Moto2 Indonesia: Chantra dominates for historic maiden win
Somkiat Chantra made history as he crossed the line clear of his rivals in tricky conditions to take victory in the Moto2 Indonesian Grand Prix In Mandalika.
The race saw drama before a wheel had turned when it was announced that the distance would be reduced to sixteen laps due to track conditions. The weather also paid a part with spots of rain appearing sporadically over the distance.
The Idemitsu Honda Team Asia rider, who had qualified fourth and never finished higher than fifth in the intermediate class before, got his 50th Moto2 race off to a flying start.
Aggressive into turn one he found himself at the front of the race, surprising pole man Jake Dixon, who slipped to third before falling early on trying to keep pace at the front.
The Thai rider pulled out a gap, which he extended over the race, holding a comfortable lead and surviving a late wobble to take a historical win - the first Thai rider to do so in world championship racing.
Celestino Vietti spent too many laps trying to find a way past rival Aron Canet to be able to bridge the gap, crossing the line second, 3.230s behind after Chantra responded to his push to catch up.
After winning in Qatar, back to back rostrum appearances sees the Mooney VR46 Racing Team rider extend his early title lead, now with a total of 45 points.
Canet was able to get his wooden bow tie out again and celebrate third in the tricky conditions, completing the podium for Flexbox HP40.
Elf Marc VDS rider Sam Lowes spent a lot of his race running solo, unable to keep pace with the Spaniard but in turn clear of the tight battle for fifth.
That three way duel was won at the chequered flag by Augusto Fernandez for Red Bull KTM Ajo, holding off Ai Ogura and Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up). Ogura moved up to sixth after qualifying way down in 20th and dropping further back on the first lap, completing a great day for the Idemitsu team.
Tony Arbolino was two seconds further back in eighth on the second Elf Marc VDS entry before a wait for ninth placed Pedro Acosta.
Acosta was the top rookie for Red Bull KTM Ajo despite a trip down the long lap penalty loop for his practice crash under yellow flag conditions, which he politely indicated he was going to take to the group he was in.
Albert Arenas did enough to complete the top ten for Inde GasGas Aspar.
The Spaniard was challenged hard for the position by Joe Roberts, with the Italtrans rider having to settle for eleventh, and his compatriot, Cameron Beaubier, who crossed the line twelfth for Italtrans.
The remaining points on offer went to Jorge Navarro who climbed to 13th late in the race for Flexbox HP40, with Jeremy Alcoba close behind in 14th for Liqui Moly Intact GP and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) in 15th.
Simone Corsi was an early faller after a great start had seen him climb to fourth on the first lap. Rookies Sean Dylan Kelly and Kenminth Kubo also crashed out of the race.
Barry Baltus was deemed unfit to ride after fracturing his right radius bone.
