Aoyama clinches last ever 250cc title in Valencia

VALENCIA (Reuters) - Hiroshi Aoyama of Japan won the last ever 250cc world title when he recovered from running off the circuit to finish seventh at the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Honda rider needed to come in 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.

He went off the track on lap nine and dropped down to 11th but his task was made easier when nearest title rival Marco Simoncelli crashed out while leading with seven laps left.

Spaniard Hector Barbera won the race, making sure of second place in the championship standings ahead of Gilera rider Simoncelli. Barbera's Spanish compatriot Alvaro Bautista was second and Italy's Raffaele De Rosa third.

Alex Debon, another Spaniard, was quickest in qualifying on Saturday but crashed late in the session and suffered a suspected broken rib that meant he was unable to race, so Simoncelli started from pole.

In the 125cc category earlier on Sunday, champion Spaniard Julian Simon just managed to hold off Bancaja team mate Bradley Smith of Britain on the final corner to win by 0.220 seconds, his fourth win in five races.

(Writing by Iain Rogers in Madrid; Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)