Bradl and Cortese have chance at home glory this weekend

Wednesday, 9 July 2008

Home advantage has proved vital over the course of the 2008 125cc season, with three victories by local heroes from the opening nine races.

Series leader Mike di Meglio thrilled the French in Le Mans, Simone Corsi pulled off an `Italian Job´ at Mugello, and Scott Redding made history with his victory at Donington Park. Now hopes lie with two German riders as the series heads to Sachsenring - Stefan Bradl and Sandro Cortese each hoping for their own piece of home glory.

History is stacked against the duo, with five long years since the last German win of any kind in the World Championship. Steve Jenkner holds that particular honour, courtesy of a triumph on Dutch soil in Assen back in 2003, whilst the last 125cc home winner in Germany came in 1994 with Dirk Raudies.

The latter victory took place at the Nurburgring circuit, and since the switch to Sachsenring no German rider has repeated Raudies´ achievement. The closest to 125cc glory in the ten races held at the track has been Jenkner, who finished third in 2002.

Bradl and Cortese lie sixth and tenth in the 125cc World Championship, respectively.