Mackenzie, Pourcel Win Grand Prix of Japan
| May 29, 2007
Scotsman Billy Mackenzie and Frenchman Christophe Pourcel made it a Kawasaki sweep at the Grand Prix of Japan, May 27. It was the first time ever that Kawasaki claimed double GP victories, and it was also the first Grand Prix win for Kawasaki in the MX1 class since Chad Reed won in Holland in 2001.
American Mike Brown, riding for the CAS Honda team, capped off a successful day with a win in the second moto. A fifth-place finish in the first moto combined to give Brown second overall for the day.
In the MX1 class, Mackenzie passed Brown for the lead early in the first moto and ran off with the win. In the second moto, Mackenzie fought his way past Brown again, only this time he later fell, handing Brown the moto win. Mackenzie, however, got right back up and finished second, his 1-2 more than good enough for the overall victory. Series points leader, Yamaha’s Josh Coppins went 3-3 for third overall.
Pourcel went 1-2 for the victory in the MX2 class, beating out Antonio Cairoli’s 3-1. KTM rider Tommy Searle 4-3 for third overall.
Both Coppins and Cairoli maintain their leads in the points standings, while Brown moved up to eighth in the MX1 class. Just 14 points separate Brown from the fourth-place rider, Sebastien Pourcel.
