 He finally ended the 2007 season fourth overall in the Championship and was subsequently awarded the MotoGP / FIM "Rookie of the Year" Award for the 250cc class.Having been tipped as the 2008 250cc champion, he finished 6th in the season opener in Qatar.At Jerez he looked set to win before his engine gave out on the final lap causing Marco Simoncelli to hit his bike and both riders to crash out, subsequently handing Mika Kallio the win.