Scott Redding gave the Moto2 field a master class in controlling a race from the front today, as he stormed to his second successive win in as many weeks at Mugello. Mika Kallio ended a difficult weekend on a high by taking a hard fought fifth place finish after starting from 13th position on the grid. Redding, starting from pole position for the second time this season, looked to be in control from the off, shadowing Takaaki Nakagami until the Japanese rider started to slow and then making his move to take the race lead. Nico Terol managed to draft his way past on the start finish straight at mid-race distance but, after leading for just four laps, was relegated back to second place by a hard charging Redding, who then pulled out a gap that he maintained to the chequered flag. Redding's successive victories at Le Mans and Mugello is the first time a British rider has had back-to-back wins in the intermediate class since Rod Gould in 1971. The Marc VDS rider is also now the youngest British rider to take back-to-back Grand Prix wins, a record previously held by the late, great Barry Sheene. The Mugello win means Redding extends his lead at the top of the Moto2 Championship standings to 43 points over Nico Terol who, along with Frenchman Johann Zarco, joined the championship leader on the podium today. Mika Kallio put the troubles of practice and qualifying behind him today, to finish an impressive fifth and consolidate his third position in the championship standings. The 30-year-old Finn started today from 13th on the grid, but a lightning start and a late braking move into turn one, saw him emerge in sixth position. Kallio led the second group for the remainder of the race, but lost out on fourth place to Pol Espargaro in the final few laps.
Livio Loi endured a difficult Moto3 race, as he struggled with the same issues that had plagued him during practice and qualifying. The 16-year-old Belgian eventually finished in 25th position and, after putting this weekend behind him, is already looking forward to rediscovering his form in Barcelona in two weeks time.
Redding, Kallio and Loi will remain at Mugello for testing, with Moto2 scheduled to take to the track on Monday and Moto3 on Tuesday.
Scott Redding #45: 1st "What a weekend! It didn't start well, as I just didn't feel comfortable on the bike, but after consigning it to the skip on Saturday morning, the new bike felt much better. Qualifying on pole really boosted my confidence and once we got going I knew straight away that another win was a possibility. I slotted in behind Taka, pushing past when he started to slow and immediately pulled a gap. I'm not sure how Terol and Zarco caught me, but once Terol went in front I could see he wasn't comfortable running the pace. I have no idea why he decided to let me through, but I wasn't going to pass up a chance like that. I knew I could pull away, and that's what I did."
Mika Kallio #36: 5th