Azuma wins frantic 125cc season finale.

Benetton Playlife rider, Masao Azuma, won the 125cc Australian Grand Prix from Youichi Ui, as many of the pre-race favourites failed to finish.

It was second place on the grid, Youichi Ui, who took the lead with a storming start, with Locatelli having to defend his pole position on the run down to the first corner, before slotting into second, with Cecchinello third.

World Champion Locatelli regained his composure and retook the lead midway around the first lap, while teammate Sanna moved into third. By lap four the leading pack had been joined by Masao Azuma, who swiftly began to battle for the top positions.

On lap seven Sanna took the lead as spots of rain began to appear on the circuit from the darkening skies. Locatelli crashed out of second soon after, prompting fears that the track's grip was reducing, although these proved unfounded and it appeared that Locatelli had run wide before a high speed off - fortunately without injury.

By lap nine Ui attempted to slipstream past Sanna on the main straight - but was unable to make the pass stick, resulting in him being pasted by Azuma. Meanwhile Vincent, the provisional pole holder, began to show the potential he had been threatening all weekend, joining the lead pack and immediately challenging.

The Frenchman took the lead briefly along the Start/Finish straight on lap fourteen out of twenty-three, before Sanna again resisted, being able to carry more speed through the second corner - despite taking a tighter line, thus allowing him to repass the slipstreaming Vincent, with the lead pack of five now being nose-to-tail.

Cecchinello crashed out at the first corner on lap fifteen when his front wheel slid away - collecting Sanna in the process and handing the lead to Vincent. Sanna remained upright despite hitting Cecchinello's bike but ran off the track, falling to fifteenth.

Vincent's chances of a race win ended on lap eighteen when he took to the pits to have an apparent bike problem examined by the team - which resulted in his retirement. Ui therefore took the lead from Azuma - the two being the only remaining riders from the lead pack.

Reigning World Champion Alzamora (third) and Noboru Ueda (fourth) lead the following riders, and both gained from Vincent's misfortune, with the Japanese rider passing Alzamora shortly after. Azuma meanwhile seized the opportunity to pass Ui for the lead on lap twenty-two.

The last lap began with the leaders separated by just 0.3secs, Ui passing Azuma for the lead - only to run wide, midway through the lap. Azuma held on to win a tense Japanese one - two - three, with Ueda having held third place from Alzamora after a sprint to the finish line.

Full results to follow....

1. Masao Azuma
2. Youichi Ui +0.599secs
3. Noboru Ueda +4.094secs
4. Emilio Alzamora +4.175secs
5. Manuel Poggiali +5.703secs
6. Alex De Angelis +15.601secs
7. Steve Jenkner +15.604secs
8. Ivan Goi +23.408secs
9. Gino Borsoi +32.210secs
10. Simone Sanna +33.968secs
11. Angel Nieto Jr. +42.281secs
12. Toni Elias +42.384secs
13. Randy De Puniet +42.706secs
14. Pablo Nieto +43.211secs
15. Jaroslav Hules +1min 7.366secs