Can Edwards do it again?  The weather looks a little dodgy and there is a small chance of rain.....

They're away - Bayliss leads them into turn 1 then Bostrom, Corser and Edwards but Bostrom gets through on Bayliss for the lead and then another corner later Corser relegated Bayliss to 3rd.  Bostrom is using lots of rear brake into the corners and swaying from side to side on the way in.

They start lap 2 - Bostrom, Corser, Bayliss, Edwards, Hodgson, Yanagawa.  

Young Broc Parkes in 12th, Martin 18th, Craggill 19th.  Yanagawa into the kitty litter.

Bostrom is clearing out, Edwards is trying repeatedly to put a move on Corser for 2nd after relegating Bayliss to 4th a couple of corners earlier.  

Bostrom has a 1.1 second lead as they commence lap 3.  Edwards is still right on the tail of Corser, there he goes up into 2nd.  Bayliss is now right on the tail of Corser.

America, America, Australia, Australia - Not quite the order we are accustomed to but there is a long way to go yet.  Okada through on Hodgson and up into 5th, let's hope his VTR can last the distance for the first time this year.  Martin and Craggill are 19th and 20th respectively.

Edwards closing a little on Bostrom and the Texan just set a new lap record.  Corser has opened a bit of a gap over Bayliss who soon may be threatened by Okada but the Japanese rider may have passed Hodgson under a yellow so we will have to wait and see if he gets a penalty.

1 second now between Bostrom and Edwards with 19 laps to run.  Toseland ahead of Parkes for 12th in the battle of the young guns.

The lap record gets broken again but this time by Okada.  Edwards now definitely closer to Bostrom, Bayliss looking for a way through on Corser but will have his work cut out for him.  

Bayliss now through on Corser for 3rd, Edwards really pressuring Bostrom now but Bostrom is going in sideways which may make it a little hard for Edwards to take him on the way in but I don't think it will be too long until he takes him on he way out.

Another lap record, this time it goes to Edwards once again.  15 laps to run.

Edwards may well thinking that just sitting behind Bostrom may be the wise move as it looks like the Ducati rider is in a win or crash type of mood and is so on the edge and nearly dumped it on that last lap.  Toseland up into 10th, Parkes 13th.

Bayliss has a big lead over Corser but not as big the gap he has in front of him if he has to catch Edwards which at this stage of the race does not look likely.

Hodgson, Xaus and Laconi are battling for 5th.

Edwards closing on Bostrom again and will be in a position to show him a wheel shortly if he chooses.  Edwards nearly has a go under brakes but thinks better of it and hangs back a little once again.

Bayliss is closing on the leading duo a little but is still over 2.5 seconds behind.  Edwards has a go once again but pulls out of the move at the last possible moment.

Corser is still in 4th but Hodgson is closing on him a little. 11 laps to run.

Again, Edwards sticks it under but pulls out but then the next corner he makes one stick.  10 laps to run now and I think it quite possible that Edwards will clear out from Bostrom now.

Something has happened to Edwards!  Maybe it nipped up or something, he is now cruising.  Okada has already retired again this race and now Edwards' Honda has packed up also, possible Hara-kiri happening tonight in Japan I think.

Bostrom now once again the leader after Edwards' retirement with Bayliss now only 2.4 seconds behind with 10 laps to go.  Bayliss is getting serious now he sees a chance for the top of the podium and is visibly pushing harder.  But Bostrom has turned up the heat again now and has stretched his lead out to 3 seconds.  Toseland's bike failed.

5 laps to run and Bostrom leads by over 3 seconds from Bayliss who in turn has around 8 seconds on Corser.  Parkes in 11th, Martin 17th.

2 laps to run and nothing has changed for a few laps, Bostrom still letting it all hang out but looking good doing it.