MotoGP team-mates Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro wrote their names into Yamaha history on Sunday with victory, alongside Katsuyuki Nakasuga, in the Suzuka 8 Hours. It was Smith's first major win since 125cc in 2010 and Espargaro's since Moto2 in 2013. But the biggest news was that they had given Yamaha glory in Japan's most prestigious race for the first time since 1996. After Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo politely made clear their focus was on this year's MotoGP title, the satellite Tech 3 pairing were parachuted in to form the backbone of Yamaha's first factory Suzuka assault in 13 years. They soon adapted to the alien environment, aided by the technical experience and advice of...
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