Japan MotoGP: Bridgestone Race Report

Both riders used the softer rear tire, but Rossi used the harder front slick whereas Lorenzo opted for the softer compound.As had been indicated all weekend, the overall performance of both option front tires was very similar, and this was highlighted by the Rossi and Lorenzo battle in which the pair were very evenly matched throughout the 24 laps.
Only Lorenzo and Nicky Hayden used the softer option front slick tires, but all riders favoured the softer rear slicks.
Colin Edwards scored his best result of the season in fifth for Monster Yamaha Tech3, triumphing in his own battle with Marco Simoncelli.
Teammate Ben Spies finished eighth after recovering from an early off-track excursion with Nicky Hayden, and Loris Capirossi retired having also been fighting with Edwards and Simoncelli.
Mikio Masunaga (Vice President and Official Member of the Board, Bridgestone Corporation) says: "I would like to congratulate the Ducati Team and Casey Stoner for their excellent victory here today. This year's Japanese Grand Prix was delayed because of the Iceland volcano but we are very glad that it was rescheduled. We are honored to have been able to support our second Japanese Grand Prix as MotoGP's Official Tire Supplier, and Bridgestone will continue to strive to provide tires of consistent quality and safety and a fair tire service to all teams."
Tohru Ubukata (Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle Tire Development Department) says: "I'm pleased with tire performance in (Sunday's) race, especially with the consistency of our softer spec rear. Conditions for the race were almost the same as last year but the pace was much faster which indicates the improvement in performance from using our asymmetric rear tires here. I'm also happy with our tyre compound selection for this grand prix as all weekend we have seen that both specs of rear tyre were performing well and in the race our softer front slick was also very consistent, even in the intense battle between Valentino and Jorge that pushed the tyres to the maximum right to the end of the race."

Malaysian MotoGP: No Pedrosa at Sepang

After hoping to return this weekend for the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang, Dani Pedrosa has decided to not compete.
The Repsol Honda rider will continue his rehabilitation program, and plans to return at the following round in Phillip Island for the Australian Grand Prix.
This is bad news for Honda fans; Pedrosa is the only rider capable of catching Jorge Lorenzo in the 2010 Championship. With a result of ninth or better this weekend at Sepang, the Fiat Yamaha rider may possibly clench the title four races early.
Pedrosa said he would hold off until the final minute before this weekend's MotoGP event in Sepang, but due to the severity of his injury, and the recovering time associated with it, Pedrosa has been forced opt out.
Pedrosa, who sustained a double fracture to his collarbone at Practice for the Motegi Grand Prix last Friday, underwent surgery Saturday at USP Dexeus clinic in Barcelona.
After being discharged from the clinic on Monday, Pedrosa immediately began functional rehabilitation, and his doctor, Xavier Mir, says Pedrosa is making positive progress.
A Repsol Honda release reads: "However, the condition of his collarbone, the bruises he suffered in the fall and the lack of strength in his left arm and shoulder have forced him to take the difficult decision of postponing his return to the competition. Now Dani will work hard to be ready for the Australian race."