Espargaró claims victory in exciting contest

Pol Espargaró (Derbi Racing) scored an excellent victory at Estoril on Sunday to make up for his last lap Misano heartbreak, as he judged the final stages to perfection to outdo Sandro Cortese (Ajo Interwetten) and Bradley Smith (Bancaja Aspar).

World Championship candidate Julián Simón (Bancaja Aspar) crashed on the 16th lap when leading by more than five seconds as he suffered a rare drop in his consistently high standards this year, at the end of a highly competitive weekend. He will have to wait a while longer to clinch the title but is still 50.5 points ahead with three rounds remaining.

There were plenty of spectacular moments as Championship frontrunner Nico Terol (Jack & Jones Team) crashed out midway through the race, with Marc Márquez (Red Bull KTM) hitting the deck shortly afterwards. Former championship leader Andrea Iannone (Ongetta Team I.S.P.A.) also suffered a DNF as he had an accident early in the race.

Espargaró held his nerve in a three-way battle at the front over the final laps, eventually crossing the line 0.394s in front of Cortese and 0.581s ahead of Smith.

Stefan Bradl (Viessmann Kiefer Racing) was ten seconds behind the podium finishers, whilst Joan Olivé (Derbi Racing Team) was a further six seconds back in fifth.

Sergio Gadea (Bancaja Aspar), Esteve Rabat (Blusens Aprilia), Dominique Aegerter (Ajo Interwetten), Johann Zarco (WTR San Marino Team) and Randy Krummenacher (Degraaf Grand Prix) completed the top ten.