FERMIN ALDEGUER RETURNS TO WINNING WAYS
The Triumph powered Moto2 grid returned to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix, round four of the 2024 season at the Circuito de Jerez. All the action took place in front of record breaking crowds of almost 300,000 at the iconic circuit in southern Spain.
Joe Roberts set a fast pace early on, just shy of the lap record but didn’t manage to stay at the top of the timing sheets. It was Spaniard Fermin Aldeguer who powered to his first pole of 2024 ahead of Albert Arenas and Jake Dixon. Roberts only managed to qualify 11th for Sunday’s race.
Manuel Gonzalez got the best start charging through from fourth on the grid to take the early lead from Aldeguer. Last race winner Sergio Garcia also got a great start going from sixth to third ahead of Dixon and Arenas. Gonzalez and Aldeguer were soon locked into a brilliant battle for the lead with the pair trading places at the front until Aldeguer made it stick. Once he had clear track in front of him, Aldeguer started to pull away for a faultless ride to take his first win of the year.
Meanwhile Roberts, who was 12th at one point, was blitzing his way through the pack, setting a new lap record of 1m 41.020 on the way. The Californian caught up to the back wheel of Garcia before picking his way through into the final podium position to break up the all-Spanish party at the front. His next target was Gonzalez and the pair locked into an intense battle for second. Roberts ultimately passed the Spaniard to take his third consecutive second place. Garcia crossed the line in fourth with Arenas rounding out the top five.
Roberts is the first American rider to score three consecutive podiums in any GP class in 18 years and with it he takes the lead in the Championship. Fermin Aldeguer’s victory makes it four different winners from the opening four Moto2 races, the first time that has happened in eight years.
Triumph Triple Trophy
Triumph and MotoGP announced a new format for the Triumph Triple Trophy for 2024, where the winner will take home a Street Triple 765 RS prize bike at the end of the season.
This year, a judging panel picks a short list of three standout riders which will be published on MotoGP’s Instagram stories. Fans can then vote for their favourite.
The points awarded are in reference to Triumph’s 765cc engine:
7 points for the rider with most fan votes
6 points for the rider with second most fan votes
5 points for the rider with third most fan votes
This week’s shortlist is:
- Joe Roberts for his spectacular comeback from 12th to second.
- Fermin Aldeguer for his first pole and victory of the year, some great battles and his speed and consistency at the front once he broke away.
- Manuel Gonzalez for his great start to take the early lead and brilliant battles.
Look out for the Instagram stories on MotoGP’s official Instagram account @motogp to vote for your favourite.
Moto2 heads to Le Mans for round five in two week’s time, 10 - 12 May.
