MotoGP Austria: Late podium joy for Dixon as Ogura dominates in Moto2

Idemitsu Honda Team Asia’s Ai Ogura claimed a dramatic Moto2 victory over teammate Somkiat Chantra at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday.

The race-long leader looked to be assured the win before Chantra took his chance on the final lap, much to the surprise and concern of his Honda team, Ogura hitting back to secure the spoils and strengthen his championship challenge as the second Japanese winner of the day. Zinia GasGas Aspar’s Jake Dixon proved his own mettle with a late-race resurgence, securing his third successive podium with a last corner move for third.

Ogura headed the intermediate class grid as Moto2 prepared to do battle around the Spielberg Circuit. CAG Speed Up’s Alonso Lopez and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Augusto Fernandez sat alongside on the front row with Dixon threatening from fourth.

As the lights released the action, Ogura claimed the holeshot with Fernandez through to second at turn one before Lopez struck back at the new chicane. Dixon into podium contention as the opening lap concluded before sChantra denied the Brit as lap two fired up.

Strong starts for Celestino Vietti and Aron Canet found the pair running sixth and seventh as Fernandez dropped back to eighth. The second KTM of Pedro Acosta through on the trio for fifth as Alessandro Zaccone crashed out heavily on the Gresini machine.

Lopez took charge for his third race in succession on lap three with teammates Ogura and Chantra behind. Dixon maintaining his grip on the podium sitters with Acosta over half a second adrift for fifth in his first race back from injury.

Ogura returned to the lead next time around after a mistake from Lopez at turn four. IntactGP’s Marcel Schrotter and the second Speed up of Fermin Aldeguer completing the top ten from Marc VDS’