Moto2: Simoncelli holds on to take win
Marco Simoncelli moved a step closer to the 250cc title with victory over Alvaro Bautista in the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island
Simoncelli won after a near race-long battle between the pair, which always looked likely to end in Simoncelli's favour, as Simoncelli quickly replied every time Bautista was able to take the lead, the two riders coming close to contact more than once.
The win extends Simoncelli's lead over Bautista to 37 points, with Mika Kallio the only other rider (just) still in contention with two rounds and 50 points remaining.
A similar battle to the battle for the win was fought for third position, Kallio winning the slipstream battle to the chequered flag to beat Julian Simon by 0.028 seconds to reclaim the final podium position, the pair almost fifteen seconds behind Simoncelli at the finish.
Another ten seconds further back Alex Debon won the battle for fifth place, edging out Roberto Locatelli and Yuki Takahashi by less than two-tenths of a second.
CLASSIFIED:
Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 39:02.553
2. Alvaro Bautista Aprilia + 0.223
3. Mika Kallio KTM + 14.450
4. Julian Simon KTM + 14.478
5. Alex Debon Aprilia + 26.226
6. Roberto Locatelli Gilera + 26.392
7. Yuki Takahashi Honda + 26.434
8. Aleix Espargaro Aprilia + 40.546
9. Ratthapark Wilairot Honda +1:00.219
10. Fabrizio Lai Gilera +1:20.825
11. Karel Abraham Aprilia +1:22.802
12. Alex Baldolini Aprilia +1:22.864
13. Imre Toth Aprilia +1:23.995
14. Lukas Pesek Aprilia +1:39.740
15. Simone Grotzkyj Gilera + 1 lap
16. Daniel Arcas Aprilia + 1 lap
17. Doni Tata Pradita Yamaha + 1 lap
NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS:
Rider Bike Laps
Hiroshi Aoyama KTM 15
Mattia Pasini Aprilia 15
Hector Faubel Aprilia 4
Federico Sandi Aprilia 1
Manuel Hernandez Aprilia 1
Share Or Save This Story
Aragon Moto2: Simone Corsi takes first pole of 2012
Marc Marquez takes last-gasp Moto2 Indianapolis GP pole from Simone Corsi
Moto2: Simon on pole for Sepang Moto2
Why wet Canadian GP will be "the perfect storm" for F1
BTCC Snetterton: Rainford dominates to lead home Ingram
Why we need to talk about social media in F1
Super Formula Suzuka: Fukuzumi sees off Iwasa for Rookie Racing's first win
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments