Morbidelli crowned Moto2 champion in Malaysia, SA's Brad Binder second

Sepang, Malaysia - Italy's Franco Morbidelli clinched the Moto2 world championship at Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, which was won by Miguel Oliveira.

Morbidelli, who finished third, took the title even before the race started when rival Thomas Luthi withdrew with a broken foot.

Luthi hurt his foot in Saturday's qualifying and was declared unfit.

First Italian since 2008

Morbidelli is the first Italian to win a Moto2 title since Marco Simoncelli in 2008.

South African rookie Brad Binder was second.

Portuguese rider Oliveira who started second on the front on a KTM machine, dominated the race from the start.

Rain started falling towards the end of the race and dark clouds could be seen over the Sepang circuit.