The 2009 MotoGP season reaches the Twin Ring Motegi circuit next, for the Japanese Grand Prix on April 26th. Victory in round one, the Qatar Grand Prix, went to Australian Casey Stoner, riding for Marlboro Ducati.
2009 Japanese MotoGP Preview
While Valentino Rossi finished second in the opening race of the 2009 MotoGP season the Italian was over seven seconds behind Stoner’s Ducati at the chequered flag. Ducati’s new carbon fibre bike won first time out, sending out a strong message to the Italian team’s rivals.
Rossi won the Grand Prix at Motegi last year, but the FIAT Yamaha rider will have his work cut out to repeat the result this time around. Stoner and Ducati form a formidable partnership and the 2007 World Champion must start the race as favourite.
Rossi’s young team-mate, Jorge Lorenzo, rode a sensible race in Qatar to finish third. Colin Edwards will be hoping for another solid points finish at Motegi, after taking his Monster Tech 3 Yamaha to fourth at Losail. His team-mate James Toseland had a less productive weekend. The Briton ran off the track and eventually finished 16th.
Andrea Dovizioso was the quickest of the Repsol Honda riders in Qatar, ending the race in fifth. His team-mate Dani Pedrosa has still not fully recovered from the effects of a testing accident. Alex de Angelis also had a strong outing on the San Carlo Gresini Honda, finishing sixth.
Rizla Suzuki will be looking for an improved performance at Motegi. Chris Vermeulen could only manage seventh last time out, while Loris Capirossi crashed out of the race in spectacular fashion.
A lack of testing appears to be seriously hampering certain riders. This includes Ducati new boy Nicky Hayden and Niccolo Canepa, also riding a Ducati for the satellite Pramac Racing team. Marco Melandri, after a dismal 2008 season with Ducati, will be looking to move up the order on his Hayate Racing Kawasaki.
Twin Ring Motegi Circuit
The impressive Motegi facility lies to the north east of Tokyo. Several configurations can be used, with the MotoGP layout measuring 2.983 miles (4.801 km) in length. The current lap record of 1:47.041 was established last year by Stoner on a Ducati.
The Motegi MotoGP circuit is characterised by several tight corners. The circuit offers good overtaking opportunities and features a straight almost half a mile in length. Rossi won the race last year and it should once again be a battle between the great Italian and the young challenger, Stoner.
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