FIM 125cc GP World Championship Phillip Island, Australia October 5, 2008 Race Results: 1. Mike DI MEGLIO (Derbi), 23 laps, 37:55.589 2. Stefan BRADL (Aprilia), -10.255 3. Gabor TALMACSI (Aprilia), -13.106 4. Andrea IANNONE (Aprilia), -13.149 5. Pol ESPARGARO (Derbi), -26.796 6. Sandro CORTESE (Aprilia), -27.123, crash 7. Esteve RABAT (KTM), -27.181 8. Simone CORSI (Aprilia), -27.871 9. Marc MARQUEZ (KTM), -28.287 10. Scott REDDING (Aprilia), -35.087 14. Joan OLIVE (Derbi), -57.539, crash 22. Bradley SMITH (Aprilia), -2 laps, DNF, crashed twice 25. Stevie BONSEY (Aprilia), -11 laps, DNF, crash 33. Nicolas TEROL (Aprilia), -22 laps, DNF, crash FIM 125cc GP World Championship Point Standings (after 15 of 17 races): 1. Di Meglio, 237 points 2. Bradl, 187 3. Corsi, 184 4. Talmacsi, 181 5. Terol, 149 6. Olive, 133 7. TIE, Smith/Cortese, 117 9. Espargaro, 114 10. Redding, 97 14. Bonsey, 46 More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: Mike di Meglio- 2008 125cc World Champion After coming to the attention of the French Motorcycle Federation in the 2002 Prix de l’Avenir, Mike di Meglio was invited to take a trial with the Liegois team in Carole, with whom he took part in a Spanish Championship race. He made the most of his opportunity, finishing third in the race and looking at a move up to the international stage. The French youngster turned 15 on the eve of the first test of the 2003 season and made his 125cc World Championship debut that year on an Aprilia. He found the going tough in his first season, crashing several times and not achieving results of any note. In 2004 he was recruited by Gino Borsoi to represent Globet.com Racing but had an inconsistent campaign, before stepping up a notch with the same team the following year, onboard a Honda, to win his first ever Grand Prix in Turkey in the penultimate race of the season. Di Meglio would have to wait four years to add to his win tally. After a disappointing year for the French Motorcycle Federation team in 2005- in which he finished in 25th position after picking up just eight points all year- Di Meglio moved to the Team Scot Honda outfit for 2007, with the highlight of his year a fourth place in Japan. On board a factory Derbi machine in 2008, for the Ajo Motorsport team, Di Meglio has enjoyed the fruits of his labours on competitive machinery. Three race victories and the most consistent results in the class have made the Frenchman one of the stars of the series this year, and have elevated him above his rivals in the hotly-contested category. Some facts about Di Meglio’s achievement He is the second French rider to win the 125cc championship the other was Arnaud Vincent in 2002. In addition to Vincent, French riders have won three other Grand Prix world titles, all in the 250cc class: Jean-Louis Tournadre (1982), Christian Sarron (1984) and Olivier Jacque (2000). Di Meglio is the youngest ever French world champion adding to his existing record of being the youngest French rider ever to win a Grand Prix. This is the 4th world title in the 125cc class by Derbi riders, the others were Angel Nieto (1971 & 1972) and Jorge Martinez (1988) Personal Data* Date of birth: 17/01/1988 (20 years) Place of birth: Toulouse, FRA First Grand Prix: JPN – 2003 First Pole Position: JPN 2008 First Podium: GBR – 2005 First GP Victory: TUR – 2005 Grand Prix Starts: 89 Grand Prix Victories: 5 Podiums: 10 Pole Positions: 2 Race Fastest Laps: 3 World Championship Wins: 1 125cc 2008 2008 Total Points: 237 *data correct at 05/10/2008 (Australian Grand Prix)