Simoncelli and Bautista Battle

Marco Simoncelli was the latest winner in fierce battle between himself and Alvaro Bautista at Phillip Island on the weekend. The Gilera and Aprilia riders streaked ahead of the pack during the race and entertained the solid Australian crowd with a thrilling two-way dice. Touching more than once in the fight to finish line.

Mika Kallio managed to draft and slingshot past fellow KTM rider Julian Simon across the line by just 0.028 seconds. Alex Debon, Roberto Locatelli and Yuki Takahashi were part of a tight struggle for fifth position ahead of Aleix Espargaro in eight and Thai rider Rattapark Wilairot in ninth on the underdeveloped Honda. Fabrizio Lai rounded out the top ten.

Kalio’s Red Bull KTM Teammate Hiroshi Aoyama failed to finish after mechanical failure, the Japanese rider taking out his frustration on the team sponsor displays back in the garage. Mattia Pasini and Hector Faubel also continued thier season’s peppering of bad luck with DNF’s. Both Aprilia riders crashing but avoiding injury.

Hector Barbera missed the race and is likely to be out for the rest of the season after being injured during practice for Motegi.

Marco Simonceli leads the World Championship by 37 points on 240 from Alvaro Bautista on 203 points and Mika Kalio on 191 with two rounds remaining.