Japan may not have a full-time MotoGP rider this season, but there will be three home stars on the grid for this weekend's Motegi round. As well as the previously announced wild-cards for factory test riders Takumi Takahashi (Team HRC) and Katsuyuki Nakasuga (Yamalube Racing Team Yamaha), Kousuke Akiyoshi's presence has also been confirmed. The Honda development rider will replace the injured Karel Abraham, still struggling with foot injuries from Catalunya, on the AB Motoracing team's Open class Honda. Akiyoshi made eight previous MotoGP appearances between 2006-2011, with Suzuki and then Honda.
Full Story »