Maschio claims 125cc World crown.

Mickael Maschio joined Stefan Everts and Mickael Pichon as a World Champion of the 2002 Motocross World Championships when he finished fourth in the 125cc Grand Prix of Russia, in front of almost 10,000 fans, and earned his number one plate by just 4 points over race winner Steve Ramon.

Thanks to the 'Mickaels', France had two Champions in the same season for the first time in the history of the sport.

Typically the 125cc event was a frantic and dramatic affair. With Maschio, Ramon and Caps all in with a chance of the title the odds demanded that one rider would end up disappointed and that black hand of fate fell on Patrick Caps.

The Belgian was fighting with Maschio and Ramon in a terrific three way dice providing a perfect visual representative of this season's on-track affairs. A mistake exiting one of the larger jumps on the Russian circuit threw the KTM rider off-line as he landed on the green side fencing.

The mesh proceeded to churn itself in both of Caps' wheels forcing an emotional retirement. Maschio eased off at that point leaving Ramon to pass Mark De Reuver for second and then overtake Ben Townley for his third win of the campaign; all he could do to try and influence the series outcome in his favour.

Townley arrived back on the podium after a three-race spell of zero points. De Reuver rounded off the champagne group some way ahead of Maschio and collected his second successive top three result.

Jamie Dobb was on hand as Maschio crossed the line to hand over his number one plate and Pichon even climbed on the podium with the new Champ to mark a memorable day for French motocross.

Philippe Dupasquier crashed during the GP, which meant he could climb no higher than 10th behind Billy Mackenzie but collected fourth overall. Fifth is former World Champion Alex Puzar who retired after four laps this afternoon. Townley ends a sensational if up-and-down year with sixth in the table.

"I knew the start would be important and I made a good one today," commented the new World Champion. "Caps and Ramon were right behind me and I tried to contain them but they got by so I rode safe and tried to concentrate on my lines. The race was perfect. I slowed down a little at the end, just to make sure and finally I got the prize! I would like to thank my parents and my brother for being with me through all this."