MotoGP in Japan to Go Ahead

The Japanese MotoGP is set to go ahead in October despite leading riders refusing to go.

The International Motorcycling Federation said the race at Motegi will be held after receiving an encouraging preliminary report.

It follows the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear emergency that stuck the country in March.

The preliminary overview of the report claims that "the radiation risk during the race event is negligible".

The full report - which looked at radiation levels from a number of sources including air, environment and food - will be published later this week.

In a statement, the FIM confirmed that "based on this information the FIM will announce later this week that, subject to there being no further serious incidents, the Grand Prix of Japan will take place on October 2 as planned".

The Motegi circuit is situated less than 100 miles from the site of the Fukushima nuclear plant, which suffered meltdowns and nuclear leaks in the wake of the devastating magnitude 9.0 quake and subsequent tsunami on March 11.

Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo and current series leader Casey Stoner have already stated that they do not intend to take part in October's race, which has been rescheduled from its original date of April 24.