Valentino Rossi extended his points lead over MotoGP title rival Jorge Lorenzo as Dani Pedrosa took an unexpected victory in Japan.
Lorenzo had looked on course to cut the gap to his Movistar Yamaha team-mate, who is bidding for a 10th world title this season, after leading the race from the early stages.
But neither had banked on Repsol Honda's Pedrosa who passed first Rossi and then Lorenzo to take victory at Motegi.
Rossi was able to take second from Lorenzo in the closing stages as the correct front tyre choice proved decisive in the damp conditions to lead the championship standings by 18 points with three races remaining.
Victory in the Moto2 race went to France's Johann Zarco and Niccolo Antonelli triumphed in the Moto3 class.
