Cal Crutchlow and Colin Edwards to race in Japan

British rider Cal Crutchlow and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate Colin Edwards have confirmed today that they will definitely race in the re-scheduled Japanese MotoGP round in early October.

Both had been reluctant to travel to the Twin Ring Motegi because of concerns over possible radiation leaks from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

The plant was badly damaged in a devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan back in March, which forced the postponement of the Motegi race that should have taken place on April 24.

A rider boycott had threatened the race in early October, but an independent report commissioned by Dorna recently showed the risk of radiation contamination in the area around the Honda-owned circuit to be minimal.

Since the report was published during the recent summer break, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo have softened their hardline stance on the Japanese race.

Both were initially adamant they would not compete but now both say they have not ruled out not participating based on the latest evidence released by Italian university experts, who conducted a thorough investigation on behalf of Dorna.

The first riders to confirm they will definitely race in Japan though are Crutchlow and Edwards after Herve Poncharal’s Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team released a statement in Brno tonight. It read: “After carefully considering the findings of a detailed independent report commissioned by Dorna into the possible risk of radiation contamination in and around the area surrounding the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, Colin Edwards, Cal Crutchlow and the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team can confirm that unless there is a change in circumstances, they will compete in the Japanese MotoGP race on October 2.”