The GASGAS Moto3 and Moto2 squads raced through a turbulent weekend at Misano, with Izan Guevara taking 3rd place and the title fight lead while Sergio Garcia was disqualified. This was followed by Albert Arenas racing to his best-ever career Moto2 finish in 4th as Jake Dixon crashed out on lap 1.
- Gaviota GASGAS Aspar rider Izan Guevara 3rd with Sergio Garcia DSQ-ed in Moto3
- Inde GASGAS Aspar rider Albert Arenas scores his best ever Moto2™ finish as Jake Dixon falls out
- The season enters crunch time with a relentless 6 races in 9 weeks to decide 2022 championship positions
September sunshine baked the snaking Adriatic Coast, and in turn the 4.22km Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, creating the perfect setting for more high-speed MotoGP action. A massive 6 races in 9 weeks will follow the San Marino Grand Prix meaning the clock is ticking to secure vital championship points.
In Moto3, the Gaviota GASGAS Aspar team experienced a turbulent weekend with Izan Guevara ultimately taking a podium and crucially the lead in the standings. The 18-year-old from Palma had been on blistering form all weekend; qualifying strongly into 5th position despite rear grip issues. During the race Guevara fronted the race briefly from lap four and enjoyed an intense battle with rivals Dennis Foggia and Jaume Masia.
Teammate Sergio Garcia endured a weekend to forget. At the start of the 23-lap race, Garcia was evidently pushing hard to make up track positions; leapfrogging from 10th to 8th by lap four. Unfortunately, Garcia folded the front and crashed under braking into turn 4. Despite recovering to the pits and then rejoining the race in 27th, Garcia was then black-flagged on lap 16 while trying to make up time while overtaking backmarkers.
In Moto2 Albert Arenas was at full gas all weekend - qualifying into an impressive second position, with a best lap of 01.36;0970 - just 0.1 seconds off pole sitter Celestino Vetti. From lap one Arenas kept the pressure on, keeping his rivals at bay, and circulating in second place until mid-race distance. Following an intense battle with Aron Canet and Augusto Fernandez, Arenas narrowly slipped to fourth position finishing just 1.3 seconds adrift of the final podium spot. Still, impressive progress.
The pressure was on for teammate Jake Dixon. The British rider boasted pace as scorching as the track temperatures but had it all to do after a qualifying accident left him without a classification time; and at the back of the grid for Sunday’s race. In the wheel tracks of three consecutive podium finishes, Dixon had high hopes to charge from the rear of the field, however after getting bunched up at turn two on the opening lap, a painful highside crash ended his weekend.
The action continues thick and fast from here with the Gran Premio Animoca Brands de Aragón on the 18th September.
#11 - Sergio García: “In the end it was a weekend to forget. Everything didn’t go to plan - or how we expected - and we have to make sure this doesn’t happen in Aragon. We’re still in the fight and there is a lot of the championship left to go. I’ll go home now and continue training. I’m super-motivated to make another good race and give my maximum on the track.”
#28 - Izan Guevara: “I’m really happy with the return to the podium. The race went really crazy. In the first part of the race I pushed very hard, but then in the middle part [of the race] my rear tyre was worn out. But I’m really happy to get this return to the podium. Thank you to my team for all their hard work and we will push for more in Aragon!”
#75 - Albert Arenas: “I’m very satisfied with the steps we made for this weekend. We were able to get into the fight for the podium. I wanted that trophy but, well, we can take home a decent result with 4th and we can take important feedback for the rest of the season. We’ll continue working and with excitement for Aragon already.”
Results - 2022 Moto3 World Championship, Round 14:
1. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 23 Laps; 2. Jaume Masia (Honda) +0.289, 3. Izan Guevara (GASGAS) +0.334, DQ. Sergio García (GASGAS)
Moto3 Championship Standings - After Round 14:
1. Izan Guevara (GASGAS) 204pts, 2. Sergio García (GASGAS) 193pts,3. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 169pts,
Results - 2022 Moto2 World Championship, Round 14:
1. Alonso Lopez (Boscoscuro) 25 Laps; 2. Aron Canet (Kalex) +1.253, 3. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) +3.305, 4. Albert Arenas (GASGAS / Kalex) +4.615, DNF. Jake Dixon (GASGAS / Kalex) +25 laps
Moto2 Championship Standings - After Round 13:
1. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) 198pts, 2. Ai Ogura (Kalex) 194pts, 3. Aron Canet (Kalex) 157pts, 7. Jake Dixon (GASGAS / Kalex) 108pts, 14. Albert Arenas (GASGAS / Kalex) 65pts