Spaniard Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) won the Catalunya Grand Prix on Sunday, September 3 ahead of his teammate and compatriot Maverick Vinales after a race marked by the impressive fall, from the start, of Italian world champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), who was taken to hospital for tests. Only one turn after a collective crash which notably involved the French rider Johan Zarco (Ducati-Pramac), the leader of the general classification was ejected from his motorcycle after a loss of control before being rolled on his legs by the Sud- African Brad Binder (KTM) who couldn’t avoid it.
First taken to the medical center of the Circuit de Catalunya before being transported to a hospital in Barcelona for further examinations, the 26-year-old Turinese did not suffer from a serious injury according to the first information revealed by the organizers of the race.
Spanish triple
The day after his victory in the sprint, Aleix Espargaro, born in Granollers, a few kilometers from the Circuit de Catalunya, again shone in front of his supporters to clinch the third victory of his career in Moto GP.
Espargaro and Vinales flew over the race after the second consecutive start with the red flag raised after the crashes that occurred on the first lap. The two Catalans offered the public a nice duel, finally won by the local hero, while Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) secured a Spanish hat-trick by taking third place.
“I have no words… It was difficult. I made a mistake and I wasn’t sure I could catch Maverick but I managed it so it’s great,” said Espargaro, who had already won in Britain in August.
Starting 6th and 17th respectively on the starting grid, the French Johan Zarco and Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) made a good comeback at Montmelo to finish the race in 4th and 7th position.
