Öncü takes first Moto2 victory for himself and Turkey in stunning photo-finish

The Moto2 World Championship was back in Spain for the GoPro Grand Prix of Aragon this weekend, and it was Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) who set a new all-time lap record to become the first Brazilian to take pole position in the class. Moreira was joined on the front row by Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) came into the weekend just 3 points behind Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), and Canet headed the second row of the grid from Aspar’s duo of rookies Daniel Holgado and David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team).

It wasn’t the qualifying session that Gonzalez had hoped for, with a crash in the first minute of the session meaning he was unable to set a lap time and had to start from 18^th on the grid.

The temperature was high as the riders lined up on the grid ahead of the 19-lap race, and it was poleman Moreira who took the lead into turn one ahead of Öncü, Baltus, and Canet. There was early drama for teammates Holgado and Alonso, with Holgado crashing and taking Alonso with him on the first lap of the race.

Deniz Öncü quickly moved into the lead of the race, before Baltus had taken his chance to lead too. There was plenty of battling between the top four throughout the race, although Aron Canet dropped off the back of the group in the latter stages, leaving three riders who hadn’t yet taken victory in the class to battle it out for a maiden win.

While Öncü had been in the lead for six laps, Moreira took the lead into the final lap of the race. The Brazilian led into the final stages of the lap, but Öncü made a remarkable pass around the outside of the final turn and the pair charged to the chequered flag side by side, with Öncü taking the win in a photo finish.

Öncü was declared the winner by just three thousandths of a second – marking the closest Moto2 finish ever – to take not only his first win in the class, but the first win for Turkey too. Barry Baltus finished in 3^rd place to join Öncü and Moreira on the podium.

Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Filip Salac (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) were next across the line as both passed Aron Canet late on in the race. Manuel Gonzalez battled throughout the race from 18^th on the grid to finish in 9^th place. Gonzalez and Canet are now level on 118 points at the top of the championship, Moreira and Baltus moving ahead of Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) who finished the race down in 13^th place.

Moto 2 returns to action for the Brembo Grand Prix of Italy at Mugello from 20^th to 22^nd of June.

Featured Image: Ksc Photography