The Red Bull KTM Ajo racer was hard to catch after taking first place. He seemed to want to make up for last year’s mistake in which he retired from Moto2 Portugal.
“Finally we got it. Yesterday in qualifying, we had difficulties, “said the 2021 Moto3 champion. “This result is not important. Thanks to the personal trainers and race coaches, and the crew. We worked really hard in the winter to arrive at the race well. This is the result.”
Filip Salac as the owner of the pole position immediately received a challenge from Aron Canet. Racer Pons Wegow Los40 took first place.
Salac must defend desperately from Pedro Acosta while trying to regain his position. The straight track became an opportunity for him to take first place.
At the start of the second lap, Bo Bendsneyder fell at Turn 1 after contact with Alonso Lopez. The Spaniard was given a long lap penalty for being irresponsible while driving.
Acosta cleverly maneuvered to take first place and record the fastest time. Canet and Salac left behind.
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Vietti entered the inside of Salac at Turn 11. Their motorbikes collided but the Fantic Racing racer was able to advance to third place.
Race Direction dropped a double long lap penalty to Borja Gomez for the jump start. That round was used by Celestino Vietti to carry out a double long lap penalty so that it fell from P3 to P10.
In the fifth lap, there was a change in the formation of the top three. Acosta and Canet are still at the forefront and widen the gap with Manuel Gonzalez filling in P3.
Canet waited for his compatriot to make a mistake to take first place. They were involved in their own war because the gap with third racer Tony Arbolino reached 1.490 seconds.
On lap 14, Darryn Binder, who was making his debut in Moto2 2023, crashed at Turn 5. The former MotoGP rider tried to rejoin the battle.
Lopez crashed at Turn 14 with five laps to go. Disappointing day for CAG Speed Up riders.
The 17th lap marked the rise of Salac. The Gresini racer was finally able to get rid of Gonzalez from P4. However, the difference with Arbolino reached 2.5 seconds.
“I try to fight. I didn’t feel comfortable at the end of the race, but I had to keep pushing,” said the Italian racer who sits on the third podium.
Fabio Quartararo is seen among the group of Arbolino supporters. The 2021 MotoGP champion congratulates his best friend.
Meanwhile, Canet, who finished P2, showed a disappointed face. “I’m not 100 percent happy. Pedro accelerated faster in the last seven laps, I had trouble catching up. Next week, another circuit and another opportunity is open,” he said.
At the end of the race, Jeremy Alcoba received bad news because he was sent down one grid.
Portugal Moto2 Results 2023