Zarco wins chaotic Moto2 battle

Johann Zarco has got his hopes of retaining his Moto2 world title back on tracks after taking a victory over Lorenzo Baldassarri in a frantic two-part race at Mugello.

Pole man Sam Lowes was an early fighter for the win alongside Tom Luthi, but a red flag was brought out when Xavi Vierge’s Tech 3 machine punctured an air fence that required replacement.

The restart was then subsequently delayed, with front-runner Takaaki Nakagami related to the back of the grid for heading too early, leaving Zarco promoted well up and able to make the most of it.

Battling for the race win with Baldassarri, he was able to set himself up to take the win. A strong rally for Lowes, struggling on the harder tyre he’d spent all weekend preparing to use, left him third.

Luthi finished fourth, ahead of a pair of strong rides for Hafizh Syahrin and Axel Pons. Brit Danny Kent took two much-needed points home in 14^th.