125s: Simon howler gifts Iannone victory

Eurosport - Sun, 14 Jun 16:28:00 2009

Andrea Iannone won the 125cc Catalan GP after race leader Julian Simon celebrated what he thought was victory in his home race a lap early.

MOTORCYCLING 2009 Catalan GP Cataluña Julian Simon Julián Simón Andrea Iannone - 0

Simon's compatriots Nicolas Terol and Sergio Gadea ended up second and third respectively - the latter snatching the final podium spot by millimetres to complete an all-Aprilia podium.

Yet Simon thought he had done enough to rescue third place after his error after he had drawn alonside Gadea before seeming to snatch third, but post-race examination of the photo finish gave third to Gadea.

Fellow Spaniard Marc Marquez and 15-year German Jonas Folger were close behind, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.

British star Bradley Smith came eighth after a battle with German Stefan Bradl, who held him off after passing with nine laps remaining.

Smith, the championship leader at the start of the weekend, is now second with 82.5 points while Simon is the new leader on 84 despite the error that may have cost him victory.

Iannone (71.5) is still third but has opened up a gap after Pol Espargaro was forced out of the race from third after losing power on lap five.

Gadea (59) is fourth ahead of Terol (57.5), Marquez (49), Folger (45) and Sandro Cortese (45), who finished ninth behind Smith.

MotoGP Catalunya: Watch highlights of the MotoGP, 125cc and 250cc races on British Eurosport or the Eurosport Player at 19:30 on Sunday; Also available on your PC via the Player are the complete races, without commentary - click on the link under the photo to subscribe

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. In reply to ggd_vxr_opel_1995 I was at the GP and Simon­ wasn't geered as he left parc ferme infact we­ applauded him as he walked to his garage along pitlane­ infront of the main stand. Simon then came out onto the­ track, after a heated discussion with his pit crew­ chief, bowed, applauded the crowd then put his hand on­ his heart then pointed to the stand.
    I think if he was­ geered at he wouldn't have done that........ Would­ he???

    From Martie_46, on Tue 16 Jun 4:57PM

  2. potts95 what the hell are you on you will have to­ interpret i only speak english

    From frank, on Mon 15 Jun 7:57PM

  3. wat about reading webb n holye all are doing great good­ 2 c british riders to cheer on when donny comes round n­ rossi of course

    From Potts95, on Mon 15 Jun 6:35PM

  4. to rob why is it that british fans do as you have done,­ the boy had a bad result as all sportsmen do, so what­ do people like you do? you instantly lose what little­ faith you had. the boy is having a brilliant season, he­ is without a doubt the best prospect we have had since­ bazza so what he doesnt need is for his so called fans­ to start having digs at him, look at the bigger picture­ he is in second place in the championship 1 and a half­ points behind the leader, lets big him up and help him­ to get back on track

    From frank, on Mon 15 Jun 6:27PM

  5. I nearly fell off my chair laughing it was the funniest­ end to a race and continued into parc ferme, what a­ blast.

    From GEORGE, on Mon 15 Jun 7:57AM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    What was little Smithys problem today? Being­ championship leader perhaps? Britain does prefer­ "brave" losers, so maybe he said been there­ and done that? I had hopes that he had the goolies to­ make a fist of this championship

    From Rob, on Mon 15 Jun 6:24AM

  7. it was his teams fault they showed one lap left on his­ pit board when there was 2 laps to go and when they­ realised they put the right number on the pit board and­ were frantically pointing at it even though the damage­ was done because he thought he had already won .
    very­ poor and then he gets booted out of parc ferme... not a­ good day

    From geoffrey, on Mon 15 Jun 12:12AM

  8. apparently he was looking at the official pit baord­ instead of his own teams one and the sed last lap when­ there was 2 to go lol but overall its mostly his error­ ! well done iannone thought and VAleeeeeeeeeeeee today­ everyday the doctor completes yet another operation ! x­
    46 always x

    and f**K those catalyan W***KERS whoed­ booes simoncelli isit coz he beat all the spanish last­ year and is just soo off the chain lol no wonder the­ rest of spain hate you lot lol.

    From vale46, on Sun 14 Jun 11:39PM

  9. It doesn't really matter now, but out of interest,­ who made the mistake, was it Julian, or the team?

    From Only Human After All, on Sun 14 Jun 9:08PM

  10. i think it was last years laguna seca.. But he won ...

    From g4unner, on Sun 14 Jun 12:39PM

  11. hi
    it happend to rossi too, where? who remembers?

    From tam, on Sun 14 Jun 11:10AM
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