Source: MotoGP.

The Moto2 race at Phillip Island saw an intriguing battle at the front won by Maverick Viñales, with Tom Luthi and Tito Rabat also on the podium. The championship fight goes on to Sepang with Mika Kallio finishing fourth to deny Rabat the title for now.

It was another brilliant performance from Viñales who took his third win of an excellent rookie season in the intermediate class.

Rabat (Marc VDS Racing Team) took the holeshot from pole but an early mistake saw him drop to seventh with a group of five involving Rabat, Viñales (Paginas Amarillas HP 40), Luthi (Interwetten Sitag), Kallio (Marc VDS Racing Team) and Sam Lowes (Speed Up) emerging at the front.

Viñales managed the final stages of the race better than his rivals, crossing the line 1.329s ahead of Luthi, with Rabat 0.175s further back. With Kallio in fourth place, Rabat’s advantage at the head of the standings is 41 points with two races to go.

Lowes eventually crossed the line fifth, less than two seconds off the podium, with Sandro Cortese (Dynavolt Intact GP) over eight seconds behind the Englishman in sixth.

Marcel Schrotter (Tech 3), Dominique Aegerter (Technomag carXpert), Xavier Simeon (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) and Jordi Torres (Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2) completed the top 10.

Mattia Pasini (NGM Forward Racing) fell after setting an early fastest lap, the Italian able to rejoin but eventually pitting. Thitpong Warokorn (APH PTT The Pizza GP) fell soon after but was unable to rejoin. Warokorn’s fellow Thai rider, Ratthapark Wilairot (AirAsia-Caterham) crashed out with 12 laps to go.

Johann Zarco (AirAsia-Caterham) fell several laps later, but was unhurt.

Of the Aussies it was series regular Ant West (QMMF Racing Team) who led them home in 22nd, while wildcards Aiden Wagner (Marc VDS Racing Team) and Max Croker (Tasca Racing) completed the field in 26th and 27th.

2014 MotoGP World Championship
Round 16 – Phillip Island, Australia

Moto2 race results:
1. Maverick VIÑALES
2. Thomas LUTHI +1.329s
3. Esteve RABAT +1.504s
4. Mika KALLIO +1.843s
5. Sam LOWES +3.292s
6. Sandro CORTESE +11.697s
7. Marcel SCHROTTER +11.777s
8. Dominique AEGERTER +18.276s
9. Xavier SIMEON +18.282s
10. Jordi TORRES +18.478s
22. Anthony WEST (AUS) +51.281s
26. Aiden WAGNER (AUS) +1m02.283s
27. Max CROKER (AUS) +1 lap

Moto2 championship standings:
1. Esteve RABAT 310
2. Mika KALLIO 269
3. Maverick VIÑALES 249
4. Thomas LUTHI 161
5. Dominique AEGERTER 151
6. Johann ZARCO 117
7. Simone CORSI 100
8. Sandro CORTESE 76
9. Franco MORBIDELLI 75
10. Luis SALOM 67
12. Anthony WEST (AUS) 65

Click here for detailed results