Video - Pedrosa takes out Japanese MotoGP
Dani Pedrosa won for the first time in 2015 and the 50th time his career after upstaging Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi in Motegi.
The Japanese MotoGP did not go according to script after Dani Pedrosa eclipsed world championship hopefuls Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi on Sunday.
Pole-setter Lorenzo and championship leader Rossi started from the front row and the Yamaha pair were expected to vie for top spot on the podium in Motegi.
However, Repsol Honda's Pedrosa had other ideas as he won for the first time this season after taking the lead with seven laps remaining.
Pedrosa finished 8.5 seconds ahead of Rossi, who extended his lead over Lorenzo to 18 points, after the latter placed third.
Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso rounded out the top five.