Dakota Mamola claims maiden win

Dakota Mamola, the son of former MotoGP winner Randy, won his first road race in Valencia yesterday.

The 15-year-old kept his cool in treacherous conditions to win the final round of the Metrakit 125cc Pre-GP Mediterranean Championship at a rain-hit Valencia.

Starting the 12-lap race from 17th on the grid in a quality field of 42 riders, Mamola made a stunning start and found himself fifth at the first corner.

Mamola, who scored his first ever podium finish in Catalunya earlier this year in a round of the Metrakit 125cc Pre-GP Catalan Championship, was always in contention for victory.

And after a tense finish, he held onto claim his first win with his jubilant dad Randy watching from the sidelines.

Proud dad Randy, who won 13 500cc world championship races and scored 41 other podiums as he finished runner-up in the series four times, told MCN: “Every father, whether they have raced themselves or not, can’t describe what it’s like to watch his son win that first race.

“It was great to see and I’m very proud of Dakota. He’s deserved it because of all the hard work he has put in.

“It was tricky conditions and some riders fell off, but what it comes down to is who rides the best and brings it home in the conditions, and Dakota did that.”

Mamola is close friends with rising British star Bradley Smith and he copied the Oxfordshire teenager’s celebration when the Aspar Aprilia rider scored his first 125GP success in Jerez back in May.

Randy added: “He was obviously thrilled to win but he wasn’t sure how to celebrate.

“So he just stood on the pegs and punched the air like Bradley did when he won his first Grand Prix. It was a moment Dakota won’t forget and one I won’t too.”