Moto2: Nakagami takes win as Marquez crashes out

Takaaki Nakagami stormed to just his second career Grand Prix victory in a dramatic Moto2 outing at Silverstone, beating polesitter Mattia Pasini and series leader Franco Morbidelli to the win.

It was the Estrella Galicia Marc VDS machines of Alex Marquez and Morbidelli who had the early lead with Marquez looking strong until a return to old ways saw him crash out of the lead.

It had initially looked as though Marquez’ fall would leave Morbidelli with a safe win, but a hard-charging Nakagami, who has recently confirmed his future in MotoGP with the LCR Honda team, closed him down to take the lead towards the end of the race.

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It was a drop off in rear grip that had seen Morbidelli drop back, with the Italian also losing out to compatriot Pasini as he settled for the rostrum and points over series rival Luthi, who finished fourth.

Franceso Bagnaia crossed the line fifth for Sky Racing VR46 ahead of Simone Corsi and Silverstone-specialist Stefano Manzi, while the KTM duo of Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder were eighth and ninth ahead of Dominque Aegerter who rounded out the top ten.

British wildcard Jake Dixon bagged a strong 26^th place on his Moto2 debut while full-time Moto2 star Tarran Mackenzie crashed out while battling with his fellow home star.

Morbidelli now leads Luthi in the series standings by 29 points with Alex Marquez third.

 

For all the reaction, news and extensive analysis from the 2017 British Grand Prix, pick up Wednesday’s issue of MCN