Agius takes historic Moto2 home win
Senna Agius has made history as the first Australian to win a Moto2/250cc race on home soil.
Agius rode to glory in style, controlling the entire 23-lap race at Phillip Island to take a 3.684s win.
The #81 Intact GP rider produced a lights-to-flag performance, leaving the rest to scrap for second.
Agius is no stranger to giving the home crowd something to cheer about, storming from 13th to second at last year’s Australian Grand Prix.
But his second ride around the Island will never be forgotten as he produced a performance showcasing similar dominance to Casey Stoner.
While there have been 11 MotoGP and two Moto3 home wins, no Australian crowd has ever seen one of their own win a Moto2/250cc race in the event, which has been held since 1989.
It is Agius’ second Moto2 win after also going all the way in Silverstone, but this will be his sweetest.
“I cannot believe we have got it done!” Agius said post-race.
“I knew since Friday we were fast, and I felt amazing this weekend
“I got a good start and went for it.
“I used all of the time in the middle of the race to break away.
“I am over the moon.”
Agius rose to the occasion as soon as the lights went out, getting a strong launch from second on the grid, hitting the lead ahead of Moreira and Gonzalez.
He was forced to extend his elbows through the third tour of the Southern Loop, ensuring he protected the lead despite a significant challenge from his Brazilian teammate.
The home hero rebounded brilliantly to not only retain track position, but built a three-tenth advantage
Despite a couple of nervy early moments, he put the foot down to take a firm grip of the race.
This forced Gonzalez to worry about those behind him and he soon slipped to fourth after both Alonso and Moreira got by within half a lap.
These battles were perfect for Agius as his gap ballooned to beyond 3s after 10 laps.
Although Gonzalez responded to Alonso and reclaimed third, he and Moreira resumed their squabble for second, which further helped the Australian’s cause.
It was not until Lap 14 when Gonzalez re-established the Intact GP one-two and by this point Agius had checked out to the best part of 5s.
He controlled the remainder of the race to live out his dream and win in front of his home crowd in commanding style.
Meanwhile, the wild six-bike battle for second did not relent until the chequered flag.
Following position changes on almost everyone of the final 10 laps, Alonso snuck 0.037s clear of Moreira, while Gonzalex slipped to seventh.
Although his margin of victory dropped from 5s to 3.684s on the final lap, no one cared as Agius proudly waved the Aussie flag, celebrating a famous win with the home fans around the seaside circuit.
Image:Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
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