Johann Zarco wins crazy shortened Italian Moto2

Reigning World Champion Johann Zarco was a chaotic shortened Moto2 race in Mugello, just pipping Italian Lorenzo Baldassarri to the line. 

The race was shortened after Xavi Vierge’s Mistral 610 popped an air fence at turn 14. That prompted a red flag which is when chaos ensued. The newly implemented quick re-start procedure caught teams and riders out. Teams had 60 seconds from when pit lane was opened to get out on track, numerous riders including Alex Rins and Taka Nakagami missed this window. 

They then lined up on the grid before IRTA officials had to remove them, with six riders then due to start from pit lane, the race start was postponed again with these riders now due to start from the back of the grid. This meant there was a ten lap dash for the win.

When the race eventually got underway again, it was Baldassarri who led the early stages after an awful start from pole sitter Sam Lowes. Johann Zarco eventually worked his way forward and it was a battle between the Frenchman and the Italian, a battle the Frenchman eventually won.

Sam Lowes limited the damage to pass Tom Lüthi on the final lap to claim third position, retaking the series lead by just two points in the process.

Malaysian Hafiz Syahrin claimed fifth position, just ahead of Axel Pons. Alex Rins battled through to seventh from the back of the grid, whilst Franco Morbidelli, Taka Nakagami and Domi Aegerter rounded out the top ten.

Photos via Ajo Motorsports