Bradl opens 125cc win account with Czech victory

Starting from thirteenth on the grid at Brno, Stefan Bradl became the third 125cc rider to win a first Grand Prix in 2008 with an assured ride.

Ending a long drought for German riders in the World Championship, the Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing rider worked his way up to the frontrunners on the opening laps, before taking the lead definitively just before the midway stage. A series of fastest laps allowed Bradl to break free, putting enough of a gap between himself and the podium battle to avoid any late surprises.

The Czech Republic win was Bradl´s third career podium, coming off the back of his home runner-up spot at the recent German round of the 125cc series.

World Championship leader Mike di Meglio set himself the task of stalking Bradl on the final laps of the race, closing the gap down to under a second as the lap counter ticked down. The Ajo Motorsport rider was unable to catch the eventual winner, but extended his lead in the standings with a sixth podium of the 2008 season.

The large Hungarian following present at Brno to cheer on Gabor Talmacsi left without the chance to see their hero on the podium, as the Mapfre Aspar rider missed out on the podium in a final lap duel with Joan Olive. A last gasp attempt to draft the Spaniard was unsuccessful, and the reigning 125cc World Champion was eliminated from the rostrum by less than a tenth of a second.

Nico Terol and Bradley Smith were both involved in the early fight from the front row of the grid, but tailed off towards the end of the 19-lap race to finish fifth and sixth, respectively. Sandro Cortese, Pol Espargaro, Andrea Iannone and Simone Corsi concluded the top ten.