Julián Simón’s choice to come back down to the 125cc session this year, following two years in the 250cc session, has gained huge dividends for the 22 year-old Spaniard, he has been victorious in four races so far this year and currently holds a 57.5 points advantage to his closest opponenet in the standings.

Simón arrived into the successful Bancaja Aspar set-up hoping for an excellent pre-season testing and his nine stage appearances in twelve events has placed him on the edge of claiming his first ever title. His dominance has been seen, Simón could claim the championship at the next event in Estoril with only three rounds left, dependant upon the results of his nearest opponents.

The excellent form of Nico Terol (Jack & Jones Squad) and Bradley Smith (Bancaja Aspar), is more than likely to have Simón keeping his concentration for a bit extra to complete the job.

Terol ensued with a slow beginning to the year but soon improvement following a strong second placing at Mugello. Since he has claimed a further three stage appearances, a race win at Brno plus eight consecutive top fives, putting him second in the overall rankings, only five points in front of Smith.

After firstly seeming like he may run fresh Bancaja Aspar colleague Simón close for the title, with the initial two victories in the opening five rounds (at Jerez and Mugello), Smith was disappointed by smashes at Sachsenring and then Donington at home.

Simón and Smith’s team-mate Sergio Gadea places fourth in the ranks having claimed a win at Assen, second place at Jerez and third at Le Mans, but was also taken aback by two crashes at Donington and Indianapolis, as well as a four finishes on the outer of the top ten.

Andrea Iannone began the year with outstanding form wining in a weather affected and shortened event in Qatar plus another win at Motegi, he has also claimed victory in Barcelona however his results have been inconsistent and he was let down with a ‘headbutt’ gesture and some coarse words to Pol Espargaró after the duo smashed together in Misano recently. Iannone was fined $5,000 by Race Direction and gave a full apology the following day.

Meanwhile, Espargaró sits sixth overall, just after Iannone in the championship, and having taken the initial win of his career at Indy, he was unfortunate to get caught up with the Italian when he seemed due for another victory at Misano.

Young competitors Marc Marquez and Jonas Folger have taken on well earned experience this season and both take the top ten positions, in seventh and tenth respectively.