Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1467929
race-long battle with Cameron Beaubier (American Racing). Championship leader Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) limited the damage to his title hopes by finishing eighth from 18th on the grid in the 25- lap encounter. Joe Roberts started way down in 25th on the Italtrans Kalex but battled through to seventh, while Sean Dylan Kelly (American Racing Team) finished 20th. In the series, Vietti holds firm with 108 points over Ogura at 92 and Canet third at 89. Roberts is sixth at 66, Beaubier 14th at 29 and Kelly 28th with three points. Moto3 In a typical Moto3 fistfight, the Moto3 race went down to the wire following a restart caused by rain. The 14-lap distance saw Red Bull KTM Ajo's Jaume Masia take the victory after a thrilling final corner move past Ayumu Zarco took fifth for Pramac Ducati ahead of Marc Marquez, Nakagami, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM), who was the only KTM rider not to crash out at Le Mans, and Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Ducati) completing the top 10. In the championship, Quar- tararo's lead is just four points over Espargaro, 102 to 98, with Bastianini third at 94. Moto2 Red Bull KTM Ajo's Augusto Fernandez broke through for his first race win in almost three years at Le Mans. While it was joy for the 24-year-old at Le Mans, it was a different story for his rookie teammate Pedro Acosta, who had taken a career-first pole but crashed out of the race lead on lap 11. Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) finished a distant second, and Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) made the podium after a VOLUME 59 ISSUE 20 MAY 17, 2022 P73 ESPARGARO & APRILIA As the weeks go by, the impasse between Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia remains. After qualifying third on Saturday, the Catalan revealed he has heard no further word from the Italian factory on its intentions with regards to rider lineup in 2023. This issue first emerged in Austin when Espargaro said, "The first talks were really disappointing. I feel very sad because we are completely super far [apart]." And still there is no breakthrough. "It doesn't depend on me," said the 32-year-old after securing his fourth front-row start of the year. "I said many times I want to stay on Aprilia, but I don't really understand what's going on. It makes me a bit sad. Every race a little bit more, but I cannot control. It is how it is, but for sure I will not wait forever." APRILIA SATELLITE TEAM? Aprilia confirmed it is keen to expand its presence in the MotoGP class next year. Reports have linked the RNF squad currently running Andrea Dovizioso and Darryn Binder to a switch from Yamaha to Aprilia machinery next year. Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola admitted they want to run four bikes in 2023. "We are thinking about eventually providing two more bikes," said the Italian. "If we find the right partner, we have to do it in a really short time. We have to prepare to do it properly in a professional way, as we are growing as a team and also a factory. So, we need to not lose performance in the research and development in the current factory team. We need to become bigger, and we need time to settle that." Briefly... Augusto Fernandez's Moto2 win reminded everyone he's still got it.