Moto2 Styria: Bezzecchi claims first win after Martin demotion

Jorge Martin had looked to have backed up his first Moto2 win, taking the chequered flag first after being chased down by Marco Bezzecchi for the duration of the Moto2 Styria Grand Prix in Austria.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was the unhappiest man in parc ferme after running over the final ‘v’ of green in the run to the line he was deemed to have gained an advantage by exceeding track limits and demoted a positon, elevating Marco Bezzecchi to race winner.

The Sky Racing VR46 rider had needed to pass Remy Gardner to launch his hunt of the Spaniard. Once in second he had cut the gap down to 0.060s at the line, with Martin forced into a series of tiny errors in the closing laps from the pressure he applied.

Bezzecchi's win continued a great day for the team, who had already secured victory in the race day Moto3 opener with Celestino Vietti.

Gardner held on for a solid third for Onexox TKKR SAG Team, completing an all Kalex podium. It is just his second rostrum visit in the class.

Tetsuta Nagashima had been mixing it with the leaders in the early stages of the race before fading to fourth on the second Red Bull entry.

Tom Luthi looked to be back on form in fifth for Liqui Moly Intact GP. It was a day of mixed fortunes for the team with Marcel Schrotter down in eleventh.

Sixth went to Xavi Vierge ( Petronas Sprinta Racing). The Spaniard was well clear of seventh placed finisher Luca Marini. The Italian retains the championship lead, partly thanks to his teammates victory.

It was a strong day for the Petronas team - Jake Dixon overtook Hector Garzo late in the race for eighth, the British rider’s best result to date.

Garzo was the best rookie performer in the race for Flexbox HP40 while Enea Bastianini showed great determination to return to the scene of his crash with Hafizh Syahrin last weekend and take a top ten finish for Italtrans.

The Italian passed Schrotter late on for that position. Jake Roberts was next to arrive at the finish line in a distant twelfth for Tennor American Racing.

Nicolo Bulega was a lonely 13th for Federal Oil Gresini, with the remaining points on offer going to Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Forward Racing), the first non-Kalex rider to finish in 14th and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP40) in 15th.

Polesitter Aron Canet fell early, trying to keep pace with Martin saw him push too hard and end his day in the gravel.

Augusto Fernandez also suffered an early exit, as did his teammate Sam Lowes, who took Somkiat Chantra and Jorge Navarro with him. The EG 0,0 MArc VDS rider rejoined only to crash again - his race would have been over regardless as he had already been handed a black flag for irresponsible riding.

Dominuque Aegerter also failed to finish the race. 

Canet and Chantra both attended the medical centre for check-ups.