125: Faubel awarded tie-break victory in Germany!
Hector Faubel has taken his first grand prix victory since 2007 in extraordinary circumstances, with not even a photo-finish able to separate himself and Johann Zarco at the end of Sunday's German 125cc Grand Prix at Sachsenring.
As a result, the fastest race laps by each rider were used to determine victory, handing Faubel the win, whilst Zarco saw a first grand prix victory slip away - due to a post-race decision - for the second time this year.
Double race-winner rookie Maverick Vinales had got a poor start from his third pole position of the year, but fought his way forwards from eleventh to take the lead for the first time on lap 15 of 27.
The 16-year-old then blew apart what had been an eight-rider lead group by setting a pace that ever fewer riders could match.
By the start of the last lap only Zarco and Faubel were still in touch with Vinales - with Faubel then barging inside Zarco for second at turn one, before surprising Vinales by slicing into the lead moments later.
Zarco pushed Vinales down to third through Turn 11, which starts the downhill run towards the end of the lap, then put all his emphasis on carrying momentum through the final turn.
That allowed the Ajo Derbi rider to ride around the outside of Faubel on the uphill exit and cross the line exactly level with the Spaniard.
Zarco had been stripped of victory in Catalunya earlier this year, for an 'illegal pass' on another Aspar rider, Nico Terol, at the final turn.
Title leader Terol led during the first half of the race but dropped to fourth at the chequered flag and is now a reduced 32 points ahead of Zarco.
Sunday's race marked the 125th consecutive win for Dunlop, which now supplies all the riders, but is not technically an exclusive tyre supplier.
With 125cc not racing at Laguna Seca next weekend, round ten will be held after the summer break, at Brno in mid-August.
Race Results:
1. Faubel (Aprilia) 27 laps
2. Zarco (Derbi) +0.000s
3. Vinales (Aprilia) +0.272s
4. Terol (Aprilia) +1.723s
5. Salom (Aprilia) +2.784s
6. Gadea (Aprilia) +6.786s
7. Folger (Aprilia) +13.116s
8. Cortese (Aprilia) +13.414s
9. Kent (Aprilia) +13.710s
10. Ajo (Aprilia) +29.090s
14. Webb (Mahindra) +34.405s
DNF Stafford (Aprilia)
DNF Mackenzie (Aprilia)
