Turning Japanese - Before 24,000 spectators, Kawasaki riders Billy Mackenzie and Christophe Pourcel won the Grand Prix of Japan at the Sugo Sportsland circuit near the town of Sendai. By winning here on Sunday, Mackenzie, of Great Britain, became the first British rider to claim an MX1 Grand Prix. American Mike Brown of the CAS Honda team climbed up to the second stop on the podium, his cause in Japan certainly bolstered by a well-earned second moto victory. Josh Coppins, the current MX World Championship point’s leader, remained ever steady in Japan, placing third overall. KTM Red Bull’s David Philippaerts was fourth on the day, while Steve Ramon of Suzuki ended up fifth.

It was the Tennessee-born rider Mike Brown grabbing the holeshot and leading the MX classification out onto the Sugo circuit in moto one, however Billy Mackenzie sailed by by the conclusion of the opening lap. Concurrently, Brown and Josh Coppins started a fierce fight for second, allowing Mackenzie to clear out up front in clean air. Coppins did pass Brown, as did David Philippaerts. Jonathan Barragan then joined the group, finally passing teammate Philippaerts. Barragan did not stop there, managing to get a hook in Coppins, catch the Rinaldi Yamaha rider, then making the pass for second. When all was said and done, Billy Mackenzie claimed the moto win over Barragan, Coppins, Philippaerts and Mike Brown.

Once again, Mike Brown was the holeshot artist in Japan, beating Mackenzie and Coppins out of the first turn. The trio railed around the Sugo track before Mackenzie found his way to the front. As the race wore on, Billy Mackenzie hit the dirt, allowing Mike Brown into the lead spot. However, Mackenzie was quick to get to his feet, chased home Brown for second, and in doing so, won the Grand Prix of Japan.

In the MX1 World Championship point standings, Josh Coppins holds sway, 63 points ahead of second place man Kevin Strijbos. Steve Ramon is third, while Sebastien Pourcel and David Philippaerts round off the top five.

In the MX2 division, it Christophe Pourcel pulling the holeshot, hounded by Tommy Searle, Tyla Rattray and Nicolas Aubin. The reigning MX2 World Champion started to gap the field, while championship adversary Tony Cairoli was fighting his way to the front from a sixth place start. A few laps later, KTM rider Tyla Rattray raced around Searle and closed in on the green rear fender of Pourcel. The two pilots traded the lead in a thrilling fight for position, but when the checkered flag flew, it was Pourcel the victor. Rattray was second and Cairoli third. Tommy Searle finished fourth and Gareth Swanepoel rounded out the top five.

Tony Cairoli holeshot the second moto and had a brief fight with Tyla Rattray before Cairoli put the hammer down and started to put daylight between he and the South African.

This time Cairoli had the greatest start, but runner up Tyla Rattray was very close in the first couple of laps. The two rivals passed each other four times in one lap, before Cairoli grabbed the lead and run away with it. Back in second, Rattray kept Cairoli on his sights, but was then forced to give the position to Pourcel, who caught and passed him. Soon, though, Pourcel would crash, bending his handlebars. However, he got the problem fixed, raged through the pack and caught Tommy Searle at the bitter end of the race,, thus earned victory at the Grand Prix of Japan.

In the MX2 World Championship points’ chase, Antonio Cairoli leads the way with an amazing 64 point gap on Christophe Pourcel. Tyla Rattray holds down the third spot in the title fight.