Simoncelli champ, Smith second

Eurosport - Sun, 19 Oct 12:35:00 2008

Marco Simoncelli clinched the 250cc MotoGP world championship in Malaysia while Britain's Bradley Smith was second in the 125cc race.

250cc: Simoncelli wins title, Bautista wins

Marco Simoncelli secured the 250cc world title with one race to spare after claiming the podium finish he needed to give himself an unassailable lead over Hector Barbera.

The crazy-haired Italian (pictured) takes a 28-point lead over his rival Bautista into the final round, with only 25 up for grabs.

Speaking after a race run in searing heat, a visibly drained Simoncelli said: "I'm happy! I am not to good because I am so hot but it's wonderful. I can't speak, I'm sorry! It's wonderful, thanks to everyone."

Aprilia man Bautista romped to a superb victory ahead of Hiroshi Aoyama but, with the top three well ahead of the rest of the pack, Simoncelli was able to ease off and enjoy a third-place finish.

125cc: Impressive second for Smith

Britain's Bradley Smith took a battling second place behind Gabor Talmacsi in the 125cc Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.

2007 world champion Talmacsi took his third win of the season after overhauling polesitter Andrea Iannone on the first lap and leading the rest of the way.

Smith quickly broke away from the chasing pack and overtook Iannone, who slipped back to finish 10th.

The Oxfordshire rider, who started 13th on the grid, began to reel in Talmacsi but quickly ran out of laps and had to settle for his third second place of the year.

Smith said: "It was a big shame because, with a bad qualifying position, I was so far back.

"But in the first two laps I took advantage of a fast bike, braked as late as possible and managed to close in.

"With Gabor, I was getting there but it just wasn't close enough. We'll have to wait until Valencia for the win, but for sure I'll be trying there."

Simone Corsi won a thrilling three-way battle for third place, edging out Sandro Cortese and newly-crowned world champion Mike Di Meglio.

Smith's fellow Briton Danny Webb endured a nightmare afternoon after qualifying third on the grid.

Webb's Aprilia did not start on the warm-up lap, and he was then handed a ride-through penalty for not starting from the pit lane. He later retired with mechanical trouble.