Moto3: Cortese could clinch title in Japan

Sandro Cortese will start this Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix with a 51-point lead in the Moto3 World Championship standings, which gives him a mathematical chance of securing the title at Motegi.

In order for Cortese to be crowned with three rounds still remaining, the young German must win Sunday's race with nearest rival Luis Salom failing to score any points and Maverick Viñales failing to finish on the podium.

If Cortese does win the title this year, in addition to becoming the first ever Moto3 champion he would also be the first German rider to win the lightweight class world title since Dirk Raudies in 1993 - and the first ever rider to take a road-racing world title for KTM.

Cortese will step up to the Moto2 class in 2013.