Moto2 Portugal Race: After Moto3 in 2020, Moto2 in 2021: Raul Fernandez is at ease in Portimao!

Sam Lowes (Kalex, Elf Marc VDS, #22) seems subscribed to pole positions this year: the proof again this Saturday with this time of 1'42.901, which allowed him to outperform his opponents in qualifying. For the moment, the leader of the World Championship is therefore performing flawlessly. It remains to be seen whether he will also achieve a flawless performance in the race…

But it was a close call, because within 23 thousandths Remy gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #87) would have wanted to dislodge. The Australian, who failed to find the few hundredths of a second to take pole position, had to settle for second place on the starting grid, but was on fire this morning during the Warm Up session , since he broke the lap record. The battle on the track looks good, since Remy gardner appreciates this route on which victory smiled on him last year

If the top two was quite predictable, there were still a few surprises behind them, the first row being completed by Xavi Verge (Kalex, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #97), which had to go through Q1 yesterday afternoon.

The rookie Ai Ogura (Kalex, Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, #79) opens the second row of the grid, first in front Raul fernandez (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #25), but the Spaniard's best time was canceled due to a yellow flag infraction and promoted Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46, #72) and Augusto Fernandez (Kalex, Elf Marc VDS, #37) on the second row.

Remy gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #25), must internally face a serious problem and opponent, in the person of his teammate and rookie Raul Fernandez…little youngster who had the luxury in Qatar of getting on the third step of the podium. The Australian will have to work hard not to let the victory train pass him by, because the competition is tough!

Here is the table that refreshes our memory, before the start of the race…

Moto2™ Portimao	2020	2021
FP1	1'43.740 Marcos Ramírez	1'43.905 Joe Roberts
FP2	1'42.941 Luca Marini	1'43.144 Joe Roberts
FP3	1'42.728 Remy Gardner	1'42.643 Remy Gardner
Q1	1'43.032 Marco Bezzecchi	1'43.318 Sonkiat Chantra
Q2	1'42.592 Remy Gardner	1'42.901 Sam Lowes
Warm Up	1'43.363 Marcel Schrötter	1'42.447 Remy Gardner
Course	Gardner, Marini, Lowes	Fernandez, Canet, Gardner
All time lap record	1'42.592 Remy Gardner	1'42.447 Remy Gardner

The drivers are ready to set off for this last race of the WE, 23 laps long, the air temperature was 25°C and that of the track 44°C.

The tension rises in the pre-grid: Sam Lowes (Kalex, Elf Marc VDS, #22) will he make the pass of 3? Remy Gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #87) will he make it in the race, after his superb times at Warm Up?

When the red lights go out, Remy gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #87) takes the lead in front Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46, #72). Xavi Virgo (Kalex, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #97) is third. Sam Lowes (Kalex, Elf Marc VDS, #22), who had a bad start, suffered a highside at turn 1. That's it for him this weekend.

Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46, #72) gets hot at the exit of turn 15, but stays on his wheels and maintains his second place.

At the end of the first round, Remy gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #87) leads in front Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46, #72) and Joe Roberts (Kalex, Italtrans Racing Team, #16). The first 6 drivers are within 1 second. Raul fernandez (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #25) set the fastest lap in the race, with a 1'43.566. He is currently fifth, in the leading group.

Jorge Navarro (Boscoscuro, Speed ​​Up Racing, #9) fell at turn 5, without gravity.

The battle rages for second place between Remy Gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #87) and Joe Roberts (Kalex, Italtrans Racing Team, #16), while Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46, #72) took control of the race. This trio stands out a little from the pursuing group.

With 19 rounds remaining, Stefano manzi (Kalex, Flexbox HP 40, #62) is the victim of a highside and Yari Montella (Boscoscuro, Speed ​​Up Racing, #5) hits him, the fall is impressive, the bikes catch fire, but the riders are unhurt.

Ai Ogura (Kalex, Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, #79) and his teammate Somkiat Chantra (Kalex, Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, #35) also held on. We're off to an elimination race!

Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46, #72) took the opportunity to get ahead of his pursuers: with 17 laps to go, he already had a little more than a second of margin on Remy gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #87) and Aron canet (Boscoscuro, Aspar team, #44).

Remy gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #87) had problems after 10 laps of the race, probably a false neutral, which caused him to lose time. He is fighting for 4th place with his teammate, Raul fernandez (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #25). During this time, Aron canet (Boscoscuro, Aspar team, #44) and Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46, #72) exchange first place. This makes the business of Joe Roberts (Kalex, Italtrans Racing Team, #16), who enters the battle for first place. The cards are completely reshuffled.

Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46, #72) drops back, he is now 5th, behind the 2 Red Bull KTM Ajos.

Nicholas Bulega (Kalex, Federal Oil Gresini Moto2, #11) and Celestine Vietti (Kalex, Sky Racing Team VR46, #13) caught on at turn 1, with 12 laps remaining, and almost came to blows. The track marshals separate them! Race Direction will study this incident after the finish.

There are 10 rounds left, Joe Roberts (Kalex, Italtrans Racing Team, #16) leads the race in front Aron Canet (Boscoscuro, Aspar team, #44) and Remy Gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #87). A group of 7 drivers can still claim victory: Roberts, Canet, Gardner, Bezzecchi, Virgo, Fernandez (Augusto and Raul).

Jake dixon (Kalex, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #96) in turn fell at turn 8, without gravity, even if his machine rolled over numerous times.

Aron canet (Boscoscuro, Aspar team, #44) gives everything he can, his bike moves a lot, which makes him lose time. Raul fernandez (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #25) and Xavi Verge (Kalex, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #97) touch each other several times.

5 laps from the presentation of the checkered flag, Aron Canet (Boscoscuro, Aspar team, #44) took the lead on Joe Roberts (Kalex, Italtrans Racing Team, #16), who follows him very closely.

The virtual podium is completed by Raul Fernandez (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #25), who once again set the best lap in the race: 1'43.008. He took the opportunity to overtake the American driver at turn 1, who missed his braking.

It then goes back up Aron canet (Boscoscuro, Aspar team, #44) and takes control of the race. After the victory in Moto3 in 2020, can he win in Moto2 in 2021 on this same track?

The Madrid driver widens the gap, there are 2 laps remaining and he is a little more than half a second ahead of Aron Canet (Boscoscuro, Aspar team, #44) and Joe Roberts (Kalex, Italtrans Racing Team, #16). He is also the only driver to run below 1'43, with a lap completed in 1'42.864.

At the start of the last round, Raul fernandez (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #25) is more than a second ahead of his pursuers. He wins the race in front Joe Roberts (Kalex, Italtrans Racing Team, #16) and Remy gardner (Kalex, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #87), who put the pressure on until the end, even if it meant coming into contact with Aron canet (Boscoscuro, Aspar team, #44).

Moto2 Portuguese Grand Prix standings:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com