News 7 Aug 2023

Silverstone MotoGP thriller sees Espargaro prevail

Breakthrough victories for Aldeguer and Alonso in Moto2 and Moto3.

Image: Supplied.

Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro scored his second MotoGP victory in a thrilling encounter at Silverstone, edging defending champion Francesco Bagnaia with a brave last-lap pass, as Fermin Aldeguer and David Alonso achieved breakthrough victories in Moto2 and Moto3.

After taking P1 from early leader Jack Miller, Bagnaia led throughout much of the outing, even while rainfall on certain areas of the track slowed the pace throughout the last seven laps.

A lead group of four riders were ultimately in contention as the last lap began, as Bagnaia led Friday pace-setter Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder and CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team’s Miguel Oliveira, the Portuguese rider braving the challenging conditions in the race’s final third to close in on the leaders.

Ultimately a move around the outside in the run down to Maggots corner saw Espargaro take the lead, and the number 41 held the position until the end of the encounter to take a 0.215s victory ahead of Bagnaia, with Binder third and Oliveira fourth.

Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) featured in the leading battle for much of the second half of the race, ultimately crossing the line in fifth, 2.101s from the win.

Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin completed the bout in P6, ahead of Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – who was forced off the track in the early stages – Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) and Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team) inside the top 10.

Notably, a mechanical issue on Sunday forced sprint race winner Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing) to DNF, as title-contender Marco Bezzecchi crashed out of P2 while in pursuit of Bagnaia. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) were also among the list of non-finishers.

In terms of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship standings, Bagnaia now leads Martin by 41 points, with Bezzecchi third and a further six points from the top.

Image: Supplied.

A memorable performance for Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) in Moto2 saw the Spaniard take control of the race in its second half and storm to a 2.546s victory.

Pons Wegow Los40 rider Aron Canet completed the outing in second, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P3. Notably, title contender Tony Arbolino finished the bout in P10.

As a result, Acosta now leads the 2023 Moto2 World Championship standings by two points from the number 14, with Jake Dixon (Tensite GasGas Aspar Team) – who crashed out in the early stages in Silverstone in a controversial incident with Darryn Binder – third and 52 points from the lead.

Image: Supplied.

A standout ride from David Alonso (Gaviota GasGas Aspar Team) in Moto3 saw him become the first Colombian grand prix winner in history following a spirited charge from the rear in the grid.

Alonso wasted no time in gaining 27 positions to make his way towards the front of the field, and timed his charge to perfection on the last lap to take the victory 0.152s ahead of Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP).

Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) took third, as championship contender Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) crashed out of the lead in the early stages, later remounting to finish P18.

After qualifying a strong P5 in wet conditions, Australia’s Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP) was one position shy of scoring in P16.

Following the British GP, Holgado holds a healthy 22-point lead ahead of Sasaki in the 2023 Moto3 World Championship standings, with Masia third and a further 10 points back.

Detailed results



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