Roberto Locatelli took an emotional home victory in the 125cc Italian Grand Prix standing atop of the podium for the first time since his championship winning performance at Motegi in 2000.
Locatelli emerged victorious from a stunning six-rider battle; series leader
Andrea Dovizioso running wide in the final corner to allow his compatriot through for the win as
Casey Stoner and Hector Barbera also took advantage to snatch the final two podium positions.
Roberto Locatelli – 1st: "This win is different to my previous two wins here because it's been three bad years leading up to this victory. The race was really hard because Barbera was really fast and is a hard rider. On the last lap I just kept my concentration and it worked out perfectly."
Casey Stoner – 2nd: "That was the most confusing race I've ever been in! Nobody really knew where they were – there was no real race plan. Locatelli led the race for quite a bit at the end; I liked the way he upped the pace – everybody had been going slow and holding each other up.
“I thought I had the last couple of laps figured out, but unfortunately
Andrea Dovizioso came past me on the last lap and slowed me up. I thought the race was over, but then Pablo ran wide and in the last corner I think Andrea ran off track. I stuck in there and didn't think I'd be on the podium today, but everything worked out."
Hector Barbera – 3rd: "It's been a tough and difficult race – but good fun. I thought I could win in the last corner, but Stoner past me halfway around the last lap, so that wasn't possible. Third is a good result."
125cc Italian Grand Prix – top ten:1. Locatelli (Aprilia)
2. Stoner (KTM) +0.152secs
3. Barbera (Aprilia) +197secs
4. Dovizioso (Honda) +0.573secs
5. Giansanti (Aprilia) +0.595secs
6. Nieto (Aprilia) +0.879secs
7. Jenkner (Aprilia) +5.980secs
8. Pasini (Aprilia) +19.206secs
9. Borsoi (Aprilia) +28.656secs
10. Lorenzo (Derbi) +28.671secs