Simple Simón explanation clears up costly lap count error

The difference between victory and disaster in Grand Prix racing can often come down to just the smallest of details, and that was –in the most bizarre of fashions- the case for Julián Simón on Sunday in Barcelona.

A discrepancy between the lap numbering system used by the Bancaja Aspar team and the Circuit de Catalunya left the Spaniard prematurely celebrating a victory as he crossed the line for the penultimote time. The move effectively gifted a win to rival Andrea Iannone,

Explaining the costly error, Simón said: “Here the cronometry Works differently to at other tracks. When they put up L1 it is really the second lap, because the final lap is shown by showing a zero.

”It was a pity, as I cut the gas a bit and had completely forgotten to look for the chequered flag, and only reacted when the other riders passed me at top speed. I had to go back to fighting for the podium.”

Simón’s woes didn’t end with his confusing crossing of the line, however, as he came up short in a video finish for third with teammate Sergio Gadea. The rostrum was the Aspar team’s 200th in Grand Prix competition, and without doubt the most eventful as Simón was ushered away from parc fermé.

Small consolation comes from the fact that the Spaniard regained the lead of the World Championship, 1.5 points ahead of Bradley Smith.