Gonzalez Goes Two for Two in Moto2 Masterclass

Relentless pace and precision earn Spaniard second straight win ahead of Baltus and Canet

Manuel Gonzalez delivered another headline performance to claim back-to-back Moto2 victories, edging out a determined Barry Baltus in a gripping race-long battle at Le Mans.

From the start, Gonzalez got the holeshot, but it was Diogo Moreira who stormed into the lead at Turn 3 with a typically aggressive move. Jake Dixon slotted into third, Filip Salac into fourth, and Aussie Senna Agius settled into 15th after a clean getaway.

By lap two, Dixon was pushing hard into the Dunlop Chicane, but the front two began to edge away. Behind them, Baltus was on the charge—clocking the fastest lap on lap three and moving into fourth before overtaking Dixon for third.

On lap four, Gonzalez came back at Moreira with a strong move into Turn 9 to reclaim the lead. Moreira stayed close and menacing, but Gonzalez held him at bay. By lap seven, the Brazilian began to fade slightly, and Baltus pounced, overtaking him into the Dunlop Chicane and setting off in pursuit of Gonzalez.

As the laps ticked by, the top two steadily distanced themselves from the rest, dipping into the 1:34s—making history as the first Moto2 riders to do so at Le Mans. Baltus kept Gonzalez honest, riding with spectacular energy and flair, but Gonzalez’s rhythm and composure in the final sector proved decisive.

Further back, Canet climbed through the field and made a decisive move on Moreira for third on lap 16. Dixon and Arenas joined the podium chase, but Gonzalez and Baltus were already over five seconds up the road.

Despite intense pressure from Baltus, Gonzalez never flinched. By lap 21, he had finally broken his rival’s challenge, pulling out a one-second buffer. On the final lap, Moreira looked poised to fight Canet for third, but the Spaniard’s pace in the final sector was too strong.

At the flag, Gonzalez claimed top honours, Baltus a brilliant second, and Canet held on for a well-earned podium. Moreira finished fourth ahead of Dixon, while Arenas took sixth. Agius, who served a long-lap penalty mid-race after cutting the track at Turn 9, fought back to finish 14th.

Gonzalez’s second straight win keeps him at the top of the Moto2 standings on 111 points, now leading Canet (95 points) by 16. Dixon (77 pts) and Baltus (73 pts) remain close behind, while Moreira moves up to 50 points.

Gonzalez is quickly establishing himself as the title favourite—but with 14 rounds still to go, the fight is far from over.

Le Mans Moto2 Race

Moto2 World Standings