#FRENCHGP – MOTO2: GARCIA STORMS TO VICTORY AND GRABS THE CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) returns to winning ways at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France after a stunning ride to charge to victory in France. Garcia also becomes the new Championship leader after the French GP that finished with an MT Helmets – MSI one-two after a brave ride from Ai Ogura who carved through the field from P17 on the grid, with Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedUp) perfectly defending on the last lap to finish in third position on the podium.
It was lights out for the Moto2™ with 22 laps ahead and Garcia pulling off the perfect start, having a steady gap on the opening lap as the rest of the field battled behind hard behind. Polesitter Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) was swallowed by the pack in the opening stage of the race after a big mistake on the first lap, dropping to eighth in a fight with Fermin Aldeguer (Folladore SpeedUp).
Further down the order, Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) hit the deck after battling for the final point-scoring positions. Things soon went from bad to worse for the RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP team with Zonta Van Den Goorbergh crashing out on lap six. Seconds later at the front, Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTO Gresini Moto2™) crashed out at the final corner – ending all hopes of a podium.
Meanwhile, the rider on the move was Canet, charging through the field – setting the fastest lap in the process. The #44 attacked Roberts for second position in a brilliant three-way fight, with Canet passing and not allowing Roberts to respond, creating an advantage instantly. Lopez was the next rider to find a gap in Roberts’ armour to move into third, as teammate Aldeguer was seventh with nine laps remaining.
The gap at the front remained the same with Garcia keeping the gap consistent with all attention turning to the battle for second between Canet and Lopez. It was gloves off with three laps remaining with Lopez slipping into second before making a mistake at turn four, allowing Canet to show his front wheel. The battle for second bunched up with Ogura fancying a podium – charging into third on the last lap.
Garcia crossed the line to win the French GP with Ogura finding a gap to pass Lopez for second, holding second place after a brilliant ride to add to the MT Helmets’ success on Sunday. Lopez fended off Roberts after an intense battle at the final corner, with contact between the two riders.
Behind Roberts to cross the line in fifth was Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) a further 0.171s behind. The #35 held off Canet to the line, who dropped to sixth after battling with Roberts on the last lap. Cent was ahead of Aldeguer, who found time late in the race to comfortably finish ahead of Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Albert Arenas (QJMOTO Gresini Moto2™), who had a great battle throughout the 22 laps. CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team’s Izan Guevara took the final spot inside the top 10, with Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) claiming the final point-scoring position.
“UPHILL WEEKEND. WE TRIED A LOT OF THINGS, BUT IN THE END WE WENT BACK TO MY BASIC BIKE. HOWEVER, WE WORKED WELL AND PICKED UP IMPORTANT IDEAS FOR THE NEXT RACES. IN BARCELONA WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CONFIDENT OF BRINGING HOME GOOD RESULTS. I THANK THE TEAM FOR EVERYTHING.”
DENNIS FOGGIA – P19
“IT’S A REAL SHAME TO END THE WEEKEND LIKE THIS. WE WORKED VERY WELL ALL WEEKEND AND I KNEW THAT I COULD DO WELL IN THE RACE. UNFORTUNATELY, A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR LEVER LEFT US OUT OF THE RACE, BUT WE WON’T LET IT GET US DOWN. THE GOAL IS TO CONTINUE WORKING AND LEARNING.”
DIOGO MOREIRA – P26
“I’M HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE WEEKEND WENT, IT’S A PITY WE WERE SO CLOSE TO SCORING POINTS BUT WE’RE HAPPY WITH THE STEP FORWARD AND THE WORK THE TEAM HAS DONE.”
JAUME MASIA – P16
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