Zoom Andrea Iannone

Andrea Iannone was the surprise winner of the 125cc Pramac Grand Prix of China, shining in the wet conditions that had hit the Shanghai International Circuit overnight.

The I.C. team rider kept his cool for his first ever World Championship victory, having started from fifth place on the grid.

The Italian had faced early challenges from poleman Bradley Smith and 2007 World Champion Gabor Talmacsi, until the former crashed out on the seventh lap and the latter dropped his pace at the midway point. From then on, it was a matter of holding his nerve for a memorable win, which he eventually took by over three seconds and celebrated with a huge wheelie down the home straight.

Wet weather expert Mike di Meglio took his first podium of the year from the front row, getting the better of Talmacsi as the rostrum places were decided. Too far behind the battling duo to make a top three challenge, yet in no danger of being caught, Belson Derbi rider Pol Espargaro took a comfortable fourth place.

Stefan Bradl and Joan Olive completed the top six, with Olive holding off a late push from Michael Ranseder as the Australian clocked the fastest lap of the race. Nico Terol, Raffaele de Rosa and Efren Vazquez were the final riders in the top ten.

There were numerous crashes in the first race of the day, with Danny Webb, Sandro Cortese and Scott Redding amongst those joining World Championship leader Simone Corsi in hitting the asphalt. Corsi still has the advantage despite not having been able to finish the Chinese race.

© DORNA / CAPSIS International