Aron Canet, Master of Mandalika Moto2
Words and images courtesy Triumph Racing
Aron Canet dominated the weekend taking the new all-lap record and winning from pole in Moto2 but Ai Ogura extends his championship lead to 42 points over his teammate
Round 15 of the Moto2 World Championship took place in Indonesia this weekend in extremely hot and humid conditions. The lap records were falling right from the first sessions and it was Aron Canet who ultimately took the new all-time record on his Triumph powered Kalex with a 1m 33.077. The Spaniard qualified in pole for the 22-lap race ahead of Jake Dixon and Ai Ogura. Manuel Gonzalez, Fermin Aldeguer and Alonso Lopez made up the second row of the grid.
In Sunday’s race, Ogura got the best start to hit the front ahead of Canet and Dixon before Lopez passed the British rider. Further back there was first-lap drama as Fermin Aldeguer clipped Somkiat Chantra, several riders crashed out and Tony Arbolino was pushed wide.
Meanwhile, Canet made his move on Ogura and immediately got himself clear of all the melee behind. Lopez was second ahead of Ogura, Aldeguer, Dixon and Gonzalez. A brilliant battle ensued between Ogura and Aldeguer. The Spaniard looked to have got the better of Ogura before a mistake saw him go wide and drop back to ninth up. Ogura was all over the back of Lopez and it took him several attempts to pass him before he ultimately made it stick and set about trying to catch Canet at the front but the #44 had already pulled away.
A fierce battle followed for the final step on the podium with Gonzalez trying everything to get passed Lopez but the #21 was too good on the brakes and held him off. Darryn Binder was having an excellent ride from 13th on the grid into fifth and was right on the back of the podium fight. Aldeguer was making amends for his earlier mistake and got himself back up into fourth but he couldn’t pass his teammate for podium glory.
It was Canet who crossed the line first to take his long-awaited second Moto2 victory, with Ogura in second and Lopez a hard-fought third. Aldeguer finished fourth from Binder who scored his best Moto2 result to date and Joe Roberts in sixth.
Title contender, Sergion Garcia, crashed out for the third time in four races meaning Ogura extended his championship lead to 42 points. Dixon also crashed out for the second time in a row, denting his title chances with five races remaining.
The Triumph-powered grid returns next weekend for the Grand Prix of Japan, October 4-6.