Aron Canet won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Fantic Racing Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard won the 21-lap race by just 0.091 second.
Manuel Gonzalez was the runner-up on his Gresini Kalex.
The Brazilian rider, Diogo Moreira finished third on his Italtrans Racing Team Kalex.
2024 Moto2 World Champion, Ai Ogura finished fourth on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Canet fends off Gonzalez as Moreira seizes a maiden podium. The #44 has clinched victory, finishing ahead of Manuel Gonzalez and the late-charging Diogo Moreira at the Solidarity GP.
Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) has grabbed victory at the Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona, holding firm after a stunning ride from the #44. Canet defended in the closing laps, beating Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™) after the #18 showed incredible late-race pace but was unable to invent a move. Gonzalez added a further 20 points to his tally, finishing ahead of Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing) on a special podium. Moreira also became the 2024 Moto2™ rookie of the year and the first Brazilian to finish on the podium in the intermediate class since 1973.
As the lights went out, Gonzalez clinched the holeshot, swiftly taking the lead in the opening laps with Ogura hot in pursuit. It was a fantastic launch from the #18, while polesitter Canet had a difficult start, dropping down to 10th in the opening sector – leaving him with work to do. Canet worked hard, carving his way into the top five before entering the podium battle on Lap 2.
It was a challenging start for Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), who ran wide at Turn 1 and was later involved in an early incident with Jorge Navarro (OnlyFans American Racing Team) at Turn 5 – riders OK. Zonta van den Goorbergh’s (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) and Celestino Vietti’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) day also came to an early end, colliding at Turn 1 on Lap 2.
Gonzalez put the hammer down in the opening laps, eking a half-a-second margin over polesitter Canet. Meanwhile, Fermin Aldeguer (Sync SpeedUp) served his Long Lap penalty from the Thai GP, dropping the #54 to 13th position. Aldeguer had work to do, beginning to carve through the field – entering the all-important top 10.
Canet’s key move came on Lap 4, igniting a duel with Gonzalez at the front of the field. Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) sat comfortably in third, chipping away at the leader’s gap as the newly crowned World Champion used a special livery to celebrate a successful 2024 campaign for MT Helmets – MSI.
Ogura had Moreira for company, with the Brazilian glued to the #79’s stars’ tailpipe – kickstarting a thrilling duel. It was a remarkable ride from Moreira, showing a consistent pace which was able to match Ogura. The battle ignited on lap 19, with Moreira’s first attempt arriving at Turn 3, with Ogura responding instantly at Turn 4.
It was set up to be a grandstand finish, with Gonzalez edging closer to Canet aty everything sector, with the podium set to be decided on the final lap. Moreira would initially pounce at Turn 1, taking third with Brazilian holding firm as Gonzalez looked for an opportunity on the final lap.
Canet secured glory after a drag race to the line, winning by just 0.091s, fending off the hard-charging Gonzalez at the flag. It was a stunning end to the Grand Prix, with Moreira and Ogura’s duel being decided at the final corner. The Brazilian stepped the podium for the first time, with a mere 0.043s separating the pair.
Ogura took fourth, unable to finish on the podium in his final Moto2 Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) rounded out the top five positions as Sergio Garcia capped off a confidence-boosting end to the season, a strong day for the MT Helmets – MSI squad. The #3 was ahead of Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) in seventh as Albert Arenas (Gresini Moto2™) rounded out the top eight spots.
Meanwhile, Sync SpeedUp’s Alonso Lopez and Aldeguer rounded out the top 10 spots, with their sights firmly set on 2025. Another rider who will now look towards 2025 is Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), with the #35 claiming 11th ahead of the competitive Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). Further back, Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Preicanos Racing Team’s Jaume Masia took the final points on a special Sunday.
The 2024 Moto2™ World Championship comes to an end after a rollercoaster season which saw Ogura take the crown. With the #79 stepping up to the premier class, everything is up for grabs in 2025, so make sure you keep up to date with the off-season on motogp.com!