MotoGP Misano: Lopez leads for maiden Moto2 win

+Ego Speed Up’s Alonso Lopez secured his first victory in Moto2 in dominant style on Sunday at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

A lights-to-flag win confirmed Lopez was a talent to watch after his late entry to 2022, the Spaniard having now lead the most amount of laps of the season despite only joining the class at Le Mans. Flexbox HP40’s Aron Canet and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Augusto Fernandez completed the podium with the number 37 retaking the lead in the title fight.

The Moto2 pole man was hard to miss as Mooney VR46 presented a one-off ‘Mad Dog’ livery for Celestino Vietti and teammate Niccolo Antonelli at their home event. Inde GasGas Aspar’s Albert Arenas and Lopez completed the front row with Jake Dixon forced to line up in 18th following an opening crash in Saturday’s qualifying. Pertamina SAG’s Bo Bendsneyder and VR46 Master Camp’s Keminth Kubo both faced long lap penalties for the 25-lap race with the pair starting 14th and 31st respectively.

Lights out and Lopez was instantly through to the lead as Dixon’s weekend went from bad to worse with a turn two crash. Kubo and Zonta van den Goorbergh following suit at turn four with Manuel Gonzalez out as the lap concluded.

Lopez held a half second lead as lap two fired up. Arenas and Vietti sitting second and third with Canet heading championship challengers Ai Ogura and Fernandez in the top six. The second Speed Up of Fermin Aldeguer held seventh from Elf Marc VDS’ Tony Arbolino while Mattia Pasini continued his strong wildcard showing inside the top ten.

Flexbox’s Jorge Navarro was the next to fall, with Marc VDS replacement rider Senna Agius with Gresini’s Filip Salac tangling at turn eight.

Canet was into podium contention with six laps dispatched as Vietti