Moto2: Sergio Garcia Wins the Le Mans Grand Prix
By Dawn Hammersley
Sergio Garcia controlled the Moto2 race from lights out to flag, as his fellow Moto2 riders battled for podium finishes
For the French Grand Prix Aron Canet took pole position, the Fantic Racing’s rider is carrying an injury from the previous round but it isn’t holding the Spanish rider back. American Racing’s Joe Roberts’ good run of form continues as the American rider lined-up in second place, Sergio Garcia rounded out the front row of the grid.
Garcia got the holeshot into turn one, Canet got a poor start and was pushed back to tenth place. Fermin Aldeguer was fighting through the field in ninth place. Manuel Gonzalez was in third place behind Roberts.
Canet made up a few places and was the fastest man on track whilst running in sixth place. Jake Dixon was in 18th place. Lopez joined the leading group, taking third place from Gonzalez.
Barry Baltus crashed out on lap four whilst running in the middle of the pack of Moto2 riders. Garcia broke away from Roberts to extend his lead at the front. Canet was now up to fourth place, behind Lopez.
Gonzalez crashed out at turn 14, whilst Canet, Roberts and Lopez were in a crazy battle for second place, which was helping Garcia to extend his lead at the front. Aron won the battle for second place and had Garcia in his sights.
Izan Guevara was having a good ride in ninth place, team-mate Dixon was in 16th place. Fermin Aldeguer was just inside the top ten running in eighth place.
Roberts was now in a battle for fourth place with Somkiat Chantra and Ai Ogura. Garcia had a 1.9 second lead at the front from Canet. With five laps to go the gaps between the Moto2 riders was closing, Ogura took fourth place from Roberts.
Garcia crossed the line to take the victory, behind there was a five-way scrap for podium positions! Ai Ogura got second place, Lopez took the final podium place, Roberts was fourth, Chantra was fifth just in front of Canet.
Garcia is leading the championship strandings on 89 points from Joe Roberts who is on 82 points.
Featured Image: Joel Cooper Photography.