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fernandez-fires-to-silverstone-glory-as-marquez-crashes-out

The Spaniard clinched a second victory of the season after Championship leader Alex Marquez crashed out early on

FlexBox HP40’s Augusto Fernandez battled to his second career Moto2™ victory at the GoPro British Grand Prix after a fierce fight at the front with Campetella Speed Up’s Jorge Navarro. Meanwhile, Championship leader (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) made his first mistake of the year by crashing out of the lead in the early stages.

Marquez took the holeshot from pole position and, as we’ve seen all weekend, he was joined at the front by Navarro. The Spaniards broke clear of the chasing pack, with Navarro quite happy to sit in behind Marquez during the first four laps. Then, Navarro decided it was time to make a move and slipped past his compatriot only for the number seventy-three to bite bike immediately.

Drama of the highest order would then unfold as the previously perfect Marquez tucked the front into Brooklands whilst leading the British Grand Prix – the second none finish of the season but the first through an error of his own. It handed Navarro the lead but more importantly showed the pack behind that the World Championship was anything but settled.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Binder quickly realised back-to-back race wins were well within his reach and began posting fastest lap of the race after fastest lap of the race with Fernandez in pursuit with him. The duo then managed to latch onto the rear wheel of Navarro with less than ten laps remaining. The South African gave himself a handful of laps to eye the Speed Up rider up before with seven to go, Binder hit the front thanks to a move into Brooklands.

Four were left when Navarro reclaimed the lead, with Fernandez still well in contention too. Binder’s rear tyre looked like it had reached the limit as Fernandez swooped into second but Binder was having none of it. The pair were then side-by-side, rubbing shoulder for nearly an entire sector at Silverstone, which only allowed Navarro the opportunity to break further away.

But Fernandez finally cemented a move on Binder and set his sights on Navarro. The duo entered the final lap with Navarro at the front but Fernandez had managed to close in and then find a way through with just half a lap left. Navarro, dreaming of a career first Moto2™ win, then gave it everything into Brooklands on the very last lap and had the lead. But it was only momentary, as the Speed Up rider went in far too hot causing him to run wide but crucially handing the victory to Fernandez.

KTM’s Binder held on to take the final podium place, despite some late tyre trouble and incredible pressure from a determined Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team). Now with seven rounds remaining, Marquez’s Championship lead stands at 35 points with three riders sat on 146 points behind – Fernandez, Navarro and Tom Luthi (Dynavolt Intact GP).

ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team’s Tetsuta Nagashima equalled his best Grand Prix finish in a lonely fifth place, six seconds clear of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Campetella Speed Up) in sixth and Lorenzo Baldassarri (FlexBox HP40) in seventh. Lüthi remained second in the championship thanks to his eighth-place finish, with Luca Marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) and Xavi Vierge (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) completing the top ten.

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Round 12: Moto2™ GoPro British Grand Prix 25/08/2019

The intermediate class going racing in Britain with Matt Birt, Steve Day and Simon Crafar


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