015’s fierce title race. Jorge Lorenzo stormed into the lead in the early stages at Motegi. It was wet conditions at the start, with Dani Pedrosa placing himself into podium contention – passing Andrea Dovizioso and eventually Valentino Rossi. Pedrosa continued to put down the hammer, hunting down Lorenzo before making the move with seven laps remaining. Pedrosa took victory by an astonishing 8.573s over Rossi, who extended his Championship lead to 18 points after an error from Lorenzo with five laps to go.

2017 – a rain dance for Dovizioso and Marquez

The 2017 rain-soaked Japanese GP was a weekend that was cemented into the history books, with Johann Zarco starting from pole. Marc Marquez stole the lead at Turn 1, with P1 swapping hands at the start as Jorge Lorenzo and later Danilo Petrucci had their turn at the front. In the closing stages, the #9 dropped to third, leading to a blockbuster finish to the Grand Prix between Marquez and Dovizioso. The battle hit boiling point on the final lap, with Dovizioso’s decisive move arriving at Turn 11 – securing victory by 0.249s. Marquez attempted to respond, finishing in second as Petrucci completed the podium.

2018 – Marquez clinches the title in Japan

Finally, we arrive in 2018 on a day that Marc Marquez will never forget as he arrived in Japan with the chance to become World Champion. It was sunshine on Sunday with Dovizioso leading the early laps, looking to stop the #93 from adding another title to his collection. Marquez made his move with four laps remaining, launching a crucial overtake for the Championship at Turn 9. But as Marc moved another step closer to the title, the headlines were made on the penultimate lap as Dovizioso crashed out – cementing Marquez as the 2018 MotoGP World Champion.

And that’s not all Japan has to offer, from Makoto Tamada’s home win in 2004, to Valentino Rossi and Marco Melandri’s collision in 2005, and not to forget Jack Miller’s magnificent triumph in 2022. Get ready for another magical Motegi weekend, with Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) looking to extend his Championship lead!