#PortugalGP – MOTO2: Canet completes the dream as Aldeguer carves through the field
After years of hard work and being competitive in the class Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) is a Moto2™ race winner – winning the race by two seconds. Canet finished his masterclass ahead of Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) who completed a brilliant weekend at Portimao. Polesitter Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) rounded out the podium places after a fierce battle for the podium.
As the lights went out, Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) made a start which was too good to be true, leading into turn one but would be handed a double LLP. Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) hit the front, launching an attack on his teammate before Aldeguer served the penalty. Aldeguer took his first LLP on lap four, dropping down to 11th before the second on lap seven, dropping to 13th.
Canet set the pace early on, stealing the fastest lap of the race while sitting in second – setting sights on a first Moto2™ win.
Polesitter Gonzalez sat in third position after finding a way through on the fast-charging Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI). Ogura’s fourth did not last long as Roberts and Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) found a way through.
As laps ticked down, Lopez maintained an advantage at the front until lap 11, when the race was blown wide open as the Spaniard lost the front at turn 13 – crashing out of the race. This promoted Canet into the lead and Roberts into second (at the venue the American claimed his first win in 2021).
All eyes were now on Canet in the lead and Aldeguer, who was carving through the field and back inside the top 10 in two laps. The Spaniard soon set the fastest lap, circulating quicker than Canet at the front of the field with 10 laps remaining.
Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was having a ferocious battle with Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) for seventh position (allowing Arenas to escape in front). They could not match the pace of Aldeguer on his mission to the front, as the #54 flew down the inside and remarkably entered fifth place.
It was beginning to build to be an incredible end to the race with a battle brewing inside the front group. Gonzalez found a way through on Roberts, trying to up the pace and catch Canet at the front.
Now with just three laps to go the gloves were off after Aldeguer launched a brave attack at turn three to pass Ogura briefly before the Japanese rider responded. Meanwhile, Roberts entered second position before (polesitter) Gonzalez quickly responded – putting pressure on the American.
Two laps remained as the dream began to look like a reality for Canet, crossing the line with a lead of almost two seconds with just 2.85 miles to go. You could cut the tension with a knife on the last lap of the race with Canet leading as an all-out battle for the final place on the podium was happening behind.
As the chequered flag Canet, made history, finally becoming a Moto2™ race winner, beginning celebrations on the exit of the final corner. Roberts continues to celebrate success In Portimao, finishing second. Gonzalez finished in third, beating Aldeguer who came across the line to finish in a remarkable fourth position. Ogura dropped to fifth on the final lap after a near highside on the exit of turn four.
Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) battled to sixth place, in yet another impressive race from the Spaniard. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) showed some impressive late-race pace (ending the race in seventh), finishing ahead of Arenas who dropped to eighth. Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) and Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) rounded out the top 10 positions.
Alcoba and Arbolino continued their battle to the line but dropped down to 11th and 12th at the end of 21 laps. RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP’s Barry Baltus ended the race and came home to finish in 13th in front of both Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP riders, Senna Agius and Darryn Binder who scored the last points.
“”It was a difficult race, especially the first few laps. Yesterday we had made a step forward, but today I struggled at the start: I had no feeling and I couldn’t ride like I have all weekend. I want to thank the whole team for the great work we have done together: we have found the way forward, now let’s keep working”.
Dennis Foggia – P17
“I am very happy with the race. We made another step forward and now we understand the bike better. Step by step we are getting closer to the leaders, we have to keep working. I want to thank the team for this weekend.”
Diogo Moreira – P18
“I’m very happy with today’s race, I learned a lot. The changes we made helped me a lot in the race. Very happy with the result although we have to work more on the bike to avoid destroying the front tyre as it happened today. We are going to Austin more prepared and understanding the bike.”
Jaume Masia – P21
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