Italian Grand Prix Mugello Moto2 Race: Miguel Oliveira, started 11th, on the last lap!

In the temple of Mugello, fully committed to the cause of Valentino Rossi, the thousands of spectators massed on the hills of the Tuscan circuit only dream of one thing while waiting for the MotoGP race: that Mattia Pasini (Kalex, Italtrans Racing Team) , a close friend of the Doctor, produces a show as flamboyant as that of last year when the Italian pilot enchanted all the enthusiasts with his incredible passes on Alex Márquez (Kalex, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) and Tom Lüthi (Kalex, CarXpert Interwetten)!

And, this is quite good, the fiery and deserving Italian will start in pole position, accompanied on the first row by Marcel schrotter (Kalex, Dynavolt Intact GP) and… Alex Marquez.

We can also count on a good half-dozen drivers capable of fighting for at least a podium to liven up the race, starting with Francis Bagnaia (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46), Simone Courses (Kalex, Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2), Romano Fenati (Kalex, Marinelli Snipers Team), Lucas Marini (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46), Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex, Pons HP 40), Joan mir (Kalex, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) and Miguel Oliveira (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo).

On the French side, we will observe Fabio Quartararo (Speed ​​Up, Beta Tools – Speed ​​Up Racing) and Jules Danilo (Kalex, SAG Team) who will start from 16th and 29th positions respectively.

A few moments before the red lights go out, the sun is still out, heating the air to 28° and the track to between 40 and 47° depending on the location.

Despite the heat, all the drivers chose the soft rear rubber:

Here are the timing references available before this 21-lap race:

Mugello Moto2™	2017	2018
FP1	1'52.568 Franco Morbidelli	1'52.515 Alex Marquez
FP2	1'52.229 Alex Marquez	1'52.124 Joan Mir
FP3	1'51.963 Mattia Pasini	1'52.068 Mattia Pasini
Qualification	1'51.679 Franco Morbidelli	1'51.575 Mattia Pasini
Warm Up	1'52.115 Alex Marquez	1'52.316 Francesco Bagnaia
Course	Pasini, Lüthi, Marquez
All time lap record	1'51.514 Sam Lowes 2015

 

When the red lights go out, Marcel Schrotter takes command while Mattia Pasini initially performs much more cautiously.

At the next turn, the German driver lost control of his Kalex and left the leadership to Alex Marquez followed by Francesco Bagnaia, Miguel Oliveira et Roman Fenati.

At the end of the first round, the fight is hot between the first 3 and it is finally Francis Bagnaia, the championship leader, who is leading despite unexplained pain in his shoulders and arms.

For the moment, overtaking is mainly done at the end of the long straight and, on the next passage, Miguel Oliveira takes the opportunity to take advantage of the aerodynamics of his KTM.

Little by little, a group of 7 pilots broke away from the peloton led by Xavi Verge : Miguel Oliveira, Mattia Pasini already returned, Francesco Bagnaia, Alex Márquez, Romano Fenati, Joan Mir et Lorenzo Baldassarri.

After 4 rounds, Mattia Pasini takes charge of operations while Will Bendsneyder withdraws and Jorge Navarro fall without gravity.

Pasini et Olive tree then fight like ragpickers, the Italian rewarding us with spectacular overtakes by diving inside the turns.

Sam Lowes suffered his 3rd fall of the weekend, his 11th of the year.

Roman Fenati is forced to return to his box due to a brake problem, and there are then only 6 of them left who can compete for a podium while Fabio Quartararo rose to 12th position. His teammate, Danny Kent, suffered a minor fall in San Donato.

Dominique Aegerter, still suffering after his off-road accident, entered the points, in 14th position.

In the lead, while Stefano manzi fall at turn number 2, Mattia Pasini created a small advantage of half a second over Lorenzo Baldassarri.

Unfortunately, 8 laps from the checkered flag, the Italian driver crashed at San Donato and the crowd shouted their disappointment.

So, Lorenzo Baldassarri take the opportunity to return to Miguel Oliveira and make a first attack.

Hector Barbera hangs Tetsuta Nagashima at turn 3 while in the lead Lorenzo Baldassarri et Miguel Oliveira play “one shot you, one shot me”. Obviously, the 2 men lose time, which allows Francesco Bagnaia to gradually return to firing range.

He carries with him Joan mir and it is therefore 3 drivers who begin the last lap in the wake of Lorenzo Baldassarri. He almost loses control of his Kalex on a vibrator and has to let it pass. Miguel Oliveira who wins by 2/10 after starting from 11th place on the grid!

Joan mir completes the podium in front of a Francis Bagnaia probably exhausted.

fabio quartararo finished 11th while Jules Danilo abandoned.

Mugello Moto2 Race classification:

Credit rankings: MotoGP.com