MOTO2: FERNANDEZ FIGHTS BACK

It was another Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2 in Moto2, this time with Raul Fernandez getting the better of Aussie Remy Gardner.

This time however, the two Ajo riders were pushed to the limit by both Marc VDS Racing Team riders Sam Lowes and Augusto Fernandez, in the end the quartet were separated by just 1.879s.

Raul Fernandez had pole from Gardner and Lowes, however Aron Canet made a great start and led for the first several corners.

The two Ajo teammates made contact on the exit of the opening turn but escaped unscathed with Gardner in second.

Lowes was quick early and dispersed of Gardner and Canet to lead at the end of lap 1.

On lap 2 in a battle with Ai Ogura, Raul Fernandez ran wide and dropped to ninth position, however he kept his head down and did not lose focus.

At this point his teammate Gardner grabbed the lead and thus began the incredible exchange of lead throughout the race.

By lap 7 Raul Fernandez made his way past Canet and it did not take him long to catch up to the leading trio who continued to battle away, costing themselves time.

Raul Fernandez was flying and on lap 14 of 24 dispersed of his teammate Gardner who had dropped to third and planned to make light work of the Marc VDS riders.

He did just that, he flew past Lowes on lap 16 and race leader Augusto Fernandez (no relation) on lap 18 to take the lead.

Immediately the #25 KTM Ajo rider set a time that the MARC VDS riders could not match and pulled a comfortable margin.

Gardner found a new lease of life in the final seven laps of the race, but it looked as though he was unable to find a way onto the podium.

However, his persistence paid off, overtaking Lowes on lap 22 and Augusto Fernandez on the penultimate lap, and that was the way it remained.

Raul Fernandez took the win by 1s from Gardner, Augusto Fernandez and Lowes.

Canet crashed out of the race with five laps to go.

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