Maschio rides through wrist injury.

Kawasaki Racing Team's Mickael Maschio battled against the might of four-stroke machinery to climb to the podium in third position at Sunday's Italian round of the World Motocross Championship.

Maschio, the reigning World Champion, was once again riding with a niggling wrist injury he picked up in the pre-season, but if wants to keep his crown he knows he has to keep racing.

As the 125cc Grand Prix sped off the line up the steep start straight, MX GP regular Stefan Everts led the way with Maschio hugging the wheel tracks of Bartolini and Ramon for a top ten start.

The first few laps proved very difficult of most riders, water on top of dry and stony ground left little or no traction, three of the top five positions were taken up by four-strokes who seemed to be able to put the power to the ground more easily.

"It was very fast and dangerous but I tried inside and outside line to make progress, I could see the leaders in front of me so I knew I had to push as hard as possible in case they broke away," recalled the KX125 rider.

By lap 9 of 21, the petite Frenchman was in 5th position behind Bartolini, a home crowd favourite. For eight laps Maschio wore down the Italian, and they were both to benefit from Luigi Seguy falling from third when he lost the front wheel in front of the signalling area.

"I knew I could pass Bartolini, he had the power advantage in some corners but I was faster," said Maschio, who made his move for third with three laps to go: "He (Bartolini) was switching line, when I went outside he tried to block me but I switched back and came up the inside, he never came back at me.

"I was happy with my performance at the end of the race but disappointed with the opening laps when I didn't want to take too many risks, my wrist is still weak, I need to have complete rest for my wrist ligaments to heal but I can't wait," he explained. "I have to race if I want to stand any chance of retaining my world title. Training has been very difficult, I can run but can't ride the bike as much as I would like."

Everts won the race from 125cc championship leader Steven Ramon, who now holds a 14 point lead on fourth placed Maschio.