Spain's Dani Pedrosa claimed the 50th Grand Prix win of his career on Sunday, taking victory in the Japanese MotoGP as runnerup Valentino Rossi extended his lead in the championship standings.
Pedrosa, who almost quit the sport earlier this year because of an arm problem that needed surgery, grabbed the lead seven laps from the end of a wet race at the Twin Ring circuit in Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture.
He surged clear of his rivals to win for the first time this season and the 50th of his career, which began in the 125cc class in 2001.