Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) reigned the rain in Sepang, and in doing so took his second Moto2™ World Championship. The first Frenchman to win two titles in Grand Prix Racing and the first man to defend the Moto2™ crown since its introduction in 2010, Zarco heads into Valencia with the pressure he admitted to feeling now gone – and that pressure is now sitting on the shoulders of the men who sit behind him in the standings.
On the paddock’s arrival to Sepang, Tom Lüthi (Garage Plus Interwetten) was the man on the move. Taking over in second in the title and holding onto that after another top six in Malaysia, the Swiss rider’s comeback since his crash in Brno sees him head into the final round in the best position to secure second. With his form since missing the Czech GP matched by no other rider on the grid, and pressure not having seen him crack, Lüthi will be the odds-on favourite for P2.
Alex Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP40) had a tough triple-header and after cutting the gap to Zarco to one point, comes into the final round now on the defensive against a charging Franco Morbidelli (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS). Rins is now six points ahead of the Italian in the standings as they sit in third and fourth respectively, but is returning to both home turf and home support in Valencia. Rins and Morbidelli also have a shot at taking second in the title in the final showdown – but will need Lüthi’s recent form to desert him. With Morbidelli ever present in the fight for the win, the Italian also has an added incentive: win his first Moto2™ race.
His teammate at Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS, Alex Marquez, will be on the hunt for another podium at home after his stunning ride at MotorLand Aragon – and the man in front of him on that day, Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), will be looming large in everyone’s mirrors as he attempts one last leap up the table before his move to MotoGP™. Jonas Folger (Dynavolt Intact GP) will also be looking to say goodbye to his intermediate class career with another win – with MotoGP™ just around the corner.
One final race, and one more shot at 25 points – the Circuit de Ricardo Tormo is ready for the last battle of another spectacular Moto2™ season
