Title twist after Simoncelli takes another win

Another solid fourth placed finish for Hiroshi Aoyama (Scot Racing) saw him extend his title advantage to 26 points at the bwin.com Grande Prémio de Portugal after Álvaro Bautista (Mapfre Aspar) crashed out early on, whilst World Champion Marco Simoncelli (Metis Gilera) brought himself back into the championship fight with another win.

Bautista’s engine appeared to seize up on lap four causing him to crash out, leaving Simoncelli to take his fifth win of the year – and his fourth in the last six rounds – putting the Italian two points behind the Spaniard in the standings.

Behind Simoncelli, Mike di Meglio (Mapfre Aspar) and Héctor Barberá (Pepe World Team) crossed the line neck and neck, and although they were given exactly the same race time second place was awarded to Di Meglio (who had performed the fastest lap of the two riders), whilst Aoyama rode steadily to fourth place.

The Japanese rider finished 12 seconds slower than Simoncelli but leaves Portugal in a stronger position than he arrived in. In fifth place following Aoyama across the line two seconds back was Jules Cluzel (Matteoni Racing), whilst Ratthapark Wilairot (Thai Honda PTT SAG) did well to finish sixth.

The top ten was completed by Thomas Luthi (Emmi - Caffe Latte), Mattia Pasini (Team Globalgest), Alex Debon (Aeropuerto-Castello-Blusens) and Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing).