The drama continued in Moto2, with Inde GASGAS Aspar rider Albert Arenas – who qualified fourth – crashing out of the race with a high-speed slide on turn four. The GASGAS story of the weekend belongs to Jake Dixon however.
The British rider had been one of the class’s pace setting riders all weekend, and after absolutely dominating FP1 and FP3, set about repeating the speed in qualifying. Despite a fall at the long-lap loop Dixon regrouped to claim P6 for the race. On Sunday, Dixon again showed true grit, fighting his way into the top three, and despite intense competition from rivals Aron Canet, Alonso Lopez, Ai Ogura and Augusto Fernandez held his nerve throughout the 18 laps race. Setting a personal best lap in the process – Jake crossed the line in 3rd place to secure his third Grand Prix podium and second in succession. Dixon now sits in 7th position on 92 points, while Arenas is in 15th on 45 points.
The action continues at the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich at the technical and picture-perfect Red Bull Ring on the 21st August.
#11 – Sergio García: “I felt very strong all race and was using all that the bike had to offer today. I was well positioned approaching the last laps but I guess Sasaki didn’t see me and hit me off. These things happen and it’s a big shame because the weekend had been going well and we’d worked hard for this. I hope we can turn around our luck for the next GP. The only positive is that the championship points stayed the same and the positions also. We could have made a forward step today though.”
#28 – Izan Guevara: “A strong start to the race with good lap-times in the 11.5s but by the fourth lap I could feel the tire was pushing. I didn’t really know what was going on and slipped back into the group. I didn’t have a great feeling and was just trying to keep with the guys. With two laps to go I was running 6-7 and thought the podium might be possible but all I know is that I was hit by a bike and the race was gone. It could have been worse for the championship but Sergio also went down so now we just have to think about Austria and hope for more luck.”
#75 – Albert Arenas: “A fast race from the beginning but I was able to get into the group going for the win. It wasn’t my day today. I don’t think we were quite ready to carry that pace but I decided to go for it anyway until I went just over the limit. I couldn’t avoid the crash. We’ll continue with the same ambition to try and win and chase success. We’ll see what we can improve to be more in with a chance of the podium. We’re close.”
#96 – Jake Dixon: “Words can’t describe it! I know it’s only a third place but this really feels like a victory! Especially from where I came from at the beginning of the race, to where I was at the end. It feels so amazing, the crowd has been absolutely awesome – I can’t thank them all enough for their support. As they could see – I fought until the very end, and I fought like a lion. I was never going to give up; and I gave everything I could.”
Results – 2022 Moto3 World Championship, Round 12:
1. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 17 Laps; 2. Jaume Masia (KTM) +0.252, 3. Deniz Öncü (KTM) +0.297, DNF. Izan Guevara (GASGAS) +1 lap, DNF. Sergio García (GASGAS) +3 laps,
Moto3 Championship Standings – After Round 12:
1. Sergio García (GASGAS) 182pts; 2. Izan Guevara (GASGAS) 179pts, 3. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 140pts,
Results – 2022 Moto2 World Championship, Round 12:
1. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) 18 Laps; 2. Alonso Lopez (Kalex) +0.070, 3. Jake Dixon (GASGAS / Kalex) +0.662, DNF. Albert Arenas (GASGAS / Kalex) +8 Laps,
Moto2 Championship Standings – After Round 12:
1. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) 171pts, 2. Ai Ogura (Kalex) 158pts, 3. Celestino Vietti (Kalex) 156pts, 7. Jake Dixon (GASGAS / Kalex) 92pts, 15. Albert Arenas (GASGAS / Kalex) 45pts,