Ducati's Australian wonderboy Casey Stoner could deliver a historic blow to Japan's motorcycling tradition if he clinches the MotoGP world title on Sunday.
As well as handing Ducati its first MotoGP championship ever, by taking the MotoGP crown Stoner would also become the first rider in 33 years to become world champion without Japanese bike.
Doing this at the Japanese Grand Prix, in front of thousands of Honda and Yamaha fans, would rub salt into wound.
The 21-year-old Australian has said he wants to clinch the 2007 title with his ninth victory of the season. But even if he doesn't win at Motegi, he only has to cross the line before Yamaha's Valentino Rossi to grab the championship anyway.
"This time I'm going to give priority to the bike's set up, even if it means I don't start in pole position," Stoner said at a pre-race press conference, indicating his reluctance to take any risks when he is a few points from glory.
Italy's Rossi, five times world champion in the top class, is 75 points behind Stoner and has already practically conceded defeat in the title race.
But last week's win in Portugal showed that he's still up for a fight and all of Japan will be hoping he can make Stoner wait a little longer for his champion's crown.
"My objective is to stay in front of Stoner so as to keep the championship race alive," Rossi said in Motegi, a track which he admits to not liking much.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
Meanwhile, back in Italy, Ducati is relishing the moment and clearly believes its time has come. A mega-video screen has been set up at Ducati headquarters near Bologna to allow local fans of the team to watch the race live.
But there should be support for the team in Japan too. All 900 seats in the Ducati spectators' box at Montegi were snapped up in six hours when sales opened on the internet last week.
The last time an Italian team scored a success at the top level of motorcycling was in 1973 when Britain's Phil Read won the 500cc title with MV Agusta.
As well as the more prestigious rider's championship, Ducati looks set to win the manufacturers' contest. It now has 299 points, compared to Honda's 239 and Yamaha's 238.
If Stoner comes away from Japan without his rider's title, he will still have three races left to clinch it, including the next one on the schedule, which is in his Australian homeland.
The Ducati rider denied suggestions that he might be tempted to save his moment of glory for Australia.
"I did say that I would like to win the title in Australia, in front of my own crowd, but wherever it happens is fine by me. I would have liked to celebrate last week in Portugual and I'd like to here, as soon as possible".
Celebrations, if they take place, would undoubtedly be good for business. Ducati's marketing department for Japan already reckons sales in that country will close this year 10% higher than last on the back of the racing team's success.
