Catalunya GP: KTM dominate 125 podium

KTM’s Tommy Koyama has won the 125 race in Catalunya, his first win after an eight year spell in the championship.
The Japanese rider took the victory by a fraction of a second from Gabor Talmasci on the Aspar Aprilia and Koyama’s team-mate, Randy Krummenacher.
Up until today Krummenacher’s best finish was thirteenth making him one of the surprise performances of the day.
Another outstanding ride of the day was by Catalan local Pol Espagaro who crossed the line in fifth on his 16th birthday ahead of Britain’s Bradley Smith in sixth.
Smith started from fourth on the grid and stuck with the leading pack all race but his Honda never looked capable of holding the pace of the Aprilia’s and KTM’s.
In the opening stages of the race Mattia Pasini, a championship favourite at the start of the year, suffered another mechanical failure putting him out of the race.
The Italian rider had moments before overtaken Bradley Smith but ended his race weekend in the gravel at turn one kicking lumps out of his Polaris World Aprilia.
Hector Faubel, who lead the championship at the green light, was taken out in the closing laps by close rival Lukas Pesek meaning Talmasci has retaken the championship lead with a third place finish.

RESULT

1. Koyama
2. Talmacsi
3. Krummenacher
4. Gadea
5. Espagaro
6. Smith
7. Corsi
8. Olive
9. Bradl
10. Ranseder

26. Webb