Moto2 Misano: Fernandez takes controversial win over Di Giannantonio
Augusto Fernandez provisionally held on to his victory in the Moto2 San Marino Grand Prix after an investigation into the final lap.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (+Ego Speed UP) had lead from his pole start but always had Fernandez (Flexbox HP 40 Kalex) in pursuit, looking for a way to pass once in contact with the Italian, causing ‘Diggia’ to recieve a track limits warning as he worked hard to keep him at bay.
Things came to a head on the final lap, when Fernandez went for the win. He ran wide onto the green outside the limit of the track as he began his lunge, picking up momentum for a better run at the lead. He then pulled a tough move with rookie Di Giannantonio fighting back, but he blocked him and held on to the line.
Despite the result and the podium taking place the pair were still summoned to a post race hearing with a stewards panel.
Away from the drama Alex Marquez rode well at a track he doesn’t favour and brought home valuable championship points in third for EG 0,0 Marc VDS, his tally now at 197, with Fernandez now a clear second in the title hunt.
Tom Luthi was next to cross the line, a lonely fourth for Dynavolt IntactGP after the initial lead group of four split.
Sam Lowes was a distant fifth for Gresini but buoyed with a new confidence in his abilities after deciding to change his racing mindset after Silverstone.
Brad Binder was the top KTM in sixth for the Red Bull Ajo outfit, putting the difficulties which had plagued the weekend to this point to bed.
He was a second clear of Jorge Navarro on the second +Ego Speed Up entry, who was in turn well ahead of Xavi Vierge in eighth, who struggled to fight back after being forced wide earlier in the race.
Enea Bastianini (Italtrans) took the chequered flag in ninth, with Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) doing enough to claim a top ten finish.
Luca Marini finished his home race in a solid eleventh for Sky Racing Team VR46, and was untroubled by Jorge Martin on the second Red Bull entry in a heavily gapped field.
The remaining points on offer went to Andrea Locatelli (Italtrans) in 13th, Somikat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) in 14th and Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Temporary Forward) in 15th.
Adam Norrodin (in for Khairul Idham Pawi at Petronas) was the first to crash out, with Marco Bezzecchi exiting from a top ten ride shortly after.
Similarly, Remy Gardner was riding high when he had an off with fifteen laps remaining, swiftly followed by Nicolo Bulega on the same lap.
Marcel Schrotter missed the race after fracturing his collarbone, Mattia Pasini was also absent after fracturing his thoracic vertebrae in the same session.
Tetsuta Nagashima was the only other faller, tumbling out with twelve laps remaining.
