The CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar rider finished second in a tough race in Germany and battled for victory right up to the final corner. Alonso was unable to finish the race after crashing
Dani Holgado secured his fourth podium of the season at the German Grand Prix. Sunday’s race proved one of the most challenging for riders in the intermediate class, but the Spaniard was able to battle for victory right up to the final metres. The CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar rider crossed the finish line in second place, behind Iván Ortolá, who secured his second win of the year. Izan Guevara finished third in Moto2. David Alonso suffered a crash that prevented him from finishing the race whilst he was in the top five of the standings.
The Sachsenring circuit once again delivered a thrilling Moto2 race. The CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar riders had to contend with high tyre wear from the very first lap, so keeping their cool to avoid increasing that wear was crucial throughout the 25 laps. Alonso and Holgado got off to a good start, which allowed them to move up the field from the outset and establish themselves within the top five. Holgado felt very comfortable on the bike and maintained a more conservative pace to preserve his tyres and attack in the final laps. With three laps to go, the Spaniard moved into first place heading into the final straight, still in with a chance of fighting for victory once more. He came very close to achieving it, but a small mistake in the final corner prevented him from challenging Ortolá for the win, and he finished second. His team-mate David Alonso also did a good job of managing the race at the Sachsenring and, despite pushing hard in the opening laps to catch up with the leading group, he still had room to keep climbing up the order. Halfway through the race, just as he was riding at his best, Alonso suffered a crash which caused him no physical harm but prevented him from continuing and scoring further points in the standings. Despite this bitter end to the German Grand Prix, Alonso remains fourth in the overall standings, whilst his team-mate Dani Holgado is fifth, just one point behind.
2nd Dani Holgado (+0.614): “It was a very, very tough race, but I’m really happy to be back on the podium after such a long time. Tyre management was the most important thing: you had to know how much to push at any given moment. You had to ride at 50 or 60 per cent and know how to stay calm even when you felt strong. I tried to attack in the first three laps to get into a good position and then take it easier so I could think clearly on the bike. It worked out well for me; I tried to manage the tyre as best I could and, over the last five laps, I tried to attack Ortolá because I had a bit more tyre life left than he did. He made it very difficult for me – we were both pushing the tyres to the limit – we braked very late into the final corner and I nearly crashed. I’m a bit disappointed not to have secured the win, but I gave it my all. The team did a great job to get us back at the front; I’m still keen and ambitious to fight for the win again after the summer break.”
Crash David Alonso: “I’m pleased with the good start I made today at the Sachsenring. On the first lap I got into a good position and made it into the top five, although I had to take a bit of a risk – but it was worth it. When the riders at the front started to pull away from the pack, I wasn’t right on their heels and it was very easy to get dropped, but I stayed focused and didn’t lose sight of them. The tyres were wearing out a lot, but there came a point in the race where I felt good and started to move up the field. In one corner I accelerated a bit too hard, lost control, and that was the end of my race. I’ll be taking a bit of a break over these three weeks so I can be in top form for the next race at Silverstone.”
