Motegi review: Returning to form

Jorge Lorenzo wasn't the only one to return to form in Japan, taking a dominant victory over Valentino Rossi. Motegi also signalled a rebirth for Marco Melandri as he rode his Hayate Kawasaki to sixth place

There are many characters in any motorsport paddock. It is no different from any large village in that there are good guys, great guys, a few village idiots and some bandits all thrown in. Just like a village pub.

Similarly, there are guys who struggle with their bikes and then get on another and flower. One such guy is Marco Melandri, who last weekend at Motegi got rid of a large part of 16 months worth of angst and frustration in one race. Sixth position might not be something to wave a flag about, but for a Kawasaki to do that with no works effort is a cracking on to be a miracle.

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