Franco Morbidelli rode a clinical race to clinch his first-ever career victory in the Moto2 category at the Losail International Circuit yesterday.
The Italian had secured the pole position after the qualifying session were cancelled. And yesterday, despite Thomas Luthi taking over the lead in the second lap, Morbidelli was able to retake the lead in the next lap and didn’t relinquish it till the chequered flag.
Luthi finished second and in third place was Takaaki Nakagami. The Japanese rider started the race in fourth place and survived a nervous last-lap battle with KTM rider Miguel Oliveira to take the final spot on the podium.
Morbidelli was a happy man after finally registering a win. “It’s just great! It’s a very good feeling after all this time. Coming from where I have, it’s just amazing to get this victory,” said the Italian yesterday.
For Luthi, the pace that Morbidelli showed towards the end proved to be too much. “I tried to fight with Franco. At the start he was not pushing so much. I thought I had a good flow but I knew he could go faster. I could still control the gap to Nakagami toward the end. Now we’re on the podium and looking for more,” said Luthi.
With the top two spots going to Spaniards, Japanese Nakagami prevented an all-Spanish podium with his third-place finish. “My bike was a little unstable compared to Luthi and Morbidelli but this is only the first race. I’m really happy with that,” said Nakagami after the race.
Qatar’s only representative, Saed al-Sulaiti, crashed out in the seventh lap.
In the Moto 3 race it was Leopard Racing’s Joan Mir who took the top spot on the podium. The Spaniard had started sixth on the grid but produced a gritty ride to see off his competition and take only the second GP win of his career.
British Talent Team rider John McPhee was another rider in the spotlight after taking the second step on the podium having started way down in 13th place. In third place was pole position man Jorge Martin.
“It was an amazing race. It’s amazing to begin the season like this! I want to thank my team for my fast bike. Also thank Honda,” said Mir after his win.
“The race involved a lot of strategy. I studied my rivals a lot. This is the second victory of my life and it’s amazing,” added the Spaniard.
For McPhee, who was making a debut in this class, it was a result that will boost his confidence going into the season. “I can’t thank everyone enough. I’ve been given this great opportunity. All race the bike was so fast. I felt really strong in the group. Position wise this weekend hasn’t been great but I’ve stuck to the plan. I’m delighted,” said the British rider.
Results
Moto2 (Top 10)
1. Franco Morbidelli ITA EG 0,0 Marc VDS (Kalex) 40m 18.480s
2. Thomas Luthi SWI CarXpert Interwetten (Kalex) 40m 21.161s
3. Takaaki Nakagami JPN IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia (Kalex) 40m 21.784s
4. Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 40m 22.064s
5. Alex Marquez SPA EG 0,0 Marc VDS (Kalex) 40m 29.706s
6. Luca Marini ITA Forward Racing Team (Kalex) 40m 32.227s
7. Fabio Quartararo FRA Pons HP40 (Kalex) 40m 32.468s
8. Lorenzo Baldassarri ITA Forward Racing Team (Kalex) 40m 35.945s
9. Xavi Vierge SPA Tech 3 Racing (Tech 3) 40m 35.957s
10. Axel Pons SPA RW Racing GP (Kalex) 40m 36.247s
Moto3 (Top 10)
1. Joan Mir SPA Leopard Racing (Honda) 38m 27.364s
2. John Mcphee GBR British Talent Team (Honda) 38m 27.499s
3. Jorge Martin SPA Del Conca Gresini Moto3 (Honda) 38m 27.582s
4. Aron Canet SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 38m 27.616s
5. Romano Fenati ITA Marinelli Rivacold Snipers (Honda) 38m 27.817s
6. Andrea Migno ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 38m 27.943s
7. Niccolò Antonelli ITA Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 38m 28.025s
8. Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Del Conca Gresini Moto3 (Honda) 38m 28.242s
9. Marcos Ramirez SPA Platinum Bay Real Estate (KTM) 38m 29.057s
10. Adam Norrodin MAL SIC Racing Team (Honda) 38m 35.268s
Italy’s Franco Morbidelli celebrates with this Moto2 trophy yesterday at Losail.
