MotoGP Barcelona: Moto2 race preview

Pedro Acosta arrives on home turf with another record having opened his Moto2 account. What will that mean in Barcelona?

In Le Mans, it looked like a done deal. Acosta was off and away in the lead on the Red Bull KTM Ajo machine looking like he’d become the youngest ever intermediate class winner, and then came that mistake as the Spaniard hit the floor. But that seemed to have little effect once the paddock arrived in Mugello, with the 18-year-old picking straight up where he left off and bolting away for victory to beat Marquez’ record with more than enough time left on take two. So are the flood gates open?

If they are, there are plenty of fast faces lining up to try and mute the Jaws music. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is now equal on points with championship leader Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) after a podium for the former and a late technical heartbreak for the latter, Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) was on Acosta’s tail before he crashed out, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) was back in the mix and the rostrum – and says his recent test in Barcelona was a key factor.

Ajo teammate Augusto Fernandez, however, had a tough Saturday and then a tough opening to the race before slicing back through from outside the points to a top five, and Elf Marc VDS Racing’s Tony Arbolino was quick but overcooked a move on teammate Sam Lowes, earning himself a long lap. With a little less drama in Barcelona, what have they got in the locker?