“A flash in the pan looks different,” said ServusTV commentator Alex Hofmann, meaning Enea Bastianini. The Italian from private team Gresini Racing continues to make life difficult for the competition from the works teams with his Ducati from last year. The 24-year-old celebrated his third MotoGP win of the season at Le Mans yesterday. World champion Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) defended his championship lead in fourth place. With Brad Binder in eighth place, KTM once again only played a supporting role, Miguel Oliveira retired after a crash.
His victory at the opener in Qatar was dismissed as a sensation, but Bastianini, the former Moto2 World Champion, continues to deliver. At the French Grand Prix in front of 100,000 spectators this time there was a duel with his long-leading compatriot Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), last winner in Jerez. When Bastianini was in front, pole man Bagnaia made the crucial mistake and slid into the gravel trap. “I overtook him to make him a little nervous, but it worked in the end,” said Bastianini, who is now only eight points behind Quartararo in third place in the overall standings. The consolation for the Ducati factory was second place through Jack Miller, with the consistent Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) third. It was not a good day for Suzuki, who is leaving MotoGP at the end of the year. Alex Rins and Joan Mir both missed the finish after falling.
KTM could console itself with victories in the two smaller classes. In Moto2, Augusto Fernandez won, his teammate Pedro Acosta retired as the leader after a crash. The Moto3 class race was first stopped due to rain, the shortened race then went to Jaume Masia. (free)
Source: Nachrichten
