Gonzalez extends championship lead with victory ahead of Baltus and Canet

The Moto2 championship arrived at Le Mans for the Michelin French GP, and once again it was Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) who was the fastest man after qualifying. Gonzalez was joined on the front row of the grid was Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) – had had made his way through Q1 – and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team). Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), and championship contenders Aon Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) and Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) lined up on row 2.

Following early morning rain – which had impacted the Red Bull Rookies race – the track had dried up in time for the Moto2 race, but dark clouds loomed overhead. There was drama before the race began for Zonta VD Goorbergh who had an issue as the bikes pulled away on the warm up lap. His bike was removed from the grid and he had to start the race from pitlane.

As the lights went out, it was Gonzalez who led the pack into turn 1, but Moreira came out of the first turn on top ahead of Gonzalez, Dixon, Filip Salac (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Albert Arenas. Collin Veijer’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) race ended with a first lap crash at turn 8 – the Dutchman was quickly up on his feet, but was unable to rejoin the race.

Barry Baltus and Albert Arenas were engaged in battle for 6^th place in the early stages of the race, but by lap 8 Baltus had made his way through the riders ahead of him to slot into 2^nd place behind Gonzalez who had regained the lead from Moreira on lap 4. Gonzalez and Baltus settled into a rhythm at the front of the race, and were soon pulling a gap on those behind them.

While Baltus didn’t give Gonzalez and easy ride, he was unable to challenge the Spainard who went on to take his third win of the season – once again celebrating with a wheelie over the line as spots of rain began to fall. Baltus takes back-to-back podiums for the first time, and also celebrated with a finish line wheelie.

The battle for the final podium place raged for most of the race, with Baltus’ teammate Aron Canet coming out on top ahead of Dixon, Arenas, and Salac. Celestino Vietti (Folladore SpeedRS Team), Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – FRINSA – MSI), and Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedRS Team) completed the top 10, while reigning Moto3 champion David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), Joe Roberts (Onlyfans American Racing Team), Sergio Garcia (QJMOTOR – FRINSA – MSI), Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), and Marcos Ramirez (Onlyfans American Racing Team) also finished in the points.

It was a disappointing weekend for the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team, with neither of their riders completing race distance. Tony Arbolino crashed at turn 11 on the third lap while Izan Guevara retired to the pits at the end of lap 18. Jorge Navarro’s (KLINT Forward Factory Team) weekend also ended with a trip through the gravel at turn 8 on lap 12.

Having taken 50% of the wins so far this season, Manuel Gonzalez extends his championship lead to 16 points over Aron Canet, with Jake Dixon remaining in 3^rd place on 77 points – 18 behind Canet. With back-to-back podiums, Barry Baltus is in 4^th place, and only 4 points behind Dixon.

Moto 2 returns to action for the Tissot British GP at Silverstone from 23^rd to 25^th May.

Featured Image: Intact GP