Yamaha stꦺand-in Katsuyuki Nakasuga caused the surprise of the day at the Valencia MotoGP finale, where he finished second - from 16th on the grid - and in only his third premier-class race!

The Japan💟ese test rider, appearing in place of the injured Ben Spies, was one of the few who gambled on slick tyres t☂o start the race in damp conditions.

As for his illustrious team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, the decision pai🦋d off and Nakasuga jumped up to fourth place by lap four, as other riders came in to change rubber.

After moving into third, Nakasuga looked set to miss out on a rostrum when he was overtaken by Cal Crutchlow on lap 13 of 30 - but Lorenzo and later Crutchlow both c𝕴rashed out, moving Nakasuga to second🐭!

Although 37s behind winner Dani Pedrosaꦿ, the 31-year-old was in turn over twenty-seco🎉nds clear of Casey Stoner.

The four-time All Japan Superbike Champion had further cause for celebration with his sec♈ond son, Haruto, being born on Saturd♛ay evening!

"I'm so very h🐬appy with this result, the conditions were very difficult today," heဣ said. "It was a tough race but the team were amazing and I have to thank them for making the best choice for my set up for the race.

"It is like a dream or a miracle for me t🌠o be on the podium as the qualifying was not so good. I want to thank Yamaha for giving me this special opportunity to race here in ꧃MotoGP, it has been amazing."

Nakasuga, who finished sixth as a stand-in for Lorenzo in the damp 2011 race, is the only Japanese rider to have stood on the podium this season in🌠 any motorcycle grand prix class.

"For Nakasuga-san it has been a fairytale day, we are so happy for him and proud of his achievement," said Yamaha team director M⛄assimo Meregalli. "After a difficult 🔯season it was also a great result for Ben's crew who deserved this podium today. I would like to wish them all the best for the future."

Valentino Rossi, and his mechanics, are returning to Yamaha for 2013, while Spies is s🔥witching to Pramac Ducati.