27 Apr 2009

Yamaha one-two in Japan

6:09 am on 27 April 2009

Spain's Jorge Lorenzo led a Yamaha one-two by powering to victory over MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi in the Japanese Grand Prix.

Lorenzo's second win since moving up from 250cc last year gave him a one-point lead over Rossi in the world championship standings.

The 21-year-old, who had been suffering with a cold in the build-up to the race at Motegi's Twin Ring circuit, has 41 points to the Italian's 40 after two rounds.

It was Lorenzo's second MotoGP win following his maiden triumph in Portugal last year and gave him a perfect boost before his home race at Jerez next weekend.

Honda's Dani Pedrosa, who rocketed from 11th on the grid to second at the end of the first lap, took third place following a see-saw battle with Rossi for second.

Ducati's 2007 world champion Casey Stoner, who won the season-opener in Qatar earlier this month, finished fourth after struggling with front brake trouble.