Ogura seizes victory and title lead as Garcia recovers to P12

Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) is victorious at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, after pouncing on Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) in the closing stages of the Grand Prix. Ogura now heads the title fight, after beating Canet by 0.614s at the line - securing a further 25 points. It was another remarkable ride from the #44, setting the early pace and taking another 20 points. Meanwhile on the final spot on the podium was Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), to the delight of the crowd in Misano.

It was a textbook launch from Arbolino, charging into the lead and setting a hot pace on Lap 1. The Italian had stiff competition at the front, with Ogura and Canet in pursuit. There was soon drama at the end of Lap 1, as Alonso Lopez' (Beta Tools SpeedUp) hopes came crashing down at the final corner after the #21 lost the front.

Meanwhile, Canet would work hard in the opening stages, storming into second position – demoting Ogura to third. The #44 looked to have a strong pace after making an incredible start from the second row of the grid.

Further back, Sergio Garcia (MT helmets – MSI), continued to have a tough weekend, running outside of the top 20 in the opening laps, leaving a lot of work to do. The #3 slowly began to work through the field, with Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) behind.

Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) would continue to lap inside the top 10, battling with Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team). Aldeguer charged hard at the start after a tough qualifying – qualifying on the fourth row of the grid.

There was a change to the lead on Lap 10, with Canet stealing P1 from Arbolino – throwing down an early gauntlet. It was a tough lap for Arbolino, dropping back to third after running wide at Turn 14. Ogura charged on, catching Canet in every sector, with the #44’s advantage down to just three-tenths.

Garcia continued to work hard, crucially entering the point-scoring positions on Lap 17 – dropping OnlyFans American Racing Team’s Joe Roberts to 16^th. The Spaniard soon picked off Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) and Ayumu Sasaki (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) to leap into 13^th.

At the front, Ogura had his first look on Lap 18 before the key move came on Lap 19, with Ogura storming into P1. Chasing the lead group in fourth was Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who was edging closer to the lead group, before crashing at Turn 15 on Lap 20. It was a disappointing end to the Italian’s day, who was having a strong second half of the season.

In the closing stages of the San Marino GP, nobody could match Ogura’s pace, with the Japanese rider holding onto the win on the final lap. The #79 crossed the line to claim a hard-fought victory, impressive the field of finishing ahead of Canet and Arbolino.

Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTR Gresini Moto2™) took fourth, unable to catch the front group in the closing stages. The #18 had a consistent pace throughout, placing ahead of the winner last time out, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team). The British rider took the final spot inside the top five as Aldeguer claimed sixth. Further back, Filip Salac completed an incredible day for the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team, claiming seventh and ahead of Moto2™ rookie Moreira. The final spots inside the top 10 went the way of Arenas and Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) after strong rides. Meanwhile, Garcia was able to fight to 12^th, battling from 24^th on the grid. However, the Spaniard now trails his teammate by 10 points with everything still to play for in 2024.

Make you join us for Round 14 of the season, as Moto2™ returns to the legendary Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in two weeks!

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