Maiden Moto2™ win for Alex Marquez: ‘Pistolas’ shoots back
First intermediate class win for the 2014 Moto3™ World Champion – and in some style
Alex Marquez (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) took a stunning maiden win at the Spanish GP, crossing the line three and a half seconds clear of an impressive first intermediate class podium for Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46). The rider from Cervera was back on the top step for the first time since the Moto3™ race in Motegi in 2014, the year he took the lightweight class crown. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took another podium for KTM in third, as Championship leader Franco Morbidelli (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) slid out of contention early on.
Marquez took the lead out of Turn 1 after a good start, with Morbidelli taking the apex first and then running a little wide – but it was an EG 0,0 Marc VDS 1-2 streaking away at the front as Dominique Aegerter (Kiefer Racing), Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) and Xavi Vierge (Tech 3 Racing) squabbled for third – with Bagnaia then getting up into the fight.
There was drama soon after as Simone Corsi (Speed Up Racing) lost control and slid out, taking Vierge and Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) out of contention with him – and the drama wasn’t over.
That incident left Pasini and Bagnaia fighting for third, ahead of Aegerter, Oliveira, Luca Marini (Forward Racing Team), Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP), Tom Lüthi (CarXpert Interwetten) and an impressive start for Khairul Idham Pawi (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) in the top ten – and a four second gap to the EG 0,0 Marc VDS pair up in the lead.
Back at the front, a small mistake from Marquez left Morbidelli to come through with 18 laps to go – before the unexpected suddenly hit the lead as the Championship leader slid out and Marquez found himself 4 and a half seconds ahead of Bagnaia on the chase. Keeping it calm and collected at the head of the race, the 2014 Moto3™ World Champion crossed the line in clear air to take his maiden Moto2™ win – and in front of the home crowd.
With the final laps approaching, Bagnaia had moved through into a more secure second to secure a stunning rookie podium, with Oliveira then hunting down Pasini to take third – the second rostrum for the KTM intermediate class chassis in four races. Veteran Italian Pasini crossed the line in fourth, ahead of Marini and Schrötter.
Dominique Aegerter followed up his top five in Texas with a seventh in Jerez, ahead of a good day in the points standings for Lüthi as the 2016 runner up came home eighth to cut some of the gap to Championship leader Franco Morbidelli.
Axel Pons (RW Racing GP) just lost ninth on the final lap to an impressive race from Yonny Hernandez (AGR Team), as the Colombian took a good points finish in the fourth race of the year.
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Forward Racing Team) was eleventh ahead of rookie Jorge Navarro (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), with Hafizh Syahrin (Petronas Raceline Malaysia) in thirteenth ahead of a solid ride from Red Bull KTM Ajo’ Ricky Cardus, standing in for injured reigning Moto3™ World Champion Brad Binder. Tetsuta Nagashima (Teluru SAG Team) locked out the points back on more familiar turf for the former FIM CEV Repsol Moto2™ frontrunner.
Le Mans now awaits as the Championship closes up – with Morbidelli looking for a comeback and Marquez fired up to stop him.
Moto2 Race Results
1 – Álex Márquez (SPA – Kalex) 43’24.350
2 – Francesco Bagnaia (ITA – Kalex) + 3.442
3 – Miguel Oliveira (POR – KTM) + 4.958
More, from a press release issued by Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS:
Márquez claims maiden Moto2 victory in home race in Spain
Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Álex Márquez claimed his maiden Moto2 Grand Prix victory with a dominant performance in his home race at Jerez today.
Márquez’s emotional victory came in his 39th Moto2 race start and triggered joyous celebrations. The 21-year-old Spaniard dedicated his Mother’s Day triumph to his mother Roser.
Márquez started the Spanish GP from pole position and set a fast early pace with teammate Franco Morbidelli a constant presence in second place.
But Morbidelli’s bid for a fourth consecutive win this season ended when he crashed on lap nine leaving Márquez to control the front-running to the chequered flag.
On a hot and sunny day in southern Spain Márquez finished 3.4s ahead of Pecco Bagnaia in second place.
World Championship leader Morbidelli scored zero points with his dramatic early exit when he lost the front-end at turn nine.
Just one lap earlier Morbidelli had taken the lead from Márquez when the Spaniard ran wide at turn five. But it was a brief appearance up front with Morbidelli’s shock early exit coming in full view of the closely following Márquez
Despite the DNF Morbidelli retains the lead in the standings with 75 points thanks to his three consecutive wins in the opening races of the season.
In advance of the next race at Le Mans Morbidelli is 11 points ahead of Tom Lüthi with Márquez fourth on 49 points.
Álex Márquez: 1st
“This is unbelievable, I could not have imagined a victory like this in front of my home fans. I want to dedicate this win to my mum on Mother’s Day. It was a long wait for three years to catch a victory and winning in Jerez is a dream come true. It was a difficult race in hot conditions and when I saw Franco crash I knew how easy it was to make mistake. I could not hold my maximum pace because I was on the limit with the front grip so just controlled the gap to the riders behind. I want to thank everyone in the team and all those who support me in Spain.”
Franco Morbidelli: DNF
“I made a mistake and lost the front-end going into turn nine, I’m sorry for this but it was my fault. I did not have the pace of Álex; I tried to go ahead out front but then crashed. I’m OK and still leading the points and will now focus on the next race in Le Mans.”
Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“It is a special day for the team when a rider wins his first race, this is something no one can take away. Álex was in fantastic form all weekend so he deserved this victory. It is disappointing that Franco did not finish as we had the chance of 1-2 result but racing is like this. But today we showed that both of our riders are capable of winning and Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS maintained its 100% winning record for the season so far.”
More, from a press release issued by Remy Gardner’s publicist:
Gardner Close To Spanish GP Top 20 After Heroic Return Ride
The first European Moto2 race of the season, the Spanish GP at Jerez, saw Tech 3 Yamaha’s Remy Gardner return to racing action after the Argentine GP less than a month ago that saw him suffer a broken leg through no fault of his own.
With screws and a plate still in place in his leg, the sheer determination to try to ride, let alone race was impressive with many observers saying that today’s 25 lap race around the twisty, undulating Andalucian circuit was heroic with Remy’s 22nd position at the flag providing a huge boost ahead of the French GP at historic Le Mans in a fortnight.
Easing himself back in gently, a wet Free Practice 1 on Friday was not what was needed, Remy completing only a few laps before improving rapidly in Free Practice 2 which was held in dryer conditions.
Further improvements in FP3 on Saturday saw Gardner only 1.5s from the top time ahead of qualifying which eventually saw the #87 make it on to the grid in a respectable 28th.
The target for the race was to simply finish, 25 laps at Jerez is a tall order for a fully fit rider, let alone one that was operated on a matter of weeks ago. Keeping out of trouble in the early laps, Gardner rode through the discomfort, battling hard with several riders to achieve a remarkable result just outside of the top twenty at the flag, his first GP finish of the season.
With two weeks until the next round in France, Remy will continue to train hard and heads to Le Mans happy that his season has finally started!
Remy Gardner – 22nd: “That was a tough race but the main thing is that we finished it and nobody took me out. After about five laps my ankle started to get really sore and to make things worse I had an allergy in my eye which started playing up. I couldn’t ride how I wanted to all weekend but I gave it my all and have a couple of weeks until we go to Le Mans so hopefully I will be fitter and stronger there. Big thanks to everyone who has been sending me positive messages on social media and of course to my Tech3 Moto2 Team.”
More, from a press release issued by Tech 3 Racing:
Resolute Tech3 duo persevere to finish tricky Spanish GP
Tech3 Racing Team rider Remy Gardner pushed through the pain to complete his first Moto2 race of the year as he bravely finished the challenging round four fight in 22nd despite his heavily injured ankle. The young Australian began from the head of the tenth row of the grid and progressed throughout the race before he met the chequered flag, as he showed admirable determination. Meanwhile, Xavi Vierge’s hopes of a strong finish in front of his home fans were cruelly cut short after he was involved in a multi-rider collision at turn six on the second lap whilst dicing near the front of the field. After the incident, the Spanish rider returned to the pits and rejoined the race but he was eventually forced to retire on the 16th lap.
Remy Gardner
Position: 22nd – Championship: Not Classified
“The GP today was certainly difficult but I gave my absolute all and I am happy to have completed the whole distance and not just half a lap, like the last times. It was very hot and after about seven or eight laps, it started to get really painful for me to change direction due to my injury. Also, my arms got tired because I had to use more of my upper body to compensate. In addition, my eyes began to swell up and close during the race for some reason, so it was definitely a tough one! Next week will just be recuperation, but for now, I just want to move on and focus on Le Mans. There, I hope to be in better shape and I’m sure we can have a more positive time.”
Xavi Vierge
Position: DNF – Championship: 10th – Points: 25
“I am pleased with how the weekend went but I can’t hide my disappointed about today’s result. This track was tricky for the team and me, but in every session, I did everything that I could to improve. I qualified well, and it was my best of the year, and I felt confident for the GP because my rhythm was positive. I made a really good start and reached 3rd at the second corner. Then, I pushed to try and stay with the leading bikes, but unfortunately, another rider crashed and collided with me. This is a big shame because I could have achieved a good result for the team, and most importantly, I could have collected a lot of points. Nevertheless, I must stay positive and I will return stronger so that the next GP will be more successful.”
Hervé Poncharal – Team Manager
“I am disappointed with what happened today in the Moto2 race for us. Xavi has done a great job all season and throughout the weekend here and it was a very important event for him in front of his home crowd. He had another incredible start as he was quickly up to third. We knew that he could run a good pace and we were confident about a top five finish, or possibly even a podium. This is what Xavi was doing, but unfortunately, and we have seen this happen before, he was taken out in the early stages. We are very disappointed because everything was ready for a strong result and we were there to complete the GP. In addition, we could see that once he picked up the bike and re-joined the race, his pace was good enough to be in the top five, despite the bike being a bit bent, but then he was forced to retire. It’s a real pity because we could have kept the fifth position in the championship but we have to accept that this kind of thing happens. Furthermore, we are still yet to end a Grand Prix with both guys, and every incident and DNF has happened because of someone else and not because of our riders. On the other side of the garage, I have to congratulate Remy Gardner for his never give up attitude and his strong desire to push even though he was in a lot of pain. We told him that it was fine if he chose to not race due to his injury. Yet, he fought until the end and this shows his pure grit. Everyone hopes that he will be closer to full fitness at Le Mans, where he can hopefully score his first points of the year. Xavi is very angry and hungry for success and the incident has doubled his determination. He is physically ok so let’s move on to Le Mans, the Tech3 team’s home Grand Prix, where hopefully we will have a bit more luck and some more speed.”
More, from a press release issued by Federal Oil Gresini Moto2:
MORE POINTS FOR NAVARRO AT JEREZ
Jorge Navarro has put together a positive race at ‘Circuito de Jerez’ as he finished in the points for the third consecutive Grand Prix after Argentina and Texas. It was not an encounter for the Federal Oil Team Gresini rider, especially due to his starting position (21st).
In front of his home crowd, the 21-year-old rookie from Spain was consistently fast in the first half of the race and that helped him moving into the top-10. As the race progressed, however, Navarro lost a bit of feeling with his Kalex Honda machine and had some moments which could have led to an early end to the race. Jorge eventually took his so-far best result in the middleweight class, a 12th place at the chequered flag – as well as three precious points to build on.
The next race of the Moto2 World Championship will take place in two weekend at the Le Mans Circuit in France, following a two-day private test a MotorLand Aragón (May 10-11).
12th – JORGE NAVARRO #9
“I’m ‘half happy’ with today: on one side we were really competitive in the first half of the race and we managed to make some good passes, while in the second half I wasn’t really comfortable with the bike. My body felt good, but I nearly lost the front in four different occasions. We need to be happy with this result, though, because we were starting from 21st place on the grid and finished 12th, my so-far best result in this class. With a better qualifying we could have easily battled for the top-10. We now need to stay focused: we’ve got a test this week that will allow us to try some changes to the bike geometry, so I hope we will be even readier for Le Mans.”
More, from a press release issued by Sky Racing Team VR46:
INCREDIBLE SECOND PLACE FOR BAGNAIA IN JEREZ
At the fourth race as a rookie in Moto2, Pecco gave to the Sky Racing Team VR46 the first podium in the new category. 25th Stefano Manzi.
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) – Only four races from Moto2 debut, the Sky Racing Team VR46 scored the first seasonal podium thanks to Francesco Bagnaia, who was second on the finishing line of the Spanish GP in Jerez. Pecco, a rookie in the category, was the protagonist, on his Kalex, of an incredible race with an optimal management of the rear tyre. With a good start from the second row, Bagnaia was immediately behind the winner of the race (Alex Marquez), he set his pace and he was second under the checkered flag. With today’s podium, Bagnaia is now fifth in the Championship standings with 33 points, best rookie.
Positive progress for Stefano Manzi who closed in 25th position. Stefano was able to reach the guys in front of him, but a crash forced him to the end of the group.
A truly amazing achievement for the whole team! From last November, everyone has done their maximum for reducing the gap from the Top guys. Thanks to the support of every person working for the Team at the circuit and at home, we have now scored a really important result after only four races from our debut in the category on a very demanding track as Jerez. It seemed a dream, but we did it. Pecco has been incredible: he was able to manage the rear tyre in the right way. He worked hard in these months and I am very happy for him. Stefano also did a good job: he was in the second group, fighting with other riders and a small mistake forced him at the end of the group. He is growing and this is our goal.
Francesco Bagnaia:
“What a great day! It was a very tough race, but beautiful. I struggled to keep the pace, I made a small mistake at turn 11 – ten laps to the end – but I was able to cross the finishing line. Being on the podium at the fourth race of my rookie season in Moto2 is a dream come true. After Austin we made a big step forward and here we were able to show our real potential. I want to thank the Sky Racing Team VR46 for all the work of these months, the VR46 Riders Academy, Kalex and of course all my family – they always supported me.”
Stefano Manzi
“It was a pity the crash at turn 13: after the start I was able to reduce the gap with the group and I was around the 20th position. I back on track for finishing the race, but I was at the end of the group. We did a great job this weekend and I’m confident for Le Mans.”
More, from a press release issued by AGR Team:
GREAT RACE FOR YONNY AT JEREZ!
María Herrera was not able to reach her aim of gathering points
Yonny Hernández improved greatly during the Moto2 race in Jerez. He started 22nd and finished 9th, gathering his first 7 points of the season. Meanwhile, María Herrera had to endure some problems and could not get into the points positions.
Moto2
The Argiñano & Ginés Racing Team rider, Yonny Hernández, had a very solid race. Progressing from the 22nd place, both leading his group and catching up with riders in front. He showed a great determination, as in the last 5 laps, even if he had a top 10 place secured, launched himself into the battle for the 9th place and waited to the last possible moment to finish even better than expected. He wanted to get points and he did. Everything needs to follow a process and Yonny’s adaptation will be done sooner or later, but always working for it. From this moment on, we should see the logical adaptation of a team that works to be in front.
Yonny Hernández #68 Kalex Moto2 / 9th: “I’m happy with the race because we got a good result and took a step forward. We had a good pace the whole weekend. We need to improve in Qualifying to start with the leading group. I want to thank the team for their work. This is a result that gives us confidence. I hope we can continue like this at Le Mans”.
Moto3
María Herrera, the Argiñano & Ginés Racing Team rider, had a difficult race today. The team is surprised by her lack of pace after the Qualifying, and she even did a good warm up, though it ended in a crash. She was not hurt, although the mechanical part was damaged. But the team worked to rebuild her KTM and have it ready for the race. The setup used in the morning was not the best in the race. Now we need to focus in Le Mans and in improving the situation.
María Herrera #6 KTM Moto3 / 24th: “The warm-up went well, but we had some trouble, the bike closed a lot and that is why I crashed. During the race, I had to deal with the same issue in every lap, the bike would close and push me out of the line. I rode very far from the level I wanted. The team worked very well and it’s a pity that I couldn’t wrap the weekend up properly. We’ll keep working at Le Mans “.
We go back home and from tomorrow we will start preparing the next race at the French circuit of Le Mans in 15 days.
More, from a press release issued by Forward Racing:
Fabulous fifth and best career result for Marini in Jerez
The fourth race of the 2017 Moto2 World Championship season commenced this midday under the Andalusian sun, which was brightly shining for the Forward Racing Team riders Luca Marini and Lorenzo Baldassarri.
With a solid start, Marini was able to keep his eleventh spot on the grid during the first lap, but soon started to work his determined way through the field. At half race distance the ambitious Italian conquered fifth place and defended his best career result after P6 in Qatar to the chequered flag, missing out on fourth by just 0.093 seconds. Marini leaves the 4.423-kilometer track in Spain with a strong seventh place in the overall standings.
On the other side of the Forward Racing Team garage Lorenzo Baldassarri had a long way starting from 19th on the grid to successively gain positions. In lap number nine he was already back in the points, improving further in order to finally finish in eleventh. After making up eight places in the highly competitive 25 lap race, the 20-year old occupies ninth in the general classification after four out of 18 races.
The World Championship now moves over to Le Mans, where the French Grand Prix will take place in just under two weeks’ time.
Luca Marini – 5th (+6.917)
“I’m very happy with our performance today, even though this was a quite demanding race. We worked really well during the entire weekend and arrived well prepared on the starting grid. I’m proud to have this kind of consistency this year, because until now I had four good races, always finishing in the Top 10 or close to it, which is very important. I was not too happy after the qualifying, because the race pace here is always very similar for all riders and it’s difficult to overtake. I think with a start from the first or second row, it would have been a different race. Anyway, for me it’s great to see that we’re just about to build a good base for the future.”
Lorenzo Baldassarri – 11th (+19.672)
“In all honesty, this weekend turned out to be a tricky one. I was lacking traction at the exit of the corners and even if we tried many different solutions, we were not able to find a perfect one. During the race itself, I still encountered this difficulty, but I intended to adapt my riding style as much as possible, which enabled me to be stronger during the final part of the race, as I also handled the tyre life in a better way. So, it wasn’t the weekend we expected, but finally I think, that we did some damage limitation and brought home the best possible result. Now we have to relax a little bit and analyze the weekend in order to be back stronger in Le Mans.”
Giovanni Cuzari – Team Owner
“First of all, I need to say that it was amazing to see so many fans on track today, who welcomed our riders back in Spain for the first European round. With regards to our performance I am truly impressed how mature Luca got during the last twelve months. He came to Jerez with high expectations after the positive winter tests and was able to accomplish them, even if qualifying didn’t go exactly to plan. But I’m sure that today’s fifth position will give him another huge confidence boost and we will see him even stronger in Le Mans. Lorenzo on the other hand did a very resolute and intelligent race, especially after the inconveniences he had to face yesterday. His final placement is for sure not what we would have hoped for, but he was able to collect valuable points, which might be important at the end of the Championship. Of course, I also want to thank the whole Forward Racing Team including the hospitality staff and everybody from the office in Switzerland for their hard work during this GP and take the opportunity to express our appreciation for the precious support of all our sponsors and technical partners.”