Honda Team Asia’s Ai Ogura celebrated an incredible pole to flag victory at the Jerez Circuit - Angel Nieto for his first taste of Moto2 glory in the Spanish Grand Prix.
The dominant performance was matched in determination by second place rider Aron Canet after the Spaniard dug deep for home success despite the obvious pain from his broken arm. Elf Marc VDS’ Tony Arbolino completed the podium celebrations after another strong rider from the sophomore, while teammate Sam Lowes and fellow Brit Jake Dixon crashed out in the early stages.
Ogura launched from his maiden pole position in the intermediate class alongside the Elf duo of Arbolino and Lowes as the lights released the 23-lap race. Flexbox HP40’s Canet qualifying fourth despite undergoing surgery on his fractured left radius on Monday afternoon following the dramatic Portuguese GP.
Ogura maintained control as the action began, Canet immediately up to second with Fermin Aldeguer through to third. Lowes suffering opposing fortunes as he dropped to eighth following contact off the start before beginning the fightback on his ex-teammate Augusto Fernandez. Arbolino was back in podium contention as the opening lap completed with Somkiat Chantra, Celestino Vietti and Lowes all through on Aldeguer next time around.
Lowes sat fifth as lap two counted down, Pedro Acosta crashing the KTM out at turn six after contact with the Speed Up youngster with Dixon running ninth on the GasGas Aspar.
Lap three and the pace picked up as the front group got into a rhythm. Arbolino through to second with Canet and Chantra between him and teammate Lowes as the Brit set the fastest lap of the race so far.
Romano Fenati crashed out at turn eight after six laps of the Spanish action as rumours of his early exit from the Speed Up team built further momentum. Lowes through to fourth as Arbolino battled Canet for second four-tenths ahead. The progression came to an abrupt end, however, as the Brit slid out at turn eight after as many laps.
Chantra was the next to succumb to the Andalucian circuit as the Honda crashed out at turn nine one lap later with American Racing Cameron Beaubier also out of the race with eight dispatched. Fernandez inheriting fourth with Vietti fifth but almost three seconds behind the leading trio.
Dixon looked for a way though on Aldeguer for sixth before the Brit collected the Spaniard at turn 13 and the duo crashed out.
The halfway stage found the trio firmly in control as Ogura held a half-second gap on Canet and Arbolino. Fernandez likewise a second clear of the championship leader with Marcel Schrotter and Joe Roberts trailing the VR46 machine.
Bo Bendsneyder was through on the American for seventh with seven to go, Schrotter doing likewise on Vietti before the Italian struck back. Arbolino attempting to hone in on Canet out front before the gap increased once again.
The battle for fifth raged on as the race counted down. Schrotter finally making the move stick and pulling a half-second gap with five to go after a move at turn six the lap before.
Four to go and the top six were running solitary races as they settled for position as the race neared its conclusion. Acosta recovering from his earlier fall to battle for 21st with American rookie Sean Dylan Kelly much to the delight of the home fans before picking off Filip Salac’s Gresini one lap later.
The final lap began with Ogura approaching his debut Moto2 victory with a near three-second lead. Arbolino reeling in Canet for second with the Italian holding fast as the flag approached.
The Japanese rider claimed the win by 2.5 seconds from the determined Spaniard with Arbolino completing the podium. Fernandez, Schrotter and Vietti rounding out the top six from Bendsneyder, Roberts, Albert Arenas and Jorge Navarro. Alessandro Zaccone and Jeremy Alcoba headed an impressive stand-in ride from Stefano Manzi in 13th after the Italian joined the action from Saturday’s FP3 with Barry Baltus and Lorenzo Dalla Porta completing the points finishers.
