Red Bull rider Hiroshi Aoyama has claimed the final 250cc world title after a dramatic decider in Valencia which saw defending champion Marco Simoncelli crash out when in the lead.
But Aoyama, who had gone into last 250cc race ever (from next year the category is being replaced by the new Moto2 class) needing just five points to seal his maiden title, had to recover from running off the circuit on lap 10 of 27.
When the Japanese star eventually emerged from the gravel, he rejoined the race in 11th place – his minimum requirement to be crowned champion. And he immediately set about moving up the field.
However, the 28-year-old need not have worried too much as the destiny of the title was decided seven laps from the end when Simoncelli lost the front at turn two and was forced to retire.
The Italian’s accident not only saw Aoyama finish 22 points clear of him at the top of the final standings, but also handed Spain’s Héctor Barberá victory in Valencia, his third of the season, as well as the runners-up spot in the championship.
Aoyama said: "I wanted to win this race and I was pushing and pushing - then at one moment I pushed too much!
"It was like motocross when I went off the track and I was so far back. I recovered some positions and at the end I saw Simoncelli crash. Today is not the best for me as a race, but for the championship it is fantastic!"
Barberá took the chequered flag 3.663 seconds clear of compatriot Alvaro Bautista, while Aoyama's team-mate Raffaele De Rosa completed the podium, finishing third ahead of Thomas Luethi.
Champion Aoyama, Barberá, Simoncelli and Bautista will now all move up to MotoGP next season.
Valencia Grand Prix 250cc result:
1 Hector Barbera (Spain) Aprilia 44min 10.601 secs
2 Alvaro Bautista (Spain) Aprilia 44:14.264
3 Raffaele De Rosa (Italy) Honda 44:16.266
4 Thomas Luethi (Switzerland) Aprilia 44:16.281
5 Ratthapark Wilairot (Thailand) Honda 44:24.202
6 Karel Abraham (Czech Republic) Aprilia 44:24.298
7 Hiroshi Aoyama (Japan) Honda 44:38.039
Final 2009 250cc standings:
1 Hiroshi Aoyama (Japan) Honda 261
2 Hector Barbera (Spain) Aprilia 239
3 Marco Simoncelli (Italy) Gilera 231
4 Alvaro Bautista (Spain) Aprilia 218
5 Mattia Pasini (Italy) Aprilia 128
6 Raffaele De Rosa (Italy) Honda 122
7 Thomas Luethi (Switzerland) Aprilia 120
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