Azuma: I didn't know Poggiali had crashed.

In a compelling 125 race Masao Azuma took a hard-earned win from the third row of the grid. Up to third by lap three, he led briefly on lap seven before settling down with a breakaway group of five at the front. But as the 23-lap race entered the closing stages, the leading group was gradually reduced.

First Gino Borsoi dropped back, then Youichi Ui crashed on the uphill Sito Pons turn on lap 20 and Stefano Perugini lost contact a lap later. Now it was a two-way scrap between Azuma and Manuel Poggiali on the Gilera, but Poggiali high-sided going into Sito Pons on the last lap leaving Azuma to weave his way to the flag unaware of events behind him.

"I didn't know Poggiali had crashed," said Azuma, who won the season opener in Japan. "It was a very hard race, because qualifying was really difficult. But I knew that if I could get up with the leaders I had a chance. The team did a great job, we had a really good engine and chassis combination for the race."

"I stayed behind Poggiali to check his riding style and lines as I had never raced close with him before," explained Azuma. "Studying him I understood I could pass him late in the race and then block him. When I passed him and led the race on the last lap I didn't know he had crashed out so I had to keep my pace."

"This weekend my mechanics have worked very hard and they gave me a good bike for the race. The bike was not super fast but the chassis settings were very good. The tyres had enough grip at the end of the race, a very good combination which helped me win."