Canet beats title rival Dalla Porta to claim Czech GP win

Spaniard retakes the overall standings lead from the Italian in a dramatic Moto3™ Brno encounter

Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) took back the Championship lead after producing a storming last lap to secure victory at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky, the Spaniard beat title contender Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) to the top step as the leading duo in the Championship finish 1st and 2nd, with polesitter Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) completing the podium.

Before the lights went out for the warm up lap, third on the grid Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) encountered issues and subsequently had to be wheeled off the grid, a pitlane start was enforced for the Italian – but his race was far from over. And it wouldn’t get any better for the man starting second on the grid. Huge drama unfolded as the race began for John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) as he pulled off the line, the Scotsman almost immediately had to sit up with some kind of issue. In an incredibly scary scenario, almost every rider behind somehow managed to dodge the stricken Honda, but wildcard Yuki Kunii (Asia Talent Team) couldn’t avoid McPhee and crashed into the back of him – the Japanese youngster went down but was back on his feet and headed to the medical centre, with McPhee nursing his way round to the pits. McPhee picked up what looked to be a left leg injury. 

Filip Salac’s (Redox PrüstelGP) home Grand Prix ended shortly after Turn 1, the Czech rider sliding out of contention on the opening lap and emerging from the drama in the lead was Raul Fernandez (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team), the Spaniard getting the better of Arbolino from 5th on the grid. The latter was joined by teammate Romano Fenati at the front of the race after the Italian had made a great start from 11th on the grid, but the duo had plenty of riders for company including Canet, with Championship leader Dalla Porta slowly making his way to the front from P17 on the grid.

The VNE Snipers duo were exchanging the race leading baton in the early stages and meanwhile, a fellow Italian was making a swift recovery through the field. Antonelli was in the points with 11 to go having taken a second a lap out of the leaders when faced with clear air, the top 17 were split by just 2.5 seconds with 11 laps remaining. With 10 to go Dalla Porta hit the lead for the first time, but the likes of Canet, Arbolino, Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai), Darryn Binder (CIP Green Power) and plenty more swarming – including Antonelli. The SIC58 rider was now well in with a shot at victory as himself, Dalla Porta, Arbolino and Canet all looked like the strongest contenders heading into the final few laps.

The Championship lead was at stake and Dalla Porta looked fairly comfortable at the front. But this is Moto3™, and leading a race with multiple hungry young guns behind is never comfortable. With three laps to go Canet produced a fantastic two-rider pass into Turn 3 to get himself up into the top three as four of the top five in the overall standings stood strong at the front: Dalla Porta, Canet, Arbolino and Antonelli. But who would emerge victorious? The last lap board was signalled and Dalla Porta held firm, but Arbolino got the better of him into Turn 3, with Canet following him through to second having started the last lap in fourth.

So Arbolino led but on the exit of Turn 9, the Italian made a slight error. This allowed Canet to come through and lead as the KTM rider produced a pitch-perfect final two sectors. Heading up horsepower hill, the chasing Hondas couldn’t reel Canet in. Dalla Porta managed to get past Arbolino before the hill but there was no stopping Canet taking his second win of the season – and the title lead. Dalla Porta finished second for the fifth time this season to now sit three behind Canet heading to Austria, Arbolino had to settle for third – his fourth rostrum of 2019.

Masia was able to get the better of Antonelli on the last lap, a good result for the Spaniard but it was an even better one for Antonelli. A stunning ride from pitlane to P5 was nothing short of sensational, and it’s a result that helps him stay five points ahead of Arbolino in the Championship. Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) finished sixth for the third time in four races, Andrea Migno (Bester Capital Dubai) grabbed his best finish since Le Mans to earn P7. Fenati finished eighth, just ahead of home favourite Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PrüstelGP) in ninth and Binder in tenth – the top 10 covered by just 1.7 seconds in the Czech Republic.

Estrella Galicia 0,0’s Sergio Garcia and Alonso Lopez crashed together while battling in the leading group with five to go, with Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) highsiding out of contention on the same lap. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) crashed early in the race while at the pointy end of the grid, Albert Arenas (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team) crashed twice. Tom Booth-Amos (CIP Green Power), Kazuki Masaki (BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race) and Ricardo Rossi (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) also crashed – riders ok.

Top 10:
1. Aron Canet (Sterilgada Max Racing Team)
2. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) +0.159
3. Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers Team) +0.217
4. Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai) +0.404
5. Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) +0.499
6. Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) +0.530
7. Andrea Migno (Bester Capital Dubai) +0.715
8. Romano Fenati (VNE Snipers Team) +0.737
9. Jakub Kornfeil (Redox Prüstel GP) +1.063
10. Darryn Binder (CIP Green Power) +1.757

Top 10:
1. Aron Canet (Sterilgada Max Racing Team)
2. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) +0.159
3. Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers Team) +0.217
4. Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai) +0.404
5. Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) +0.499
6. Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) +0.530
7. Andrea Migno (Bester Capital Dubai) +0.715
8. Romano Fenati (VNE Snipers Team) +0.737
9. Jakub Kornfeil (Redox Prüstel GP) +1.063
10. Darryn Binder (CIP Green Power) +1.757

Click here for the full results! 

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