PINT-SIZED Aussie Garry McCoy rode the tyres off his Red Bull Yamaha to win his first ever 500cc Grand Prix at the Welkom circuit in the Orange State of South Africa at the weekend, writes John Gilbride.

The diminutive Australian, who has a decade of GP racing experience, started from ninth position on the grid and carved his way through the field sliding the Yamaha around the track, breaking every technique rule in the book, to snatch the lead from Spaniard Carlos Checa with only five laps to go.

McCoy used all of the track, and then some as he rode the Yamaha so out of shape sometimes it was scary.

No matter what type of corner - tight, fast or otherwise - the Australian was wicked on the throttle and kicked the rear end out in a big, lurid slide.

Holding off a strong late challenge from Checa, also on a Yamaha, and Italian Loris Capirossi he crossed the line just 0.37 sec in front.

Last year's Welkom winner Max Biaggi, who was riding with a serious groin injury, retired on lap 14 as did fellow Italian and 500cc rookie Valentino Rossi.

Britain's Jeremy McWilliams was plagued with tyre problems on his Aprilia and retired after only five laps while fellow countrymen Jason Vincent and Jamie Robinson finished a creditable 9th and 11th respectively in the 250cc race.

Story date: Wednesday 22 March

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