Moto2: Simoncelli wins battle for victory
Championship leader Marco Simoncelli gave his 250cc title hopes a boost after holding off title rival Alvaro Bautista for victory at Motegi
Alex Debon led at the start but pole man Simoncelli took the lead before lap one was complete, opening a small lead before coming under attack from Julian Simon before he dropped away and was replaced a couple of laps later by Bautista.
Bautista set several fastest laps, including a new 250cc lap record, but couldn't get past Simoncelli, with backmarkers getting in the way on lap 21 of 23 ending any hopes he had of beating Simoncelli.
Simon's slower pace in the closing laps allowed Alex Debon to take third place, with Simon just behind in fourth, both riders nearly ten seconds behind the top two.
After looking strong in qualifying, the Red Bull KTMs of Mika Kallio and Hiroshi Aoyama struggled in the race, Kallio finishing fifth, over fifteen seconds behind the winner, with Aoyama finishing ninth after starting second.
CLASSIFIED:
Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 43:09.385
2. Alvaro Bautista Aprilia + 0.348
3. Alex Debon Aprilia + 8.414
4. Julian Simon Ktm + 9.151
5. Mika Kallio Ktm + 17.041
6. Yuki Takahashi Honda + 19.632
7. Aleix Espargaro Aprilia + 19.892
8. Mattia Pasini Aprilia + 20.442
9. Hiroshi Aoyama Ktm + 22.303
10. Roberto Locatelli Gilera + 22.387
11. Hector Faubel Aprilia + 32.851
12. Lukas Pesek Aprilia + 48.621
13. Ratthapark Wilairot Honda + 48.803
14. Shoya Tomizawa Honda + 49.572
15. Fabrizio Lai Gilera + 58.045
16. Alex Baldolini Aprilia + 58.362
17. Takumi Takahashi Honda +1:15.062
18. Doni Tata Pradita Yamaha +1:49.930
19. Manuel Hernandez Aprilia +1:58.603
20. Daniel Arcas Aprilia + 1 lap
21. Takumi Endoh Yamaha + 1 lap
22. Imre Toth Aprilia + 1 lap
23. Yuuki Ito Yamaha + 3 laps
NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS:
Rider Bike Laps
Simone Grotzkyj Gilera 0
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