Monday, October 22, 2007

Lorenzo 250cc Champion

Jorge Lorenzo wrapped up his second consecutive 250cc title, one round early, by finishing third in a thrilling Malaysian Grand Prix - won by Hiroshi Aoyama.

Lorenzo needed to score just five points in Malaysia, even if nearest rival Andrea Dovizioso won the race, but the Fortuna Aprilia star wanted much more and took the lead from Dovi at the halfway mark.

The Italian responded and remained in Lorenzo's slipstream, and the pair were then caught by KTM team-mates Hiroshi Aoyama and Mika Kallio - with Hector Barbera also in tow!

The top five exchanged blows until the penultimate lap, when class rookie Kallio launched an over-optimistic out braking move into the final hairpin - and took out race leader Dovizioso. That allowed Aoyama to inherit a lead he held to the finish, while Barbera took second place ahead of countryman Lorenzo. Aspar Aprilia riders Alvaro Bautista and Alex de Angelis both failed to finish.

Lorenzo celebrated his final 250cc title by changing into a gold-coloured boxer's dressing gown and gloves before a tearful Jorge 'danced' his way into parc ferme to collect a mock championship belt!

125cc


Having seen team-mate and title rival Hector Faubel close to within one point, Gabor Talmacsi will now head to the 125cc season finale with a ten point lead after a dominant victory at Sepang.

Talmacsi was quickly up front and pulling away hand-over-fist from the opposition, while pole sitter Faubel was left to try and limit the damage within a hectic eight-rider fight for second position.

The Hungarian Aspar Aprilia rider went on to win by 6.753secs after backing off in the closing stages, while team-mate Faubel was fourth with two laps to go. The Spaniard managed to overhaul Joan Olive on the final lap, but KTM's Tommy Koyama remained out of reach.

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