Arbolino clinches Moto2 victory at the American Grand Prix amid a chaotic day in Austin
Italy’s Tony Arbolino, riding for Elf Marc VDS Racing Team, surged to victory in the Moto2 race at the American Grand Prix, the fourth round of the world championship. The race unfolded on a sunlit but tumultuous afternoon, with crashes and pit stops shaping the final standings and giving Arbolino his first win on American soil.
The Austin event lived up to its reputation for drama. Fewer than half of the field crossed the finish line, as 17 of the 29 starters failed to complete the race. A shifting leadership battle blew wide open early, testing every rider’s nerve and strategy. The world championship picture became unsettled as the race progressed, with key contenders searching for consistency from the outset.
In a dramatic turn, Celestino Vietti of Mooney VR46 Racing Team and Aron Canet of FlexBox HP40 fought hard to gain the upper hand. Canet overtook the Italian to take control, while Vietti tried to reassert himself but ultimately experienced a harsh fall that knocked him out of podium contention. The setback opened the door for others to seize the moment as the race moved into its closing stages.
Competition remained fierce as the pack battled for position, with riders pushing to extract maximum speed from the track. Even prominent names such as Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Ajo and Fermin Aldeguer of MB Conveyors Speed Up faced misfortune in the struggle to move forward, underscoring how unforgiving the Austin circuit proved to be that day.
At the far end of the field, a collision cluster on the Istanbul turn area on the second lap added to the day’s danger. The incident sent several riders spinning and adjusting their lines at nearly race speed, contributing to the high attrition rate that left only a handful of hopefuls still in contention as the laps dwindled.
When the chaos cleared, the podium was decided by a few decisive efforts and tight execution. Arbolino held his nerve to secure the win with a steady, late surge that kept him ahead of rivals who had once threatened to disrupt his rhythm. Ai Ogura from Idemitsu Honda Team Asia joined Arbolino on the podium, with Jake Dixon of Shimoko GASGAS Aspar Team completing the trio. Jorge Navarro of FlexBox HP40 finished in fifth, marking a strong performance amid tough competition and signaling a resurgence for the Spanish riders in the field.
Throughout the race, the battle for championship legitimacy remained a key theme. The outcome in Austin reshaped expectations as the riders moved deeper into the season, each effort contributing to the evolving narrative of who can consistently contend for glory in Moto2. While Arbolino celebrated a hard earned triumph, the rest of the field regrouped, ready to channel the day’s lessons into the upcoming rounds.