MOREIRA TAKES SECOND CAREER WIN AS THE CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE CLOSES UP IN AUSTRIA
The Triumph-powered Moto2™ Championship returned to action this weekend after its summer break. Diogo Moreira converted second on the grid at the Grand Prix of Austria into his second career win in dominant fashion today at the Red Bull Ring. He took the lead from Daniel Holgado on the opening lap and never looked back.
Behind Moreira, Holgado came home second, claiming his debut Moto2 podium position in his rookie season. Celestino Vietti took a hard-fought third.
Vietti resisted pressure in a great scrap for third with David Alonso. Later, he received a long lap penalty with eight laps remaining. This dropped him a further two positions. However, he still had time for a comeback. He wasted no time in fighting back to fourth. But there was a sizable gap to Alonso in third.
Alonso meanwhile was having a great race, having started fifth and hunting down the frontrunners. With nine laps remaining, he moved into third in that scrap with Vietti. After the Italian’s long lap penalty, Alonso was freed up to chase down Moreira and Holgado. In doing so, he also used his Triumph 765cc triple power on this mid-range-hungry circuit to set a new lap record at the Red Bull Ring (1’33.549).
As he pushed hard to close the gap, with five laps remaining, a small mistake in turn nine saw him crash out of the race. He lost a likely-looking rookie podium.
This then promoted Vietti back up to a podium spot.
Tony Arbolino however, was the race’s biggest gainer. He made up eight places from 13th on the grid to finish fifth, just 1.1sec off a podium place.
Meanwhile, the greatest drama befell championship-leader Manuel Gonzalez. Starting from fourth on the grid, he was forced wide on the first corner of the race. This put him further back in the order. Unknown to him at the time, he picked up a hole in his radiator caused by a stone.
With 19 laps to go, the problem manifested. He dropped to 14th before getting back up to speed again. However, he was finally forced to retire three laps later as his radiator was leaking water and the temperature of his Triumph 765cc engine was rising.
Whilst Gonzalez retains his championship lead, all that means that the championship fight has closed up.
The second half of this Moto2 season gets underway. The top three (Gonzalez, Aron Canet and Moreira) are separated by just 35 points. The top four are split by 45 points.
The action returns next weekend (22-24 August). For the first time, the Moto2 championship will race in Hungary at the brand-new Balaton Park Circuit.
Triumph Triple Trophy Shortlist:
1. Diogo Moreria – dominating the race, and holding the lead for the race distance to claim his second win of the season
2. Daniel Holgado – a brilliant ride from his first pole position, pushing Moreria throughout and claiming his first-ever Moto2 podium
3. Celestino Vietti – a strong ride to get back to a podium finish following a long-lap penalty
Look out for Instagram stories on MotoGP’s official account @motogp to vote for your favourite rider. Enter the prize draw here to win your own Triumph Triple Trophy Street Triple 765 RS.
Next round:
Round 14, Balaton Park, Hungary 22 – 24 August 2025