Penultimate lap bike issues see Alex Escrig lose opportunity for first win in Mandalika

Following on from the Japanese GP last weekend, this weekend Moto2 was back in action at the Mandalika circuit on the beautiful island of Lombok for the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) made it back-to-back pole positions as he set a new all time lap record in the Q2 session, and he was joined on the front row of the grid by Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team), and David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team).

Dani Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team), Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team), and Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – JP Financial – MSI) lined up on the second row of the grid, with row three made up by Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team), Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), and Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing). Having seen his championship lead slashed to just 10.5 points last weekend, Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) had a disappointing Q2 session which saw him line up in tenth place.

There were three grid penalties handed out pre-race, with Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) and Aron Canet (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) being demoted six and nine places respectively, while Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) had to start from the back of the grid. 

The lights went out and the race was underway, with Guevara leading Escrig into turn one, but there was drama at turn one as Holgado missed his braking marker and hit the back of teammate Alonso, with both of them sent flying out of the race. The incident also took out Roberts and Veijer with neither rider able to avoid contact with fallen bikes. The race was red flagged and thankfully all four riders were up on their feet and able to walk away from the incident.

Damage to Alonso’s bike was significant meaning that he was unable to make the grid for the restarted race, and Roberts was also unable to make the race start. Holgado and Veijer were both able to line up on the grid for what would now be a 14-lap race.

Escrig made the most of the second start and was leading the race into turn one ahead of Guevara, Holgado, and Muñoz. Muñoz was quickly passed by Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – JP Financial – MSI), who was soon through on Holgado too while Gonzalez was up to 7^th place by the end of the first lap.

After his podium success last time out, Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing) had a strong start to the race and was running in 5^th place, but was soon engulfed by the chasing group, eventually finishing in 9^th place.

There was some battling in that chase group, with Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), Muñoz, and Ortola exchanging positions throughout the race.

Gonzalez had a strong race in spite of his disappointing grid position – he worked his way through the field and was able to make his way up to 3^rd position with only Escrig and Guevara ahead of him. Escrig and Guevara had pulled a gap ahead of the chasing pack – with over three seconds back to Gonzalez and Holgado.

Escrig had been in the lead of the race since the lights went out, and he was less than a lap and a half away from securing his first victory in the class when his bike cut out, ending what had been a brilliant race to that point for the Spaniard. Escrig’s retirement from the race gifted the lead to Guevara, who wheelied across the line to claim his third win in a row. Gonzalez was second place – surely a positive result given his grid position – while Holgado held on for third.

Holgado used his parc ferme interview to apologise to his teammate and his team for his mistake in the first start of the race, while Guevara expressed empathy for Escrig who would likely have won the race without a bike issue.

Behind the podium trio, the top ten was completed by Agius, Munoz, Ortola, Filip Salac (OnlyFans American Racing Team), Arbolino, and Jose Antonia Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo).

Once again Guevara has closed the gap in the championship – Gonzalez is now only 5.5 points ahead of Guevara, while Ortola is 68.5 points behind Guevara in 3^rd.

Moto2 returns to action for the Grand Prix of Australia at Phillip Island from 23^rd to 25^th of October.

Featured Image: motogp.com