Australian Moto2: Phillip Island Preview

Australia MotoGP News

Toni Elías will enjoy his first race as Moto2 World Champion this weekend at Phillip Island for the Australian Grand Prix, but whilst the Spaniard’s 2010 title is firmly secured second position in the standings is still wide open.

Elías wrapped up the inaugural Moto2 title with fourth place last time out at Sepang, but for Julián Simón the weekend proved much more difficult. Having finished down in 21st the Mapfre Aspar rider’s grip on second in the Championship was loosened, and he now sits five points ahead of Andrea Iannone (Fimmco Speed Up).

Phillip Island is a track Simón will head to high in confidence however, as he took victory there last year to seal his own title – the 2009 125cc crown – and he will be more keen than ever to take his first win in Moto2 before the season is out.

Iannone is hot on his heels however, and fresh from a podium finish in Malaysia the Italian will be going for win number four of the season.

Thomas Lüthi (Interwetten Moriwaki) is now 25 points behind third-placed Iannone after he crashed out at Sepang but the Swiss rider is another who is desperate to claim a win before the end of the campaign, and he won at Phillip Island in 2005 on his way to the 125cc title.

Simone Corsi (JiR Moto2) and Jules Cluzel (Forward Racing) complete the top six as it currently stands, and for the Philip Island round Javier Forés will continue as a substitute for the injured Ricky Cardús on the Maquinza-SAG Team.

Anthony West (MZ Racing) will hope for a season’s best in front of his home crowd, with fellow Australian Wayne Maxwell riding for the Matteoni Racing team for this round. Alex Cudlin will be a third home representative as he rides a wild card entry for Qatar Moto2 Team.