The Moto2™ Argentina Grand Prix went the way of the Italian Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Team) after a level-headed performance saw him get the better of Alonso Lopez (BETA Tools SpeedUp) and Jake Dixon (Solunion GASGAS Aspar Team) in a 3-way battle for the win.
Lights went out and it was a strong start for Aron Canet (Pons Wegwow Los 40) who took the holeshot ahead of a charging Jake Dixon. The Moto2™ riders barrelled into Turn 3 and it was a Dixon divebomb that saw the Brit take the lead.
As Chantra had a big moment seeing him drop down the order, Arbolino was on the move knocking on the door of the podium fight as they came across the line for the first time. Lopez was also in the mix slotting himself into P2.
Halfway through the second lap and Canet's lighting start was explained as the Valencian was slapped with a double long lap penalty after a jump start offence.
Twelve laps to go and Alonso Lopez made his way to the front, with Canet quickly following pursuit dropping Dixon down to P2. Straight after Canet took to his first long lap penalty, regifting 2nd spot to Dixon and rejoining the race in P5, taking his 2nd long lap one lap later and maintaining 5th place. Canet's progress was halted however as he brought home his Kalex in a lonely 4th place.
It wasn't long before Arbolino got the better of the Brit as the Marc VDS man decided he wanted to have a go at catching the escaping Alonso in the lead. With a 0.7s gap to bring down the Italian set the fastest lap of the race so far and had his sights set on the SpeedUp in front. Arbolino closed down the Spaniard whilst Dixon was riding pillion to the Italian, and was dragged up to the leader.
Back to the leading group ⚡️
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) April 2, 2023
It's a three-way tango for victory! ????#ArgentinaGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/DaWtVDe23r
Eight laps to go and we now had a three-rider scrap for the lead as Arbolino and Dixon made their presence known to the Spaniard out front. Alonso spent the race pushing on as he tried the stretch out the group. Arbolino and Dixon responded matching the pace of the Spaniard. Lopez was struggling on the brakes at Turn 5 getting progressively deeper each lap until the SpeedUp man completely missed the apex leaving the door wide open for the Italian to take the lead.
With two laps remaining the stage was set for a grandstand finish to the Argentina Grand Prix with Arbolino, Lopez, and Dixon locked together at the front. Last lap time and Arbolino had stretched the group out with a couple of bike lengths in hand to Lopez, with Dixon dropping off to take a lonely 3rd place. Arbolino held strong until the chequered flag, taking victory and the championship lead.
As the battle unfolded out the front it was a disaster for championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who was lingering just inside the top 12, finishing the race in 12th place and losing the championship lead to Arbolino by 8 points.
Sergio Garcia (Pons Wegwow Los 40) put in an incredibly impressive rookie performance to take 5th place in just his 2nd race in Moto2™, with Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna IntactGP) and Filip Salac (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) taking 6th and 7th.
As Moto2™ waves goodbye to Argentina, the riders face a week off before the action kicks off once again for the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas on the 16th of April.
Top 10:
1. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)
2. Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools Speed Up) + 0.663
3. Jake Dixon (Solunion GASGAS Aspar Team) + 1.961
4. Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) + 7.769
5. Sergio Garcia (Pons Wegow Los40) + 11.954
6. Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) + 12.274
7. Filip Salac (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) + 13.100
8. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) + 12.758*
9. Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 13.649
10. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 14.107
*One place penalty for exceeding track limits on the last lap