Moto2 Italy – Race: Roberts wins his duel against Gonzalez

After a Catalan Grand Prix made difficult by the need to demonstrate excellent tire management, Moto2 is heading towards the technical Mugello track, to compete in the Italian Grand Prix. In the championship, Sergio Garcia took advantage of his victory in Barcelona to widen the gap over Joe Roberts. The American is now nineteen lengths behind the lead, while he sees the return of Ai Ogura, whose last races were successful.

Before we begin, here is a summary table of the known facts: 

Moto2™ Italy, Mugello	2023	2024
FP	1'50.928 Pedro Acosta	1'51.311 Fermin Aldeguer
P1	1'51.170 Pedro Acosta	1'50.841 Somkiat Chantra
P2	1'50.514 Pedro Acosta	1'49.926 Alonso Lopez
Q1	1'51.438 Joe Roberts	1'50.583 Jeremy Alcoba
Q2	1'50.796 Arón Canet	1'49.877 Joe Roberts
Course	Acosta, Arbolino, Dixon (See here)
All time lap record	1'50.514 Pedro Acosta (2023)

Race : 

Before the start of the event, it was shortened due to red flags which disrupted the Moto3 race earlier in the day. From the 19 laps initially programmed, 7 passages were subtracted.

Joe Roberts and Darryn Binder each got off to a good start from the front. Thus the pole-sitter managed to maintain his advantage at turn 1, while the South African moved into third position.

Fermin Aldeguer, on the contrary, did not take advantage of the departure to move up the hierarchy. Starting 18th after missing Q2, the Spaniard lost four positions, which he however regained at the end of the first lap. Hazardous start also for Tony Arbolino, 25th when completing the first pass.

During this start of the event, which can be described as a sprint race, Alonso Lopez displays a competitive pace, which allows him to stay in contact with Joe Roberts. While the leading trio, still completed by Binder, escaped, Sergio Garcia remained stuck in sixth position. A situation that could cost him dearly in the championship.

At the start of the fourth round, Lopez puts pressure on Roberts. A time-consuming duel which sees their competitors return at high speed. While the SpeedUp driver took control, his teammate, Fermin Aldeguer, fell during a duel with Jeremy Alcoba.

At mid-race, Lopez was still in front, while Binder, then 4th, made a mistake. Sergio Garcia takes the opportunity to put himself in the top-5, and begins to threaten Aron Canet.

Four laps from the finish, Joe Roberts tried to regain the lead, but hit Lopez who had prepared his defense. Both men go wide, which benefits Manuel Gonzalez who gets in front. Joe Roberts lost two places in the incident, and returned to the racing line to close the door on Garcia.

An intense fight for the front posts then begins between the leading men. Before the next round, Aron Canet and Joe Roberts took turns taking the lead. Behind, Garcia is surprised by his teammate, Ai Ogura.

Before starting the last lap, it is impossible to predict the names of those who will appear on the podium. Joe Roberts, however, resisted Manuel Gonzalez, and regained the lead with authority after the latter had passed, thus securing victory. Behind the first two, Alonso Lopez holds off the MT Helmets – MSI duo to secure a podium.

Sergio Garcia limits the damage to the championship by finishing fourth, ahead of Ai Ogura. Celestino Vietti is the first Italian to reach the finish line. The local finishes its 100th weekend in the world championship in seventh position.

Barry Baltus finished a difficult Grand Prix in 18th position. A result which does not reflect the progress made at the start of the weekend. Excellent comeback from Tony Arbolino with the Marc VDS team. In the space of twelve laps, the Italian gained 9 positions, to cross the finish line 16th. Who knows what the No. 14 would have been capable of with seven more laps?

Joe Roberts, winner of the Italian Moto2 GP:

“Winning a Grand Prix is ​​satisfying, but winning a Grand Prix at Mugello is even more satisfying. At the beginning I tried to widen the gap, but I didn't succeed, then it was about giving everything and fighting to maintain my advantage. I don't know what to say, I'm just super happy. Grazie Mille Mugello. »

Moto2 Italian Grand Prix race results at Mugello:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com