MotoGP Assen: Fernandez fires up the Moto2 title fight

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Augusto Fernandez claimed his second Moto2 win in as many weeks at the TT Circuit Assen on Sunday.

The Spaniard intensifying the championship fight as he joined Celestino Vietti on equal points with Ai Ogura just one behind as they head into the five-week summer break. The Honda Team Asia rider took second at the flag after a fightback from outside the points, with pole-man Jake Dixon completing the celebrations in third.

Cloud cover intensified ahead of the intermediate class race as Dixon headed the grid for the second time in 2022. His Inde Aspar teammate Albert Arenas alongside in second with Elf Marc VDS’ Sam Lowes completing the front row in third.

As the lights went out, Dixon held the holeshot as Lowes ran wide at the first corner, the Brit regrouping in 27th as Alonso Lopez took charge, from fifth. Marcel Schrotter storming from tenth to fifth on the opening lap before bettering Ogura to hassle just off the podium fight.

Fernandez was the next to make moves on the KTM, from ninth to fifth as Ogura dropped to tenth after a major moment at turn ten. The Honda rider miraculously saving a near highside before the next lap dropped him further to 17th.

American Racing’s Cameron Beaubier was the fastest man on track as he made his way to tenth on lap three. Ogura regrouping on the back of his teammate Somkiat Chantra in the final points positions.

Lopez held a four-tenth advantage as the fourth lap began, Dixon and Arenas completing the podium before Schrotter made a move for third and Lowes crashed out.

Local rider Bo Bendsneyder set the fastest lap as he advanced to sixth while Dixon lost second to Schrotter. An all-American battle beginning for eighth as Beaubier bettered Joe Roberts with Marc