Jorge Lorenzo comes to the Japanese Grand Prix determined to close the gap on Casey Stoner in the overall standings as his title campaign reaches a critical stage.
The Spaniard, winner of the 2010 world championship, heads to the much-debated Motegi event 44 points behind his main rival, with just four rounds of the season now remaining.
This means that the MotoGP tire compound options are unchanged, but with the addition of the third soft compound front slicks, although the rear asymmetric slicks have been modified slightly.
Compared to last year the left shoulders of the rear slicks are now one step softer for improved warm-up and safety in the opening laps, in response to MotOGP rider feedback. The Medium compound rear has a soft compound left shoulder whereas the Soft compound rear uses Bridgestone's extra soft rubber in the left side. This season the extra soft compound rubber will be used at a total of eight MotoGP races.
The 4.8km MotoGP Motegi circuit features four long and fast straights, and its layout is characterised by hard acceleration followed by heavy braking. This places the emphasis on front tyre stability and a strong center section, and good traction from the rear tire.
With eight right-handed corners and just six lefts, warm-up performance from the left side of the rear tires is particularly important hence the use of softer compounds this year to improve MotoGP rider safety in the early laps and in the instance of cold conditions.
The MotoGP field will turn-out at Motegi in force, with the addition of two more bikes from Honda supplied for HRC test riders Shinichi Ito and Kosuke Akiyoshi. Bridgestone MotoGP slick compounds available: Front: Soft, Medium, Hard. Rear (asymmetric): Soft, Medium
With Dorna confirming that their were no health risks following the tragic consequences caused by the earthquake that devastated parts of Japan Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner both originally stating they would not race at Montegi relented. Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo now has just four races left to close the gap to Championship leader Casey Stoner, currently 44 points ahead.
Jorge Lorenzo is no stranger to the Motegi podium having taken victory in 2009. Ben Spies arrives in Motegi for his second ever Japanese MotoGP race. Designed in 1997 as a test venue, Motegi features a somewhat geometric track layout. As part of Yamaha’s 50th anniversary of Grand Prix racing the team will again run the special ‘YZR-M1 WGP50th Anniversary Edition’ livery this weekend.