Moto2: Smart Simeon snatches career first race win
An elated Xavier Simeon took his first intermediate class victory in the German Moto2 Grand Prix in his 86th race start, finding enough to hold off rival Johann Zarco in the run to the chequered flag.
Zarco had been in control for most of the race distance after losing the lead after a great start by Simeon left him unable to break away from the Gresini rider, who held an early lead with the Italtrans of Franco Morbidelli also in contention.
With just four laps to go the Belgian made his move and though his Ajo Motorsport rival looked to find a way back past it was to be Simeon who would lead past the flag after holding his line and having more pace in the final corners.
Simeon becomes the first Belgian to win a race since Didier De Radigues took victory at home in the 250cc race in Spa back in 1983.
Second place for Zarco increases the Frenchman's championship lead, adding another 20 points, pulling him a huge 65 points clear of reigning champion Tito Rabat.
Rookie Alex Rins took advantage of the last lap carnage to take the final podium spot for Paginas Amarillas HP 40, the Pons rider steering clear of trouble in the chasing group as Morbidelli, who had been clear in third before being reeled in, desperately defended his line before sliding over and straight into the path of Rabat.
Rabat, who was already carrying his collarbone injury, looked to be in pain as he bravely waved to thank the crowd while being helped away from the track following more bad luck.
Their fall elevated Simone Corsi to fourth for Athina Forward Racing in his 200th Grand Prix and helped rescue a tough weekend for Sam Lowes, who had fought hard to lead the battle for seventh, which then became a fifth place for the Speed Up man - again the highest placed non-Kalex rider.
The British rider had battled hard to pass Tom Luthi, who in a race peppered with highly competitive battles for position settled for sixth for Derendinger Racing Interwetten, only just ahead of Taka Nakagami in seventh for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia.
Lorenzo Baldassarri was next to cross the line in eighth on the second of the Forward Racing entries, secure and clear from Julian Simon in ninth for QMMF.
Last season's race winner Dominique Aegerter could not find a way to pass the Spaniard, leaving him tenth for Technomag.
Sandro Cortese was the top German at home in 11th for Dynavolt Intact GP, while Mika Kallio faded for 12th aboard his Italtrans bike.
The remaining points went to Randy Krummenacher (JIR) in 13th , local rider Jonas Folger (AGR Team) in 14th and his team-mate Axel Pons in 15th.
Alex Marquez made an amazing save on the first lap but never recovered, finishing down in 18th at the race close.
Ant West was the first faller before contact saw Azlan Shah and Marcel Schrotter also leave proceedings as both ended up in the gravel. Louis Rossi was the final retirement, heading into the pits with just two laps remaining.
