Moto2: Zarco mystified by Lowes crash penalty

Reigning Moto2 world champion Johann Zarco says he’s mystified as to why he was penalised for the crash that saw Sam Lowes fall from Sunday’s Moto2 race at the British Grand Prix – and potentially out of contention for the 2016 title.

Colliding with title rival Lowes with three laps to go, the Frenchman was handed a 30 second penalty after the race that dropped him out of the points in the final results.

He made an aggressive move on Lowes at Brooklands, diving up the inside of him and leaving the Brit with nowhere to go – then finding himself unable to brake after contact between the pair bent his brake level protector.

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But speaking to MCN after the race, the Ajo Motorsport rider said that he didn’t understand why he had been penalised for what he chalked down as a racing incident.

“It was three laps to go until the end and I was in good position behind Luthi. I knew Sam was behind me, and he overtook me in corner fourteen but because it wasn’t many laps until the end I wanted to overtake shortly after to not lose the gap to Luthi.

“I overtook Sam, he saw me and tried to resist, and we touched. After the first contact, my front brake went up and I couldn’t brake more, so when we touched a second time he crashed. I lost a lot of time too, and finally I thought I would finish sixth position with ten points.

“I did not expect the penalty, and it is a shame. It was the weekend to take a bigger gap in the championship because Rins has a problem with the collarbone, but it was totally the opposite. It’s a tough game. I cannot say anything about the penalty; just accept it, because speaking won’t change anything.”

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