Qualifying:
Quali for Moto2 flagged up an interesting result. P1 was Sam Lowes, with the rookie Raul Fernandez P2 and a welcome surprise with Bo Bendsneyder taking P3. Raul was a rising star in Moto3 and Bo, too tall for Moto3, maybe will find his way in Moto2.
Moto2 races have previously been a bit strung out, the riders not packed like Moto3, and this can lead to some not so exciting racing, but now we have a number of the Moto3 stars who have graduated, fresh and hungry, things might change.
The Race
Marco Bezzecchi shot away at the start, taking the lead as Sam Lowes and Bo Bensneyder chased him down over the first lap. Second lap and Sam Lowes took back his P1 from Bezzecchi, with Raul Fernandez tucked into them both. At this stage Jake Dixon was 4th, very good to see considering the condition of his wrist, touch and go over the Winter if he was to race at all, ever. Remy Gardner took the fastest lap, a sign of things to come.
With 16 laps to go Sam Lowes was pulling a handy lead, he has changed his riding style, smoothing things out, spotting every apex, and it’s working for him.
Mid-race, 10 laps to go and things had settled. Sam Lowes still P1, Raul Fernandez was chasing Sam down, with Bezzecchi close by and Remy Gardner fourth, Dixon 5th. Dixon dropping to seventh, Fabio DiGiannantonio was on the move into fifth, Fabio was always an exciting Moto3 rider, and looking good on his Moto2 machine. Soon though, Remy was to make his move to P2 leaving Raul in 3rd and Bezzecchi fourth.
Red Bull KTM Ajo have a solid line up with the experienced Remy Gardner and the dynamic rookie Raul Fernandez, and this first race was showing the decision making of team manager/owner, the canny Aki Ajo is spot on as usual.
From 10 laps to go to 2 to go, things had become a bit predictable, and Sam Lowes was certainly comfortable, running his own race in the lead. Those following however still had business to settle, Fabio DiGiannantonio in fourth now pulling in third placed Marco Bezzecchi.
Last lap and it was Sam’s to lose, as he steadied his pace. The exciting bit was the class riding from Fabio as he sliced past Bezzecchi to take the third slot, ahead of him Remy Gardner who had run a measured and calm race.
The Result
Over the line it was Sam Lowes, Elf Marc VDS Racing team, looking good in burgundy, second Remy Gardner Red Bull KTM Ajo and third Fabio Giannantonio, Federal Oil Gresini Moto2, a great race for DiGi and the team after the loss of boss Fausto Gresini, sadly taken by Covid19.Raul Fernandez was fourth, Aki Ajo’s faith in the young rookie vindicated, and a shout out to Jake Dixon, Petronas Sprinta Racing, a class act with the wrist injury still bugging him.
Moto2 is looking good, and with the other rookies from Moto3 getting stronger race by race, we are looking forward to some more exciting racing from this class in 2021.
Next week the MotoGP grids will be back at the Losail circuit in Qatar, see you there for more sparked
・・・
Every ride should be an adventure… Tell us where you’re riding @bikedirectory and we will feature your pics and add your location to our directory. Also, we want to crowdfund and publish a book with 50 of the best short stories/poems or anecdotes that we can, and we need your help to do it. Be bold and get writing, and re-writing, and drop us a story. Stay safe! Visit https://bikedirectory.co.uk/get-published and don’t forget to follow and/or like us!
・・・
#bikedirectory #MotoGP #Moto2#BTsport #QatarGP #SamLowes #RemyGardner #FabioGiannantonio#Motorcycle#Racing #Motorsport #MotoGPisBack#ThisIsMotoGP
Author: Martin Northern
Founder of Bike Directory
