MotoGP Austin: Debut delight as Arbolino wins, Dixon third

Elf Marc VDS’ Tony Arbolino survived a COTA crashfest to claim his maiden Moto2 victory in Austin on Sunday.

The debut delight continued as Shimoko Aspar’s Jake Dixon completed the celebrations for his first podium in the world championship, settling for a well earned third behind Honda Team Asia’s Ai Ogura.

Cameron Beaubier lined up for his debut pole position ahead of his home Grand Prix as the first American to head the grid since Ben Spies and the first in the intermediate class on US soil since John Kocinski at Laguna Seca in 1989. His American Racing machine adorned with a dramatic stars and stripes livery to celebrate the occasion.

Mooney VR46’s Celestino Vietti and Flexbox HP40’s Aron Canet joined him on the front row with the Italian looking to increase his championship lead and the Spaniard still hunting his elusive maiden win. Arbolino headed row two alongside the GasGas team of Albert Arenas and Dixon with second Elf Marc VDS rider Sam Lowes one row back in ninth as Moto2 kicked off Sunday’s stateside action.

Under cooler, cloudy and windier conditions than the pack expected, the lights released the 18-lap contest. Vietti launching to the lead as Beaubier dropped to fourth in the first corner chaos. KTM’s Pedro Acosta up to fifth as Lowes crashed out amid a five rider incident. Somkiat Chantra taking out the Marc VDS rider with Gabriel Rodrigo, Fermin Aldeguer and Zonta van den Goorbergh all out of the race on the opening lap.

Beaubier was back in podium contention as the race unfolded, Arbolino challenging for third as Canet deposed Vietti out front. Dixon running fifth behind the home hero with Acosta and Ogura for company before the American dropped back to seventh.

Simone Corsi crashed out on lap four