MotoGP News
Andrea Iannone (Fimmco Speed Up, Speed Up) scored another runaway win in the Honda-powered Moto2 series this past weekend at the Aragon Grand Prix, breaking away from the pack just like he did at Mugello and Assen.
At one point the Italian was more than ten seconds ahead of the contest for second place, easing his pace during the final laps to cross the finish line 6.2 seconds ahead of Julian Simon (Mapfre Aspar Team, Suter), who just edged out Gabor Talmacsi (Fimmco Speed Up, Speed Up) for the runner-up spot.
This was Simon’s third consecutive second-place finish.
Iannone rode his victory lap holding aloft a special flag to commemorate Shoya Tomizawa, the Moto2 ace who died following an accident at Misano two weeks ago. Other riders in all three classes here bore mementos of the popular Japanese rider on their bikes, leathers or helmets.
A minute’s silence was held for Tomizawa following this morning’s warm-up sessions.
Iannone led from pole position, getting into turn one first and then steadily increasing his advantage, usually by a few tenths a lap, but by bigger margins later in the race, which suggests that his team has fixed the tyre-wear issues which had troubled him at some other races.
Simon spent much of the race in second place, only briefly losing the position to Simone Corsi (JIR Moto2, Motobi) and then successfully defending his position from Talmacsi during the final laps.
World Championship leader Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2, Moriwaki) made a heroic charge through the pack from his third-row start, a legacy of a tumble during qualifying.
The Spaniard, who had won the previous four races, ended the first lap in 14th and fought his way through to fourth, just eight tenths behind Talmacsi. Corsi finished fifth, well clear of Jules Cluzel (Forward Racing, Suter) and Dominique Aegerter (Technomag-CIP, Suter). Front-row starter Scott Redding (Marc VDS Racing Team, Suter) was eighth.
The MotoGP circus once again leaves Europe after this race, heading east for three races on consecutive weekends in Japan (October 3), Malaysia (October 10) and Australia (October 17). The season finishes back on the Continent with the Portuguese GP (October 31) and the Valencia GP (on November 7).
Moto2 Rider Quotes:
Andrea Iannone (Fimmco Speed Up, Speed Up) says: “It’s been a great day, but in no way was it easy or simple to me. After my injury in practice at Indianapolis I suffered a lot in the race at Indy and again at Misano, so it was great to feel strong again this weekend. I stayed on top in every practice and today’s win repays the team for all the hard work the team has done in fixing problems. Congratulations also to my team-mate Gabor, I hope that we can keep this run of results going.”
Julian Simon (Mapfre Aspar Team, Suter)says: “It’s very special to make the podium in Spain, especially at a new Spanish circuit. I’m very happy because it’s been a good weekend. I have been up the front all three days, just like I was at Indy and Misano, so I have been very regular at the last three races. This makes me very motivated for Japan, Malaysia and Australia. Of course, now I want to win a Moto2 race after being second at the last three. Today I got a good start and tried to go with Iannone, but his rhythm was too fast. I would like to dedicate this podium to Tomizawa.”
Gabor Talmacsi (Fimmco Speed Up, Speed Up)says: “We have been trying very hard all season, but to begin with I didn’t have the same feeling with the bike that Andrea has. But we never gave up and we always kept trying, so this first Moto2 podium is a big reward for that. During this second part of the season me and the team understand each other better, so the bike is coming better and I hope we can continue like this during the last few races.”
Pole position : 1m55.148s (158.759Km/h) Andrea Iannone, Fimmco Speed Up, 2010
Fastest lap : 1m55.003s (158.959Km/h) Andrea Iannone, Fimmco Speed Up, 2010
Circuit record lap : 1m55.003s (158.959Km/h) Andrea Iannone, Fimmco Speed Up, 2010
Circuit Best Lap : 1m55.003s (158.959Km/h) Andrea Iannone, Fimmco Speed Up, 2010