MotoGP Valencia: Acosta wins with Fernandez crowned Moto2 Champion

Red Bull KTM Ajo celebrated another dominant season with Pedro Acosta’s victory in Valencia from teammate and Moto2 Champion Augusto Fernandez.

The Spanish duo took all the accolades going in the season finale, after securing a team one-two, the title crown and Rookie of the Year celebrations. Elf Marc VDS’ Tony Arbolino completed the podium in third, the fifth rostrum of his second year in the intermediate class, and fourth overall in the standings.

The first title decider of the day saw Fernandez line up third to Ai Ogura’s fifth as the pair sat 9.5 points adrift in the 2022 Moto2 standings. Beta Tools Speed Up’s Alonso Lopez headed the grid from KTM rookie Pedro Acosta after the pair set near identical laptimes during Saturday’s qualifying.

Lights out and Arbolino was immediately through on Fernandez with title-rival Ogura following on the Idemitsu Honda. Fermin Aldeguer making things harder for the KTM rider as he claimed fifth as the opening lap unfolded while Acosta took charge overall.

Arbolino was in the lead with Ogura through to second as the second lap began, half a point now splitting the championship as Fernandez circulated in fifth. American Racing’s Cameron Beaubier enjoyed a strong start, to sixth from Flexbox HP40’s Aron Canet. Lopez threatening from third as he looked to advance on the Japanese rider having dispatched Acosta for the final podium position.

Lopez crashed out as lap five drew to a close, the Boscoscuro rider falling foul of turn 11 having run wide after suffered numerous moments in the run up. Aspar’s Jake Dixon suffering his own issues from 20th in the standings before regrouping to 18th two laps later.

Beaubier was through to fourth and immediately pulling a three tenth gap to Fernandez