Bridgestone have taken a step towards repeating their Formula One domination in MotoGP by agreeing a contract with Ducati.

Japan’s Makoto Tamada claimed his maiden MotoGP victory after title rivals Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi failed to finish in Brazil yesterday.

Jeremy McWilliams is downcast over his team’s chances of a strong result in the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.

Sete Gibernau posted the fastest time in practice, edging Valentino Rossi ahead of Sunday's MotoGP Pacific Grand Prix in Japan.