Fabrizio Lai wins best 250cc privateer prize

Despite a crash which prevented him from finishing the first lap in Sunday's Gran Premio bwin.com de la Comunitat Valenciana 250cc contest, Campetella Racing's Fabrizio Lai has won the Michel Metraux Trophy for best 2007 privateer in the quarter litre class.

In 14th place and on 49 points in the general standings the rider from Milan had a six point advantage over Aleix Espargaro of Blusens Aprilia Germany going into the final round of the season.

But the Italian's first lap crash was ultimately inconsequential in terms of World Championship positions as Spaniard Espargaro came home 12th at Valencia and therefore only gained four points.

"I'm disappointed to have ended the season with a crash but unfortunately someone bumped into my bike and I found myself on the ground on the third corner," explained Lai. "Luckily I've escaped almost unhurt the crash, I've just banged my left foot that now hurts me a lot."

"I'm happy to have won the Michel Metraux trophy as best private rider," he continued. "I think I deserve it, because even though we've had some problems in the last few races of the year, up until Estoril we had a great season. Now I'll take some rest and recharge my batteries, to get ready for next year."