Lopez resists Baltus in the battle under the floodlights

Alonso Lopez (Sync SpeedUp) wins the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar in a new era for Moto2™ as the Championship completes its first race with Pirelli tyres. Lopez defended from Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP), who finished just 0.055 behind after an epic battle. Sergio Garcia took his Triumph-powered MT Helmets – MSI machine to join them on his first-ever Moto2™ podium.

The lights went out and polesitter Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) had a bad start, allowing Alonso Lopez (Sync SpeedUp) to lead on the entry to turn one. Lopez led from both QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™ riders of Manuel Gonzalez and Albert Arenas. Fermin Aldeguer (Sync SpeedUp) also struggled in the opening stage of the race, dropping down to 13^th position.

Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was the rider on the move in the opening stage of the race, battling with Barry Baltus and Zonta van der Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP), for fifth place.

Aron Canet fought back after dropping down to eighth place to lead the field on lap three of the race. Canet set the fastest lap in the process, trying to stretch the field in an attempt to win his first Moto2™ Grand Prix.

Lopez and Gonzalez eventually caught and passed the #44 machine, allowing the lead group to grow to three riders once again. Further down the order, Aldeguer was having a battle with Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) who was making his way through the field in ninth position.

Ayumu Sasaki (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) was the first faller of the race, crashing out of their debut Moto2™ race at turn one.

The race continued to rage on, with Barry Baltus managing to catch the back of Canet, putting the #7 machine in podium contention. Baltus made the move at the end of lap eight and began to pull away from the pole sitter. The Belgian then battled into second position in a fierce move on Gonzalez to set his sights on the lead.

Arbolino dropped down the order as the race continued with the Italian dropping down to 13^th position after some contact with Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team). The Marc VDS rider then continued to drop down the order, outside the point-scoring positions.

All the moves at the front of the field, allowed Garcia and Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) to join the brilliant battle, with the Japanese rider making a heroic move on Gonzalez for fourth place.

Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Aspar Team) was forced to retire on lap 13, pulling the #28 machine into the pits. Meanwhile, Joe Roberts and his teammate Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) began their battle in sixth and seventh, in a great race for the Triumph-powered American Racing Team.

It was an unbelievable end to the race, with three bikes battling for the lead with only three laps remaining. Baltus looked to make a move on Lopez but could not find a way through due to the Spaniard’s incredible defending, which allowed the SpeedUp rider to win. While it was delight for Lopez, his teammate and title favourite Aldeguer was outside of the points, finishing in 16^th position.

Ai Ogura came home to finish in fourth position, in a great first race with the MT Helmets – MSI Team. Manuel Gonzalez rounded out the top five in a solid result for the Spaniard. He was ahead of both OnlyFans American Racing machines, with Ramirez ending the race ahead of his teammate Roberts. The second QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™ of Albert Arenas rounded out the top eight after a thrilling opening Grand Prix.

Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) finished in ninth, ending the race ahead of pole sitter Canet who was 10^th. Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) came across the line to finish in 11^th, ahead of Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team’s Jeremy Alcoba. Zonta van der Goorbergh, Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team), and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded out the point-scoring places.

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