Motorsport: Pedrosa in 250cc victory

Spain's Daniel Pedrosa claimed his second successive 250cc class world title with victory at the Australian Grand Prix yesterday.

Pedrosa has built an insurmountable 51-point lead over Australia's Casey Stoner, who fell off his bike in the third lap at Phillip Island and was forced to retire, with just two races of the season remaining, in Turkey and Valencia.

Stoner had won the previous two races to narrow the title chase and qualified on pole but his error ensured the 20-year-old Spaniard sealed the championship in Australia for the second successive year.

He also won the 125cc class title in 2003.

Pedrosa finished in 39m 18.195s, coming from behind to pip Sebastien Porto of Argentina on the line by 0.027s. Spain's Jorge Lorenzo was third in 39m 26.869s.