Manuel Gonzalez gained the Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Motegi, in Japan. Using his QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 Kalex on Pirelli management slick tires, the Spaniard gained the 12-lap race by 2.535 seconds. The race was red-flagged when it began raining on the primary lap, then declared a moist race, shortened to 12 laps, and restarted.
Championship chief Ai Ogura was the runner-up on his MT Helmets – MSI BOSCOSCURO, additionally on slicks.
Filip Salac took third on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Crew Kalex, on slicks.
American Joe Roberts began on rain tires however pitted for slicks and rejoined the race, finally being credited as twenty seventh on his OnlyFans American Racing Crew Kalex. Roberts left Japan fifth within the Moto2 World Championship level standings.
Ai Ogura leaves Japan with a 60-point lead within the World Championship.
Extra, from a press launch issued by Dorna:
Manuel Gonzalez is a Grand Prix winner, beating Ai Ogura and Filip Salac after an intense Sunday in Japan.
Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) is a Grand Prix winner after a showstopping race on the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, with the #18 remaining on slick tyres in difficult situations. It was an intense Grand Prix, which noticed Gonzalez seize victory from dwelling hero Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), who battled by way of the sphere in what might be a pivotal day for the Moto2™ World Championship. In the meantime, Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Crew) accomplished an unbelievable restoration trip in third after carving by way of the sphere from 18th on the grid.
Firstly, it was an unbelievable launch from polesitter Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Crew), launching into the lead at Flip 1. The #96 led on the opening lap from Alonso Lopez (Beta Instruments SpeedUp) and Ogura because the rain started to fall in Japan. The crimson flag was introduced out with the race to be restarted with authentic grid positions.
The race was restarted for 12 laps, with combined selections by way of tyres and a handful of riders choosing slicks, together with Championship chief Ogura. As soon as the Grand Prix restarted, it was one other phenomenal launch from Dixon, main forward of his teammate Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Crew) on moist tyres.
In the meantime, Championship chief Ogura plummeted down the order within the opening laps, dropping to 14th on Lap 1. Nonetheless, the house hero started to make floor, constructing temperature in his Pirelli tyres – storming into seventh on Lap 2. It was sensational to look at, with Ogura utilizing probably the most out of his Triumph engine to enter the rostrum locations one lap later.
One of many key strikes got here initially of Lap 4, with Ogura snatching the lead and setting the quickest lap. Gonzalez additionally started to search out unbelievable velocity on slicks, battling into second with Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Grasp Camp Crew), quickly getting into the rostrum positions.
On the entrance, Gonzalez started to edge nearer to Ogura, decreasing the Japanese star’s result in two seconds. Salac additionally entered the rostrum, overtaking Alcoba after ranging from 18th on the grid. It was an intense three-way struggle, with Alcoba and RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP’s Zonta Van den Goorbergh in chase.
The decisive transfer got here on Lap 9, with Gonzalez pouncing on Ogura – dropping the #79 to second place. As soon as Gonzalez hit the entrance, it was a formidable tempo from the Spaniard – stretching a one-second benefit.
On the ultimate lap, Gonzalez continued his sensational tempo, remaining unstoppable and cruising throughout the road to take his maiden Moto2™ victory. It was a dramatic day, which noticed Ogura take second and, crucially, a 60-point benefit within the Championship. The Japanese hero stood on the rostrum at dwelling, beating Salac, who claimed the ultimate spot on the rostrum after an unbelievable restoration.
Alcoba was capable of take the flag in fourth, ending simply 0.137s adrift from the rostrum rostrum in Japan. The #52 was capable of stretch the hole to Van den Goorbergh in fifth as Xavier Artigas (KLINT Ahead Manufacturing facility Crew) claimed a exceptional sixth place end. Artigas had an unbelievable day, ending forward of Celestino Vietti (Purple Bull KTM Ajo), with the Italian solely capable of end as excessive as seventh. Italtrans Racing Crew’s Diogo Moreira was eighth on the flag, an additional 0.512s behind.
Claiming the ultimate spots inside the highest 10 on Sunday had been Alonso Lopez (Beta Instruments SpeedUp) and Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Crew), with the Spaniards each choosing moist tyres. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Crew) scored 11th, whereas Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Instruments SpeedUp) took 12th. Polesitter Dixon crossed the flag in 13th, with Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) and Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP’s Darryn Binder securing the ultimate factors.
Now we head to the enduring Phillip Island for the Australian GP in two weeks, the place Ogura can have his first probability to be topped the Moto2™ World Champion!
