MotoGP Mugello: Acosta makes history in Moto2

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s rookie Pedro Acosta rode into the history books on Sunday with victory in the Italian Moto2 GP.

Just four days after his 18th birthday, Acosta becomes the youngest ever intermediate class winner in just the eighth race of his Moto2 career. Italtrans’ Joe Roberts showcased his own impressive pedigree thanks to a stellar second with Honda Team Asia’s Ai Ogura completing the podium celebrations.

The second race of the day saw Pertamina Mandalika’s Gabriel Rodrigo withdrawn before the action even began due to pain in his right shoulder resulting from his Saturday crash. Flexbox HP40’s Aron Canet heading the grid from pole position with Acosta and Elf Marc VDS’ Sam Lowes alongside on the front row. Championship leader Celestino Vietti started his home race from fourth with Inde Aspar’s Mattia Pasini showcasing his impressive talent in fifth after four years away from full-time competition and two years since his last wildcard outing.

Lights out for 21 laps and Canet claimed the holeshot before Acosta took charge into the first corner. The Marc VDS duo locking out the top four as Tony Arbolino launched from eighth. Lowes up to second as the lap bedded in with Aspar’s Jake Dixon sitting tenth behind Vietti.

Roberts was running fifth as lap two began. The American quickly bettering Ogura and Pasini and on the tail of Arbolino as Canet got back through on Lowes in the podium fight.

Cameron Beaubier made moves on Dixon next time around as the American Racing rider joined the top ten. Vietti just 0.07s ahead as the Californian continued his charge. A major moment for Acosta allowed Canet through Arrabbiata two as Arbolino bettered his teammate shortly after.

Roberts was defending from Ogura on lap five as Vietti