Moto2: Zarco wins wet Folger battle - Rins, Lowes fall
Johann Zarco got the better of future team-mate Jonas Folger as their victory battle ignited on the final lap of a crash-filled German Moto2 Grand Prix, as the rain claimed victim after victim with just fifteen finishers.
Ajo Motorsport man Zarco was able to perform a tentative backfilp in the wet to mark his fourth win of the season, his 37th podium appearance bringing him level with French legend Christian Sarron.
One day after his birthday Zarco pushed hard to stay at the front but looked controlled to the end, where he used his power to push ahead despite his share of wobbles in a difficult race.
Folger rode safe but tried for the win over the closing corners, coming close and only beaten right at the line. The German was the best placed home rider and it also marks a return to the podium for the Dynavolt Intact GP rider for the first time since Argentina.
Alex Rins calmed and was willing to settle for third but was a crucial faller with just three laps remaining, handing title holder Zarco a huge championship advantage - a clear 25 point lead as the pair were previously tied at the top.
The final rostrum spot instead went to the distant but brave Julian Simon, the QMMF rider was emotional and had 'no words' after a brilliant ride with a damaged heel saw him return to the podium after a longer absence - he wast last there after a third place in Indianapolis in 2012.
Another seasoned campaigner, Mattia Pasini, took fourth for Italtrans, his best result this season.
Defying original reports which suggested he woud not race after damaging his collarbone again in qualifying, but Lorenzo Baldassarri lived up to his 'Iron Balda' nickname when he not only arrived on the grid, but rode in the top ten for Forward Racing. He rode with care and benefited from all the crashes to secure an eventual fifth.
Sensible riding also kept his team-mate Luca Marini in contention, he was just one place behind and top rookie.
Hafizh Syahrin was next to take the chequered flag in seventh for Petronas Raceline Malaysia, well clear of Jesko Raffin in eighth, the SAG riders best ever world championship finish.
Ninth went to Isaac Vinales his best result since moving up to Moto2 with Tech 3, Dominique Aegerter was the best of the Interwetten riders even though he is carrying slight injuries after Suzuka 8-Hour testing and completed the top ten.
Taka Nakagami was leading the race before a turn two slip saw him in the gravel before returning to track in 22nd position. The Japanese rider fought back for eleventh for Idemitsu.
Remy Gardner also secured a best finish in a impressive twelfth after just a couple of appearances with Tasca Racing.
The remaining points went to Robin Mulhauser in 13th for Interwetten, Edgar Pons in 14th for Paginas Amraillas HP40 and Sandro Cortese who rejoined after a late fall for the final point at home with the Dynavolt team.
Franco Morbidelli also crashed out of the lead after a heavy move on Rins saw him lead, off at turn one with just seven laps left to run.
Miguel Oliveira was the fist to fall after an early highside with 25 laps remaining. Marcel Schrotter only lasted one lap more of his home race before exiting at turn eight.
Ratthapark Wilairot received a jump start penalty, relegating him to last before retiring.
Xavi Vierge, Simone Corsi and Sam Lowes also fell after progressing through the field to sixth.
Axel Pons, last years winner Xavier Simeon and Alex Marquez- who was fourth, all also crashed out as did Tom Luthi who unusually retires for the second race running.
Simeon returned to track only to crash out again - as did Marquez, Lowes and Morbidelli shortly after.
