Riders in the 125 cc French Grand Prix on Sunday had their race scrapped in the final stages when rain started to fall and stewards brought out the red flags.
The French Grand Prix for the small bikes was then re-run as a five-lap dash and Red Bull KTM rider Randy Krummenacher was able to make the best of the tricky, damp conditions to score his first top ten finish of the year.
Last minute tyre change a good choice
The Swiss teenager, who had finished back in twentieth in the first part of the race, the results of which were negated, made a crucial last-minute tyre change on the starting grid. This turned out to be just the right decision and the Swiss rider, now fully recovered fro his recent spleen operation hunted down a large number of his opponents. Krummenacher even managed to close in on Onde 2000 KTM rider Raffaele de Rosa. Lorenzo Zanetti of the KTM supported ISPA KTM Aran team was the top 125 cc rider for the Austrian factory finishing in seventh place.
Further progress for Red Bull KTM's Krummenacher
"Things go better and better. I made further progress in this morning's warm-up session and even though my feeling for the bike wasn't quite as good in the race, I managed to catch up with a few riders. When I went out for the inspection lap before the re-start, I had a massive slide and started to worry. But we mounted a softer rear tyre on the starting grid and I got back the feeling for the bike. I decided to go straight for the maximum possible lean angle so I could maintain the best grip level for my tyres. I was able to go fast and consistent without any more scary moments. I am happy," Krummenacher said.
125 cc Results (Race over five laps only after rain disruption):
1. Mike De Meglio, France, Derbi 10:08.574
2. Bradley Smith, Britain, Aprilia, 1:09.374
3. Nicolas Terol, Spain, Aprilia, 10:11.651
4. Pol Espargaro, Spain, Derbi, 10:18.981
5. Andrea Iannone, Italy, Aprilia, 10:20.455
Other KTM:
7. Lorenzo Zanetti, Italy, ISPA KTM Aran, 10:24.946
9. Raffaele De Rosa, Italy, Onde 200 KTM, 10:27.737
10. Randy Krummenacher, Switzerland, Red Bull KTM, 10:30.965
17. Esteve Rabat, Spain, Repsol KTM 125cc, 10:34.985
Pablo Nieto, Spain, Onde 2000 KTM, DNF
Tomoyoshi Koyama, Japan, ISPA KTM Aran, DNF
Marc Marquez, Spain, Repsol KTM 125cc, DNF
Championship standings:
1. Mike de Meglio, France, 74 points
2. Nicolas Terol, Spain Aprilia, 66
3. Simone Corsi, Italy, Aprilia, 62
4. Joan Olive, Spain, Derbi, 58
5. Stefan Bradl, Germany, Aprilia, 58
Other KTM:
15. Raffaele de Rosa, Onde 2000 KTM, 19
19. Pablo Nieto, Spain Onde 2000 KTM, 11
20 Lorenzo Zanetti, Italy, ISPA KTM Aran, 9
21. Esteve Rabat, Spain, Repsol KTM 125cc, 9
22. Randy Krummenacher, Switzerland, Red Bull KTM, 6
23. Tomoyoshi Koyama, Japan, ISPA KTM Aran, 6
25. Marc Marquez, Spain, Repsol KTM 125cc, 4
Images by Kirn F
