Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Grand Prix of Valencia
Valencia, Spain
250cc Grand Prix Results

1. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 27 laps, 44:01.924
2. Toni ELIAS, Aprilia, -0.072 second
3. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, -12.810 seconds
4. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, -22.496 seconds
5. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, -30.731 seconds
6. Sebastian PORTO, Honda, -32.381 seconds
7. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, -35.547 seconds
8. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, -36.987 seconds
9. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, -38.672 seconds
10. Alex DEBON, Honda, -41.748 seconds
11. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, -55.156 seconds
12. Dirk HEIDOLF, Aprilia, -63.117 seconds
13. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, -68.018 seconds
14. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, -78.041 seconds
15. Radomil ROUS, Aprilia, -84.071 seconds
16. Alvaro MOLINA, Aprilia, -89.994 seconds
17. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, -92.471 seconds
18. Henk vd LAGEMAAT, Honda, -1 lap
19. Lukas PESEK, Yamaha, -1 lap
20. Patrick LAKERVELD, Aprilia, -2 laps
21. Erwan NIGON, Aprilia, -12 laps, DNF, mechanical
22. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, -13 laps, DNF, mechanical
23. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, -14 laps, DNF, mechanical
24. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, -16 laps, DNF, mechanical
25. Christian GEMMEL, Honda, -19 laps, DNF, mechanical
26. Jaroslav HULES, Honda, -25 laps, DNF, crash
27. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, -26 laps, DNF, mechanical
28. Joan OLIVE, Aprilia, -26 laps, DNF, mechanical


Final 250cc Grand Prix World Championship Point Standings:

1. POGGIALI, Manuel, 249 points
2. ROLFO, Roberto, 235 points
3. ELIAS, Toni, 226 points
4. DE PUNIET, Randy, 208 points
5. NIETO, Fonsi, 194 points
6. BATTAINI, Franco, 148 points
7. WEST, Anthony, 145 points
8. PORTO, Sebastian, 127 points
9. MATSUDO, Naoki, 119 points
10. GUINTOLI, Sylvain, 101 points
11. DEBON, Alex, 81 points
12. OLIVE, Joan, 38 points
13. FAUBEL, Hector, 34 points
14. DAVIES, Chaz, 33 points
15. AOYAMA, Hiroshi, 31 points


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

MANUEL POGGIALI GOT THE 250 WORLD TITLE. APRILIA ACHIEVED THE 22nd TITLE!



Thanks to the third position in the Comunitat Valenciana GP Manuel Poggiali won the 250 world title after the victory of Marco Melandry last year. This is another great triumph for Aprilia especially with Manuel who won the title on his debut on 250. Only Tetsuya Harada was able to get the same perfomance at his first season with 250. But the japanese rider already rode a 250 bike whilst Manuel had his debut in Suzuka this year. Manuel has been the protagonist of this season since the beginning as he leaded th eowrld standing from the first race.



Manuel Poggiali: “The beginning of this week end starter in the worst way cause after 5 years I got the flue here in Valencia. Luckily the staff of Clinica Mobile took care of my health so I was able to ride in good conditions. But I had another trouble cause this morining I crashed in the warm up session hiting another rider suffering an abrasion in my left hip. Anway my technicians did a perfect work and the bike was pretty good. This season was very incredible as I got a short advantage since the first race and I was very constant as well. Moreover I never felt pressure as all the persons who worked with me always tried to help me in order to get more experience. After three or four races I understood that my challenge for the title could be very easy . I do not know if this title is more exciting than the other one (125) because when you ride a motorbike this is the only dream in your mind. It doesn’t matter which class. Anyway the 125 races were more difficult than 250. Now I feel very tired because of the flue so I think I will celebrate this success in San Marino with my family and my friends. I want to thank the whole team, all the supporters, Aprilia but I want to dedicate this victory to my daddy who can not be here with me”.

Ivano Beggio (Aprilia President): “It’s simply great.. this is the 22nd title! This champiosnhip was very tough but excting in the mean time. I am very happy for Manuel. Honestly I did not expect this great result on his debut on the 250 bike. He is a great champion and he represents the future of this sport: he is going to ride for us for two years and we will do the best to let him stay for a long time”.

Rossano Brazzi (Poggiali Technical Responsible): “I want to dedicate this title to my guys cause we worked together from many years. They are very professional and patient. This title is all for them”.