Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport Kalex) scored a masterful Moto2 victory to increase his points lead in the Honda-powered championship at Brno overnight.
The Frenchman grabbed the lead on lap two and was never headed, feeling better on the bike as the fuel load reduced and then withstanding relentless pressure from reigning champion Tito Rabat (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Kalex) who crossed the line just 1.4 seconds behind Zarco, who now leads the Spaniard by 79 points with seven races remaining.
Rabat tried everything he knew but could never quite close the gap, while he had to simultaneously mind his back, with Indy winner Alex Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40 Kalex) threatening all the way.
Reigning Moto3 champ Alex Marquez (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Kalex) had by far his best result of his rookie Moto2 season, chasing Rins for much of the 20 laps, suggesting that he is really getting to grips with his CBR600-powered Kalex.
Austin Moto2 winner Sam Lowes (Speed Up Racing Speed Up) was the first non-Kalex rider home, enjoying a superb ride to fifth after a machine issue yesterday left him 13th on the grid.
The Briton charged through the pack from 12th on the first lap, passing Dominique Aegerter (Technomag Racing Interwetten Kalex), Thomas Luthi (Derendinger Racing Interwetten Kalex), Franco Morbidelli (Italtrans Racing Team Kalex), Sandro Cortese (Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex) and Jonas Folger (AGR Team Kalex). He finished the race ahead of Folger, Luthi, Cortese, Luis Salom (Paginas Amarillas HP 40 Kalex) and Morbidelli.
‰ÛÏEven if we didn‰Ûªt have a great battle like we had at Indy I enjoyed that race." Zarco commented. "I felt so, so good on the bike, so I could enjoy every corner during the race and could lead all the way from the second lap.
"The gap was close all the way through but it wasn‰Ûªt difficult even though I couldn‰Ûªt be faster. When Tito got quite close I found I could push some more in a few corners and improve the gap again. This is my fourth win, which shows we are in a good place.‰Û
