The 2 Moto2025 Spanish Grand Prix will remain etched in the memory of Barry Baltus and the entire Fantic Racing team. On the Jerez circuit, the Belgian put in a top-flight performance to secure second place, his first podium of the season and the second of his career after the one achieved in Qatar in 2024..
From the free practice sessions, Baltus proved to be among the fastest, confirming the good feelings he had already experienced during the winter tests in Jerez.. In qualifying, he narrowly missed pole position, only 0,077 seconds behind Manuel Gonzalez, and started from fourth on the grid..
In the race, Barry Baltus demonstrated great driving intelligence. Without burning his batteries in the early laps, he managed the pace and tires despite the heat and pressure from the pack. By the third lap, he had moved into the leading group and, on lap seven, he overtook Diogo Moreira to move into second place. He then resisted the pressure until the checkered flag, delivering a remarkable performance that confirms his progress since the start of the season..
“I am very happy to get on my first podium with Fantic Racing, Barry Baltus confides at the arrival. We've worked really hard since the start of the season. This is only the first one, but there are still 18 races to go, 18 more chances. We have to push even harder to stay here. During the race, I focused on managing my pace and tires."
“The last five laps were very stressful because I really wanted to get on the podium, He continues. Jerez is a special place, it's a circuit where many Spanish drivers do a lot of laps, it's a home GP for them. Also, the crowd is incredible, there are people everywhere and the atmosphere is incredible. This podium is for my family, and especially my mother who is watching us from up there. It's the first without her, but she is there [in her heart. Editor's note]. Thanks to my team and everyone who has always supported me from the beginning. I can't wait for Le Mans, a GP that is like a home race for me!
With these 20 points, Barry Baltus climbs to fourth place in the Moto2 championship (53 points), confirming his status as a revelation at the start of the season.. Fantic Racing, for its part, retains the lead in the team classification, despite the double podium finish for the Intact GP team.
For Aron Canet, the weekend was more complicated: a crash in qualifying relegated him to seventh on the grid, and he had to settle for eighth place in the race. Despite this, these points allow him to stay in contact with leader Manuel Gonzalez, who won at Jerez and reclaimed the championship lead with 86 points, seven ahead of Canet..
© Fantic Racing
