Brazilian Moreira controlled the race to win ahead of Holgado and Vietti

The Moto2 World Championship roared back into action this weekend following the summer break with round 13 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) topped the times in qualifying but had to start the race from 4^th position following a 3-place grid penalty for slow riding earlier in the weekend. Rookie Dani Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) was promoted to his first pole position in the class, and was joined on the front row by Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team).

Manuel Gonzalez was joined on the second row by David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), with Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego), and Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounding out the third row. It was a difficult qualifying session for Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Joe Roberts (Onlyfans American Racing Team) who failed to make it out of Q1 and started the race from 20^th and 21^st respectively.

The race got underway in warm and dry conditions, and Holgado made a great start to lead into turn one as Gonzalez was sent wide. Somehow Gonzalez managed to hold on to 3^rd place behind Holgado as Moriera made his way into the lead. Jake Dixon and Joe Roberts were sent wide at turn 2 following contact with Darryn Binder (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), while Senna Agius’ race ended very early with a crash at turn 2. Holgado briefly retook the lead at the beginning of lap two, but Moreira was soon back in the lead and trying to break away.  

Lap five saw the beginning of the end of the race for Gonzalez as he appeared to have an issue with his machine, dropping down the order from 4^th to 14^th. He was able to regroup and began gaining positions before having the same issue again and pulling into the pits – his frustration clear to see. It was confirmed by Gonzalez’ team boss that the issue was caused by a stone piercing the radiator of the Kalex. No doubt a disappointing end to the weekend for the rider who had a 25-point lead in the championship at the beginning of the weekend.

Moreira and Holgado were starting to pull away from Vietti at the front of the race, but Moreira knew he had to be careful going forward as he was hit with a track limits warning only 8 laps into the 23-lap race. Reigning Moto3 champion David Alonso was making progress through the field, and was soon on the back of his teammate having passed Vietti for 3^rd place. Vietti himself was handed a long lap penalty for exceeding track limits, and dropped down to 6^th place behind Albert Arenas and Tony Arbolino (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2).

Vietti was able to pass both Arbolino and Arenas, and did eventually end up back in 3^rd place as David Alonso slid out of 3^rd place with five laps to go.  Having taken the lead early in the race, Moriera didn’t look back until the final corner of the final lap – a quick glance over his shoulder to check he had enough of a lead to pull a wheelie across the line as the chequered flag flew.

The Brazilian was followed over the line by Holgado – taking his maiden Moto2 podium – and Vietti, with Arenas, Arbolino rounding out the top five. There was definite progress made by the class rookies this weekend with three of them finishing in the top 8 – Holgado in 2^nd, Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – FRINSA – MSI) in 6^th, and Collin Veijer in 8^th place. It was a difficult weekend for some of the more experienced riders however, with Aron Canet riding to a lonely 10^th place finish following a huge crash earlier in the weekend, Jake Dixon finishing in 20^th place, and race-winner last time out Joe Roberts crashing out of the race on lap 10.

In spite of his disappointing race, Manuel Gonzalez holds on to the lead of the championship, although the gap back to Aron Canet has been cut to 19 points. Moreira’s second win of the season sees him remain in 3^rd place overall, a further 16 points back.

Moto2 returns to action next weekend for the Michelin GP of Hungary as Moto2 visits the Balaton Park circuit for the first time.

Featured Image: motogp.com