Toni Elias wins the first Moto2 title

Toni Elias won the inaugural Moto2 World Championship at Sepang in Malaysia on Sunday.

It marks the former MotoGP race winner's first world title in any class.

The title fight was over when Julian Simon, the only rider that could still beat Elias, crashed in Sunday's race, having earlier saved a near-highside while fighting with Elias for third.

Simon rejoined to finish 21st, while Elias continued to fight for a podium with fellow multiple Moto2 race winner Andrea Iannone, crossing the finish line in fourth.

Elias celebrated with a lengthy change, behind a screen on track, from which he emerged wearing special leathers and helmet... and with the #1 on his bike.

The race was won by Roby Rolfo, who just beat Alex de Angelis.

Elias fractured his hand and ankle just before the start of the 2010 season, but still took the first ever Moto2 pole position at Qatar, before claiming the first of his seven race wins at round two in Jerez.

The Gresini Moriwaki rider has held the title lead since round three, won more races than any rider and is also the only person to score points in every race, making him a thoroughly deserving champion.

The 600cc four-stroke Moto2 class replaced the 250cc (two-stroke) World Championship at the start of this year and its cut-price format has seen grids of over 40-riders.

Moto2 uses identical Honda-built engines, which are mounted inside prototype chassis designs from different manufacturers. A standard ECU means electronic rider aids are banned, while Dunlop is the exclusive tyre supplier.

Elias hopes to use his Moto2 title as a springboard back to MotoGP in 2011, but as yet no deal is in place.

The 27-year-old raced in MotoGP from 2005-2009 taking one win, five further podiums and a best of seventh in the championship (2009).