Vincent gets better of wet Suzuka.

Arnaud Vincent lead the 125cc class to a great start of the 2002 season in a race which was troubled by rain and surface water on the track.

The Suzuka circuit offered great entertainment as riders fought for positions and concentrated hard on remaining on the track.

Poggiali put in a valiant effort defending his position in the closing stages of the race whilst still recovering from the thump he received during the second qualifying practice.

A number of riders fell victim to the underpass, sliding from the sodden track into the gravel in a variety of spectacular crashes. The collection of broken bikes behind the barr were enough to make a wreckers yard proud.

Amongst them was Chaz Davies, the fifteen year-old from Great Britain, whrieo achieved one of his aims in qualifying for his first ever grand prix, but was unlucky to be unable to complete the race.

The first three riders crossed the finish line in the order Vincent, Giansanti, Poggiali; all jubilant of their achievements.

1. Arnaud Vincent
2. Mirko Giansanti
3. Manuel Poggiali
4. Noboru Ueda
5. Simone Sanna
6. Shuhei Aokyama
7. Angel Rodriguez
8. Daniel Pedrosa
9. Lucio Cecchinello
10. Gino Borsoi

Full results to follow.