2010 Estoril 125cc Race Result - Mad Forward Charge Decides Two-Part Thriller

Results and summary of the 125cc race at Estoril:

Marc Marquez has taken a remarkable victory in a confusing and action-packed two-part race, starting from the rear of the grid in the second part of the race and passing the 15 riders ahead of him to take an important step towards securing the championship.

Marquez had already worked his way forward during the first running of the race from 11th on the grid to 2nd, and battling with his main title rival Nico Terol for the lead. But spots of rain started falling on the track after a few laps, and the chaos that ensued caused the race to be red-flagged after just 6 laps.

The real drama unfolded before the second race. Marquez made a mistake and crashed on the sighting lap, wrecking the bodywork on his Red Bull Ajo Derbi. The Spaniard rushed back to the pits, and a desperate rush ensued to get the bike ready to go back out on the grid. Marquez just made it, but was forced to start from the back of the grid, exiting pit lane too late to take his position for the warm up lap.

Starting from 17th position on the now depleted grid hardly appeared to hamper Marquez, as the Red Bull Ajo rider launched off the grid as if fired from a gun, entering the first corner in 4th, behind Bradley Smith, Nico Terol and Pol Espargaro. Espargaro's choice or rain tires soon ruled him out of contention, leaving Marquez, Terol and Smith to battle over the podium. Terol and Marquez slugged it out for the win, with Smith attempting to interpose himself to help his Bancaja Aspar teammate. 

Smith even succeeded a couple of times, but each time, Marquez returned to hunt down Terol. Marquez took first at the start of the final lap, and holding off a series of challenges by Terol, went on to take a historic victory, and extend his lead in the championship to 17 points. Terol settled for 2nd, ahead of his teammate Bradley Smith. Pol Espargaro's last hopes of the championship evaporated at Estoril, his decision to run wet tires leaving him too far behind to be in with a chance of the title.

Marquez now needs only to finish 8th at Valencia to wrap up the 2010 championship, and if he succeeds, he'll be off to Moto2 for 2011. The competition there should probably start getting worried.

Results: