Poggiali dedicates win to dead father.

San Marian teenager, Manuel Poggiali, took his first ever Grand Prix win in France after a hard-fought battle with Mirko Giansanti and Tony Elias.

Elias took the lead on the last lap, only to have it snatched back by a determined Poggiali in the final few corners. Giansanti was also squeezed out by the Poggiali's last gasp move, but recovered to finish second ahead of Elias.

"I'm absolutely delighted'" said an emotional Poggiali. "My thanks go to my team and my mechanics who have all worked so hard and I dedicate this win to my father who died recently."

The #54 Gilera rider looked like scoring his first win two weeks ago in Jerez, but was overtaken by Masao Azuma in the closing stages of the race, then crashed out while trying to regain the lead on the very last lap.