#ITALIANGP – MOTO2: ROBERTS CONVERTS POLE TO A STUNNING VICTORY IN ITALY
It was a blockbuster Moto2™ race at the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo with a reduced distance of 12 laps – leading to a last lap decider. Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) has stormed to take his second victory in the Moto2™ class to crucially close the gap in the World Championship. The #16 did not crack under immense pressure from Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) on the final lap – narrowly missing out on a victory. The Spaniard tried everything on the last lap but would finish second, ahead of Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp), who took the final spot on the podium.
Off like a rocket at the start of the Moto2™ race was Roberts, allowing the American to lead through the opening lap at Mugello. However, Roberts had tough competition as he led Lopez and Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP ), who continued to have a brilliant weekend in Italy. However, further back and storming to seventh was Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) – after starting from 12th on the grid.
Lopez followed Roberts until lap four when the #21 pounced at San Donato – eventually making the move stick at Turn 3. However, as Lopez took the lead it was disaster at the other side of the garage for Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp), whose race came to an end after a crash with Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) – a weekend to forget for the #54. Later in the Grand Prix, Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) also had a crash one lap later.
Lopez led Gonzalez, who had now found his way through on Roberts – the American dropped to third. However, it would soon spell disaster for Binder, who after a solid start to the race crashed out of the Italian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, the #16 responded at half distance in what was a six bike battle for the lead with everything soon exploding at the front as Roberts and Lopez ran wide at Turn 1 – allowing Gonzalez and then Canet to lead.
It was building to be a dramatic finish as Roberts returned the favour to reclaim the lead with three laps remaining. Lopez was also charging hard from fourth to third as the front two edged away. Meanwhile, Ayumu Sasaki’s day soon came to an end after a crash ended a disastrous day for the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team.
Everything came down to the final lap with Roberts dropping to second at San Donato before the America pounced at Turn 2. It was an exciting last lap with action everywhere you looked, but after a perfect end to his lap, it was Roberts who took victory by 0.067s after the American secured the perfect drive out of the final corner. Missing out on the win was Gonzalez after pilling on the pressure in the latter stages of the Grand Prix at Mugello.
Claiming fourth at Mugello was Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI), who’s advantage in the Championship has reduced to seven points. Behind Garcia was teammate Ogura, who rounded out the top five after a heroic battle through the field. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) dropped to sixth at the line, claiming more valuable points and showing strong pace after finishing ahead of Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) claimed eighth ahead of IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia’s Somkiat Chantra. Meanwhile, Marcos Ramirez capped off a magical day for the OnlyFans American Racing Team after taking the final spot inside the top 10.
UNFORTUNATELY, STARTING BEHIND ON THE GRID PENALISED THE RACE PERFORMANCE. I COULDN’T FIND THE RIGHT PACE. IT’S A PITY BECAUSE I WANTED TO DO WELL IN FRONT OF THE HOME CROWD. I THANK EVERYONE FOR THE WORK WE DID TOGETHER. NOW WE HAVE A FEW WEEKS OFF BEFORE RETURNING TO THE TRACK. I WILL CONTINUE TO TRAIN WITH THE AIM OF COMING BACK MORE DETERMINED.
DENNIS FOGGIA – P20
I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THIS GP, BECAUSE WE MADE SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS. I HAD A VERY GOOD RACE TODAY AND I HAD A LOT OF FUN. I HAVE TO KEEP WORKING AND LEARNING IN MOTO2, TRYING TO REPEAT THIS WEEKEND. I THANK THE WHOLE TEAM FOR THE GREAT JOB! I CAN’T WAIT TO GET BACK ON TRACK FOR THE NEXT CHALLENGE!
DIOGO MOREIRA – P11
I’M HAPPY WITH TODAY’S RACE. IT WASN’T EASY BUT LAP BY LAP WE TRIED TO RECOVER POSITIONS UNTIL THE END. I WANT TO THANK THE WHOLE TEAM FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE THIS WEEKEND, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT RACE WHERE WE WILL GIVE IT OUR ALL AGAIN.
JAUME MASIA – P21
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