World Championship Road Racing Series
Round 3: Spanish Grand Prix
ia's front wheel, and sent it looping to
destruction. Then came a dose of
natural justice while Poggiali challenged leader Lucio Cecchinello on
the final hairpin. As Cecchinello, de
Angelis' teammate, swept through
the turn, Poggiali crashed, to a great
cheer from the crowd, remounting to
finish 10th.
Race direction adjudged that Poggiali had ridden "in an irresonosible
manner, causing danger," and
excluded him from the race. The rider
protested, but the stewards upheld
the decision, and he gained no
points.
The 250cc race brought a careerfirst victory for Fonsi Nieto (Aprilia),
after a dogged pursuit of longtime
leader Roberto Rolfo (Honda). The
pair were relieved of further pressure
when Marco Melandri and Franco
Battaini (both Aprilia) collided on the
last lap. Melandri fell and Battaini
26
MAY 15, 2002'
cue
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