MotoGP Phillip Island: Lopez dominates Moto2 despite penalty

Beta Tools Speed Up’s Alonso Lopez left the Moto2 field firmly in his wake at Phillip Island after claiming victory by 3.5 seconds on Sunday.

Despite a long lap penalty left over from the Thai GP, the 20-year-old’s dominance was unquestioned in Australia as he headed the pack from the opening lap and never looked back. Red Bull KTM’s Pedro Acosta claimed second from eighth on the grid with Inde GasGas Aspar’s Jake Dixon recovering from 14th to third as he dedicated his somewhat unexpected podium to the late Chrissy Rouse.

Moto2 lined up on a dry, cold but windy Phillip Island Circuit following a patchy warm-up session. Speed Up’s Fermin Aldeguer headed the front row alongside teammate Lopez with KTM’s Augusto Fernandez splitting the pair from second. His main title challenger, Ai Ogura, preparing to launch from 13th on the Idemitsu Honda with Brits Sam Lowes and Dixon either side.

Lights out and it was a Speed Up one-two before Elf Marc VDS’ Tony Arbolino took charge overall. Lopez running second from Aldeguer and Fernandez before he became the next to claim the lead with Flexbox HP40’s Aron Canet and Acosta making strong starts to fifth and sixth. Lopez immediately pulled a one-second advantage as he looked to gain ground before his long lap penally was triggered, teammate Aldeguer second and defending from Arbolino with a further trio of riders almost inseparable behind.

Lopez held a 2.5s lead by just lap three as his pace ignited. American Racing’s Cameron Beaubier up to fifth from Acosta, Gresini’s Filip Salac and Canet with VR46 Master Camp’s Manuel Gonzalez and Liqui Moly Intact’s Jeremy Alcoba completing the top ten.

The long lap penalty dispatched, Lopez held a near-two second advantage as the Spaniard’s