Talmacsi takes assured victory in Misano opener

Reigning 125cc World Champion Gabor Talmacsi further aided his quest to retain the title with a masterful victory at Misano. The Hungarian clearly set the fastest race pace over the 23-lap contest, with the kind of consistency that permitted him to make a mid-race slip-up and still take the chequered flag ahead of his rivals.

Having taken off from pole position for the third race in succession, Talmacsi had –aside from losing the first corner holeshot- been leading the way comfortably until lap eleven. The Bancaja Aspar rider saw his advantage overcome when he wobbled on a corner which later claimed series leader Mike di Meglio, Talmacsi´s trouble letting Bradley Smith pass him. The title holder had to start from scratch, but reeled in Smith and extended a lead over the Briton to win by more than 2.5 seconds.

Smith equaled his best ever Grand Prix result with second place, riding a solitary race after Talmacsi had broken free. Behind him, the fight for the final podium spot became the battle of the race, with a heartbreaking conclusion for Joan Olive. The Spaniard crashed on the final corner under pressure from Simone Corsi, who held his nerve for a rostrum return.

World Championship rookie Marc Marquez came home fourth, with Nico Terol and Andrea Iannone also in the top six. Sandro Cortese, Dominique Aegerter, Esteve Rabat and Sergio Gadea completed the first ten past the line.

Di Meglio continues to lead the overall classification, with his advantage over Corsi reduced to 28 points. Talmacsi moves up a place to third, a further eleven points down.