Weekly European news!!!!
After conquering the 125cc title last week at Phillip Island, courtesy of Spanish star Julian Simon, AXO also clinched the runner up spot of the smaller class thanks to Bradley Smith, who, with one race to go, secured enough of a gap on the rivals to take a fantastic second spot in the 125cc class. This is Smith’s best finish in his Grand Prix career, and also confirms an amazing 2009 1-2 for AXO!
The 125cc Malaysian Grand Prix followed the script of the previous week's Australian race almost to the letter, both in its main players and the development of the plot: Smith was once again in a fight with teammate Simon, but this time the Briton nearly made an escape to victory. On lap three Simón pulled away, but Smith reacted and made two fast laps to try and create space between them. In the end the duel saw the Spaniard victorious, following up on his title triumph.
The third member of the AXO team, Sergio Gadea, started from eighteenth and made a fantastic recovery for the fourth place. The Spaniard rode at his very best and eventually benefitted from some good fortune when at full throttle, taking no small amount of risks, came very close to a podium finish in Sepang.
The MotoGP was also good for AXO, thanks to Chris Vermeulen, who again showed his skills in wet conditions, as he powered his Suzuki GSV-R through the field, to take sixth place at a rain-soaked Sepang.
Some hours later, the last round of the Superbike World Championship kicked off at Portimao, where our Michel Fabrizio, fifth in Race 1, made a great recovery from eleventh position at the start of Race 2, to eventually win the race, thus consolidating his third position in the final championship standings. In 2009, Michel put in a series of great results, clocking up 15 podiums, 3 of which were race win.
Michel Fabrizio: “The first race was very difficult. I didn’t make the best start but immediately started to push to make up time. In Race 2 on the other hand I was able to fight hard against Rea. The last time we raced together, at Misano, he got past me so it was my turn to do the same to him today. It was only for the fact that Rea made a mistake on the last lap that I was able to pass him as he was very strong today. I am very sorry for Nori, of course, but we demonstrated that we are strong and I must say I am very happy about my final result in the Championship!”
And what to say of the Supermoto, where AXO rider Ivan Lazzarini dominated both motos to clinch the first step of the podium of his home GP: staring from pole, the Honda rider took both the holeshots and led the two races from the start to the chequered flag. Due to this result, Lazzarini storms to second in the provisional standings, 19 points behind leader Van Den Bosch, with one race left to go.