MotoGP 125cc rookie Maverick Vinales took the final race win of the year at Valencia this morning and secured third place in the title chase but it was Nico Terol who did the lion's share of celebrating as he bagged the 2011 World Championship as the era of two-strokes comes to an end.
Terol only had to finish in 11th place if second-placed man Johan Zarco won the race but the Frenchman crashed out, losing the front in the opening laps. Bankia Aprilia's Terol then didn't even have to finish but he took the fight for the win to Vinales and team-mate Hector Faubel, and finished second. Vinales was joined on the podium by sponsor and oxygen thief Paris Hilton.
Britain's Danny Kent was on for a decent sized points haul with a top-ten finish but crashed out on the last lap, re-mounting to finish 17th. It was left to wildcard John McPhee to uphold the honours and took his KRP/RSF Aprilia to 14th place. Poleman Danny Webb crashed unhurt just before half-distance and he was joined on the floor by Taylor Mackenzie. Harry Stafford once again retired.
