From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

FINAL FIVE RACES WILL DECIDE PREMIER TITLE DESTINY

This MotoGP season always looked like it would be the tightest of contests. The three main protagonists believe the fight will not be resolved until the very last of this 16-round season at Valencia in Spain. But there will be plenty of action to come before that.

Motegi marks the start of the five-race title run-in with a series of ‘flyaway’ races where the predominantly European-based teams embark on a month-long stay in the middle and far-east in late September and October with four races in five weeks. Then the last round at Valencia – back in Europe.

Apart from the logistical nightmare of transporting the hundreds of tons and machines, spares and tools, the teams and riders hardly have a let-up between races – and whichever rider gains early momentum in these vital races, is likely to gain an advantage in morale as tiredness and jet-lag take their toll.

The current MotoGP series leader is Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) who heads Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) by 29 points. Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V) lies 22 behind Gibernau. One of these three will win the title. Colin Edwards (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) on 111 points is the only man to have scored points at all races so far – and despite a mathematical chance of overall honours, he cannot properly be considered a title contender.

Naturally, the man on top starts the run-in at an advantage, but Motegi, north west of Tokyo, is a track that will suit the Honda RC211Vs of Gibernau and Biaggi. The 4.801km Twin Ring Motegi track built in 1998 is made largely of constant-radius second and third gear turns – precisely where the RC211V excels with its smooth drive and seamless power.

With eight right-hand corners and six left, Motegi has an exceptionally smooth surface and there is no camber. Set-up requires a bike stable both under fierce acceleration and equally severe braking. Front/rear balance and suspension settings are key.

But the track also features gradient and a spectacular tunnel. The back straight is downhill into a tight right-hand bend. And although the main straight is only 0.762km long, the tunnel between turn five and the 130R turn more than makes up for a long main chute in terms of spectacle – and rarity value. No other MotoGP track boasts a subway section.

There are still 125 points to be won in the remaining races. And although Biaggi fell on the first lap of the Portuguese Grand Prix two weeks ago, the Italian could not be further from abandoning his World Championship aspirations.

“Racing at Motegi is something that will help me get over what happened in Portugal,” said Max. “Not only because I like the track, but also because I like being in Japan, I have a lot of friends there and an exceptional fan club. As regards the GP itself, I aim to do a good race like I did last year. I have worked very hard with the team on the bike, none of us have rested for a second.”

His team-mate Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda RC211V) riding on Bridgestone tyres said, “I can’t wait to ride in Japan. I love Suzuka and this year there was no race, but at last the Motegi race has come around. I left straight from the Portuguese GP to spend a bit of time at home but now I’m eager to get out onto the track. The bike is going well and the tyres have improved considerably. My aim is to get a fantastic result in Japan.” He was cruelly disqualified from last year’s event after tangling with Gibernau.

Sete said, “I am staying focused on myself and am thinking about each race as an independent one. I cannot think about what track I like or which one is better for my RC211V because each race will be determined from the speed with which we are able to get the bike set up correctly. It will be important to know how to cope with the pressure and Valentino is very good at this. Until now he has been world champion, I have never before found myself in this situation, and with each day I learn to be a better rider and with me my team betters itself also.”

His team-mate Colin Edwards is fond of Motegi, “The atmosphere is good, and this year it will be the only MotoGP race in Japan so I think it will be a huge event. My favourite part of the track is the tunnel exit, you come our of it and you meet a series of 4 corners: right, left, right, left… It’s fun! And it’s a nice atmosphere here too. Some people don’t like to race in Japan, but I’ve raced at Suzuka many times and I love coming to Japan.”

Alex Barros (Repsol Honda RC211V) comes here after a podium finish in Portugal. “I like the track and I have very happy memories of the first time I rode a Honda RC211V there back in 2002 and won the race,” he said. “We arrive in Japan in good spirits after the race in Portugal. It was a very important race for me, and the end to a good weekend. There are now five races left and I approach every one the same as I have done all season. I want to do the best I can in every race. I’ve ridden for Honda for many years and I’ve won for them in 8-hour races and in Grands Prix and I know how important it is to win a home race for a manufacturer.”

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) returns to racing after missing Portugal with a broken collarbone. “I’m really looking forward to getting back into action this weekend,” he said. “Portugal was so painful really. Not because of my collarbone, which now feels pretty good, but because it was so hard to see the guys out there, and me not being able to mix it. I like Motegi – the tunnels are cool – and want to look at the race as being the first race of the next part of the season. There have been some good parts to this year but it hasn’t gone totally to plan. I so want to finish the year on a high and I’ll be doing everything I can to make that happen.”

In the 250cc title fight Dani Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) leads with 209 points from Randy de Puniet on 182 and Sebastian Porto (Aprilia) with 173. Consistency is the key this year.

Pedrosa has finished every race but one, with four wins among those finishes. De Puniet has finished every race with one win, and four valuable second places. Porto has failed to finish twice. This title run-in could easily prove to be as tight and exhilarating as the premier class finale.

Dani said, “Motegi is one of my favourite circuits and the one I am most looking forward to out of all the remaining rounds this season. I like it because the track surface is perfect, there are no bumps, and it’s is a circuit with plenty of hard braking and acceleration. And I think Hiro on his home turf will be able to help me to get my references at the start.”

Hiroshi Aoyama (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team said, “Ever since I left home to start the season I’ve been looking forward to the Grand Prix of Japan. I will have all my family and friends there, it is a Honda circuit, where I have spent a lot of my career racing, and it won’t be a case of learning the circuit as it is at every other Grand Prix. It is also the most important race of the year for me.”

Tony Elias (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) currently lies fourth overall and is now back to form after winning in Portugal. “Motegi is one of my favourite race tracks – it suits my style – lots of tight corners where you brake hard going in and then get on the gas quickly coming out. Now I’m feeling more comfortable with the new chassis I know it will help me at Motegi. I can’t wait for the race. I have a good feeling about it and I have had success at Motegi before.” He won here last year.

Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) needs a strong result here. “Motegi is a strange place, the track has two parts. I really like the fast uphill corner and the chicane but many parts are not as technical and it’s a little difficult to pass in places. I had a good race here last year and if we get a reasonable set up I will make up for my bad day at Estoril.” Robby was tenth at Estoril and second to Elias here last year.

In the 125cc category Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) is the points leader, as he has been all season. He is the only Honda rider in the top ten of the World Championship standings. Julian Simon (Angaia Racing Honda RS125R) and Simone Corsi (Team Scot Honda RS125R) are 13th and 14th.

Dovizioso was cruelly robbed of a result in Portugal by a puncture from a screw on the track. “What happened to me at Estoril cannot be changed,” he said. “So I have to get the most out of Motegi. I’m very confident going to Japan it will be a good race for me. Our bike is very good now and particularly at a stop-go track like Motegi it has really good acceleration. That will be important on Sunday.”