Pedrosa triumphs, Japan celebrates 250cc world title

VALENCIA, Spain (AFP) - – Honda's Dani Pedrosa won the Valencia MotoGP here on Sunday, the final race of the 2009 season, while Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama claimed the 250cc world title.

In front of 95,000 home fans, Pedrosa achieved his second win of the season while world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy was second on a Yamaha. Rossi's Spanish teammate Jorge Lorenzo was third.

Pedrosa also took third place in the overall standings at the expense of Australian Casey Stoner, who crashed on the warm-up lap.

Ducati rider Stoner, who had been due to start on pole and was bidding for a third straight win, failed to make the grid after his fall.

"Im very happy with this win because I really wanted it. All through the week I was thinking only about this race," said 24-year-old Pedrosa.

"In practice we struggled a lot, but the team did a great job and I want to thank them for the job they did. Also to all the fans that came to the track, they supported us and its unbelievable. I think they enjoyed the race.

"With Casey out of the race it was easier, but in the end we had a great race."

The 30-year-old Rossi wasn't too downbeat with his second place.

"We were a lot slower this weekend, but it didn't matter as I was already the world champion," said Rossi.

"I'm happy. Tomorrow (Monday) we will go out and try the new bike for next season."

Lorenzo admitted that he could have pressed on the gas once Stoner crashed out.

"The team called me and said Stoner was out of the race. I should have put my foot down but instead I allowed Dani to take a second up on me and that was enough.

"All in all it has been a good season and I will come back stronger next term."

Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama claimed the 250cc world title.

The title challenge had gone down to the wire with 28-year-old Aoyama taking a 21-point lead over Italy's Marco Simoncelli into the race.

The Honda rider needed to finish only 11th or higher to secure his first championship and the final 250cc title before the category is replaced by the new Moto2 class from next year.

And he secured victory by finishing seventh, despite going off the track on lap nine and dropping down to 11th. His task was made easier when Simoncelli crashed out while leading with seven laps left.

Spaniard Hector Barbera won the race ahead of compatriot and Aprilia teammate Alvaro Bautista with Italy's Raffaele De Rosa third on a Honda.

"I am very proud to win this title, especially as this is the last 250cc category, so its something special for me," said Aoyama.

"I have been racing in 250cc for nearly ten years, so Im a little bit sad I cant ride this bike any more but I am taking the next step. From tomorrow I will be in MotoGP and thats also one of my dreams, so today one dream came true and tomorrow another one will."

Aoyama and Barbera were the only competitors this season to finish all the races. This consistency, along with four wins in 16 Grands Prix, helped the Japanese rider overhaul Gilera's Simoncelli, winner of seven races.

In the 125cc class, world champion Julian Simon of Spain won the final race of the season ahead of Aprilia teammate Bradley Smith of England and compatriot Pol Espargaro.