Di Meglio takes 125cc title with Phillip Island victory

As Valentino Rossi had done last weekend at Motegi in the premier class, Mike di Meglio took the 125cc World Championship crown with a victory at the Australian Grand Prix. The Frenchman capped off a great weekend and a fantastic season with his fourth win of 2008, having led for almost the entire race.

The Ajo Motorsport rider had started from pole, although he was beaten to the first corner by Polaris World´s Bradley Smith. A crash for the Briton left a clear track ahead for the World Championship leader, who soon broke free to put a considerable gap between himself and his rivals.

Winner of the last round in Japan, Stefan Bradl continued his rostrum form from five of the six most recent Grands Prix, coming home a comfortable second to Di Meglio. The German was some ten seconds down on his rival, but still held a solid advantage over Gabor Talmacsi and Andrea Iannone –the two riders battling for the final podium spot. Talmacsi ensured that the top three riders from Japan returned to Cava-spraying duties.

Pol Espargaro came home in fifth, ahead of Sandro Cortese who had crashed on the second lap but picked his Emmi-Caffe Latte Aprilia up to continue the race. They were involved in an entertaining tussle with Repsol KTM riders Esteve Rabat and Marc Marquez, the latter crossing the line seventh but relegated to ninth after being hit with a 1 second penalty for his move on Simone Corsi. Eighth place finisher Corsi conceded the 125cc title by failing to place fifth or higher.

The top ten was completed by British rider Scott Redding.