Simoncelli wins second consecutive 250cc race

Marco Simoncelli cut the lead in the 250cc World Championship to just three points with his second consecutive race victory, which came after a thrilling last lap battle with Alvaro Bautista.

Whilst there may have been controversy surrounding his Mugello maiden win, the Metis Gilera rider´s latest triumph was inarguably a clean one. Bautista had just to hold Simoncelli off on the 23rd and final lap, but found himself experiencing yet more bad luck as the in-form Italian pressured him into running wide.

Attempting to make up ground, Mapfre Aspar rider Bautista could not close Simoncelli down on the final corners, and had to settle for second place in a race that by all accounts should have been his.

The previous man to lose out to Simoncelli, Hector Barbera completed the podium places at his home race. The Team Toth Aprilia rider had been fighting early on with the leading duo, but could not avoid a breakaway and had simply to keep his cool and round off the rostrum.

Alex Debon came in fourth, continuing his assault on the title, whilst Thomas Luthi and Mattia Pasini also featured in the top six.

Hiroshi Aoyama was the highest placing KTM rider in seventh, with teammate and World Championship leader Mika Kallio forced into retirement with a mechanical failure for the first time this season.

Hector Faubel, Julian Simon and Lukas Pesek were the final threesome in the top ten.