Ogura’s Brave Jerez Charge Ends With Unlucky Fall
Circuito de Jerez-Ángel NietoAi Ogura (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Kalex) entertained the massive Jerez crowd today, riding superbly, despite recent injury, only to slide off while contesting fourth place with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex)
Yesterday the 22-year-old from Saitama qualifying an excellent fifth quickest, for only his second race since returning from a fractured wrist, sustained during pre-season training. When today’s Spanish Moto2 Grand Prix got underway Ogura started from the second row.
From there he started charging towards the front, commencing a strong challenge to Argentine GP winner Arbolino. The pair engaged in a thrilling and super-close duel, until Ogura tagged Arbolino’s rear tyre in the final laps and fell, without injury. Although the last of a result was disappointing, his ride proved that he has lost none of his speed or talent. Arbolino ended the race only half a second off the podium.
Team-mate Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Kalex) had high hopes of finishing in the top five after making a great start from 11th on the grid. However the Thai ace immediately lost positions when a rider in front of him made a mistake and he had to take avoiding action, losing several positions. His fight back to seventh showed he has excellent pace.
Pole-starter Lowes won his first Moto2 race since the 2021 Emilia Romagna round in Italy, the 32-year-old Britain completing the 21 laps almost three seconds ahead of 18- year-old Spaniard Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex). Last place in the podium went to Alonso Lopez (CAG Speed up Boscoscuro), who finished just ahead of Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Apar Team Kalex) and Somkiat Chantra(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Kalex), his best result since his excellent podium at last month’s Argentine GP.
The top tenth was rounded out by Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex), Filip Salac (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 Kalex) and Fermin Aldeguer (CAG Speed Up Boscoscuro).
The Moto2 paddock now heads north from southern Spain to northern France, for the French GP on 14th May at Le Mans, where the weather is likely to be less kind than it has here.
Starting from P11, after the start of the race, I lost four positions because another rider made a mistake in front of me, and I needed to brake hard to avoid a clash. I tried not to lose concentration, and in the middle of the race, I started to overtake many riders, finishing in P7. Today I had the pace to be top 5, but in any case, we scored some crucial points. I hope all the fans who support me have enjoyed it!
Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish the race. The pace was good, and I was ready to fight for the podium this time. I could see the riders around me and how their bike was moving. I was the best in the group, so I expected to be strong at the end of the race. I crashed beside another rider. Maybe I could have pushed more during the race to avoid this happening. But the feeling is there. The top 2 were a little far today, but we’re getting better, and I’m happy about this. Let’s continue!!
