Moto2 Le Mans France Race: Tony Arbolino triumphs, Sam Lowes and Pedro Acosta on the mat!

At Le Mans, the Moto2 race generated a lot of expectations. It's true that the grid is stocked with promising talent, some of whom are definitely destined for greatness. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), performing well here last year, had his say, as did Alonso López (Boscoscuro Speed ​​Up Racing), second on the grid, and Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team), third. at the beginning. But veteran Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) Was he not the ultimate favorite after his exploit yesterday? As a reminder, the Briton took pole position after breaking the track record. In Jerez, he won in style, which confirms his return to the highest level.

Finally, it is Tony Arbolino who imposed himself under the noses of his adversaries. Relive the race in detail throughout this article.

Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the facts known so far:

Moto2™ Le Mans	2022	2023
FP1	1'36.108 Somkiat Chantra	1'36.658 Filip Salač
FP2	1'36.030 Augusto Fernández	1'36.178 Sam Lowes
FP3	1'35.861 Pedro Acosta	1'39.171 Somkiat Chantra
Q1	1'36.259 Lorenzo Dalla Porta	1'36.654 Fermín Aldeguer
Q2	1'36.803 Pedro Acosta	1'35.791 Sam Lowes
warm up	1'36.343 Pedro Acosta	XXXXXXXXXX
Course	Augusto Fernández, Canet, Chantra	Arbolino, Salač, Lopez
All time lap record	1'35.861 Pedro Acosta (2022)	1'35.791 Sam Lowes (2023)

 

The weather is perfect: Not a cloud on the horizon. However, the problems start well before departure. Borja Gomez (Fantic Racing) is already idling in the formation lap. This could well prevent him from starting the race. Dunlop informs us about the choices made by the Moto2 riders at Le Mans, always interesting information. As in Moto2, everyone chose the same components. 

 

 

Let's go ! What departure fromAlonso lopez ! Him and Tony Arbolino get the better of Sam Lowes in the Dunlop Chicane. Quickly, the two men took advantage of a small lead, the Briton was third. 

 

 

After the first round, Tony Arbolino swallows the Boscoscuro in the straight but Sam Lowes loses the bike at the entrance to the Dunlop Chicane! Amazing ! The pole sitter is out ! What a fall, but luckily he seems to be doing well. His bike was in trouble on the track and even missed taking on his teammate Tony Arbolino!

RED FLAG! Just afterwards, several drivers were involved in a huge accident at the exit of the Chapel. This is'Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo, Manuel González (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp) and Arón Canet (Wegow Pons Los40). Everyone is conscious, but Canet seems to be in difficulty in the gravel trap. 

 

 

The race will be restarted from the beginning, for two thirds of the planned distance, with the initial starting positions. The mechanics of theElf MarcVDS Racing Team are busy around Lowes' machine, because as crazy as it may seem, the Briton could well be at the start of the second race! 

The procedure already allows Borja Gomez to return for the second start. AMAZING ! The mechanics had won their bets but once Sam Lowes on the repaired bike, only five seconds were missing before he could get back on the track. What a pity ! Well done to the mechanics for trying to repair this bike in time, even if the pole sitter will only be able to start from last position.

 

 

No less than 14 rounds are on the program, while the public applauds Sam Lowes and its teams. However, the three drivers involved in the incident which caused the red flag will not appear on the grid. 

The second race is on! Tony Arbolino realize the hole shot and immediately begins to widen a gap on Alonso Lopez. Pedro Acosta remains in contact with the duo, while Filip Salač (QJMotor Gresini Racing) chases the head.

 

 

Peter Acosta almost falling into the Chapel too! This benefits Tony Arbolino, which is already starting to escape. Acosta even moved into second with the MarcVDS driver in his sights, now six tenths behind. 

 

 

Alonso lopez is in difficulty: Unhooked by Peter Acosta, he now goes through Filip Salač. Tony Arbolino unable to widen the gap, but Peter Acosta doesn't get any closer though. Status Quo 10 laps from the finish.

AMAZING ! We bring bad luck to him: Pedro Acosta falls at the Museum! A very rapid fall as he wanted to secure this victory at Le Mans, having already fallen last year. Fortunately, the pilot is fine but big points are lost. 

 

 

now Tony Arbolino leads comfortably ahead Filip Salač but the Italian misses the Chapel, which costs him half his advance. Half a second ahead, he must remain vigilant. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro Speed ​​Up Racing), although promising this weekend, is now receiving a long lap for having cut at Chemin aux Bœufs. Terrible: he was in seventh position, and came out tenth.

Slowly but surely, Salač gets closer toArbolino. The race is far from over. With five laps to go, Arbo' only has a three-tenths lead. The tension is perceptible. Every tenth gained is a victory in itself, and there is no doubt that Filip will give everything for his potential first victory in the category. 

 

 

With two laps to go before the checkered flag, Tony Arbolino can no longer be caught. Here he is the winner, ahead Filip Salač et Alonso Lopez. What a race! The two congratulate each other on arrival, a beautiful image. Tony Arbolino thereby becomes the new leader of the world championship. 

 

 

Results of the French Moto2 Grand Prix on the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans: 

 

Moto2 Le Mans ranking credit: motogp.com

Cover photo: MarcVDS