MotoGP Argentina: Double delight for Honda as Vietti claims victory in Moto2

Celestino Vietti consolidated his Moto2 Championship lead with his second victory of 2022 at Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina.

Idemitsu Honda Team Asia celebrated debut double podium success as Somkiat Chantra backed up his maiden win last time out with a second place finish ahead of hard-fighting teammate Ai Ogura. While Jake Dixon finished the race as it started, in fifth.

Weekend sensation Fermin Aldeguer commanded the grid on the MB Conveyors Speed Up ahead of 23 laps around the 4.8km Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit. KTM’s Augusto Fernandez and the man who replaced him at Marc VDS, Tony Arbolino completed the front row ahead of the Aspar duo of Albert Arenas and Dixon and championship leader Vietti. Sam Lowes faced a difficult challenge from the middle of row four while home hero Gabriel Rodrigo started from 20th on the Pertamina SAG.

An action-packed start saw the 16-year-old claim the holeshot as Arbolino launched to second, Dixon sliding into third with Fernandez crashing out at the opening corner after collecting the rear wheel of Aron Canet. The KTM’s crash initially taking Manuel Gonzales with him, with the Yamaha Master Camp rider able to restart.

Dixon ran wide moments later as the Brit dropped to seventh. Niccolo Antonelli and Sean Dylan Kelly crashing out from the back of the pack at turn five.

Aldeguer held a half second gap as the second lap played out, Vietti up to second on the Mooney VR46 with Arbolino fighting off Chantra for the final podium position. Zonta van der Googbergh the next to retire in the gravel at turn two.

The Idemitsu Honda was up to third by lap three, Aron Canet arriving to fourth, from 12th, with the fastest lap of the race as Vietti took charge out front. Arbolino sat fifth from Ai