Preview - Japanese Grand Prix.

Nicky Hayden arrives at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix with a 21 point MotoGP World Championship lead, with just three rounds still to go.

The 2.983 mile Motegi circuit is the home of Honda and they will be expecting a strong performance from the young American to improve his lead now that there are just three rounds remaining and Valentino Rossi is still chasing.

Last year both Rossi on the Camel Yamaha and Hayden on the Repsol Honda had a tough time at Motegi. The World Champ crashed and took Marco Melandri down with him, whilst Hayden struggled home in a lowly seventh place. Both riders will be hoping for better luck this time round.

The last time Rossi took a win at Motegi it was back in 2001 on a 500cc Honda. Previous winners include Loris Capirossi who brought Marlboro Ducati a morale- boosting win last year while Makoto Tamada won his home race in 2004.

Melandri moved into third place in the Championship following his third win of the season at the undulating Phillip Island in Australia. He is 32 points off Hayden and is 11 behind Rossi but even if he can't win the title, the Italian is capable of winning more races and taking points from the other protagonists.

Phillip Island was a disaster for Dani Pedrosa who only picked up a single point in 15th place. He is now on equal points with Melandri and will need an action replay of his victory in the 250cc race two years ago if he's going to remain in the title chase.

Kenny Roberts won the race in 2000 on the 500cc Suzuki and will be looking to put his disappointing time in Australia behind him and consolidate his seventh place in the championship where he currently trails Australian Casey Stoner by 16 points.

Chris Vermeulen will make his Motegi debut on the Rizla Suzuki off the back of his second place finish at Phillip Island while another former World Superbike star, American Colin Edwards should be fit after his crash on Sunday.

James Ellison who struggled with tyre woes in Australia knows time is running out with the Tech 3 Yamaha team but he's determined to make people sit up and take notice of him in the last three races. It is a good opportunity to put himself in the shop window for next season.