Ajo Motorsport rider gets first Moto2 win in Argentina and heads the overall standings.

Johann Zarco and Ajo Motorsport rounded off the Grand Prix of Argentina weekend in the best way possible, with their respective first wins in the Moto2 class. The Frenchman, dominant over the entire weekend, took off from pole position and gave no chance to his rivals once he had established his pace. With this second consecutive podium, Zarco leads the overall standings in the intermediate class.

Starting from the front of the grid for the first time this season, Zarco completed the first lap in third. It was on the third lap of the race that the Frenchman took the lead, going on to extend a gap of almost two seconds from his nearest rival, Sam Lowes. The difference between the two remained the same, despite Zarco setting the fastest lap of the race on four occasions. It was not until the closing stages that the Ajo Motorsport rider added an extra second to his advantage –and crossed the finish line first.

This maiden victory for the Frenchman in Moto2 –his second in World Championship competition– allows him to take the lead in the overall standings with a total of 53 points. He is 4 points ahead of his closest challenger. Zarco will defend the position in two weeks’ time at the first European event of the season: The Spanish Grand Prix.

Results – Race
1. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 39:44.497
2. Alex Rins (Kalex) +2.715
3. Sam Lowes (Speed Up) +4.161
4. Mika Kallio (Kalex) +5.310
5. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) +7.958

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2015
1. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 53 points
2. Alex Rins (Kalex) 49 points
3. Sam Lowes (Speed Up) 41 points
4. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) 33 points
5. Jonas Folger (Kalex) 32 points

Johann Zarco,
“I am very happy, because the goal for today was to win the race and we finally managed to do it. In addition, we are up into the lead of the overall standings, which is an extra prize. We had to work really hard for it. I tried to push hard from the start, because we knew that we had the pace, but it wasn’t at all easy. I was pushing really hard and the gap remained 1.5 or 2 seconds. I wasn’t sure if I’d do it until right at the end. I want to thank the team and all the sponsors for this win. I am very happy and we need to carry on in the same way.”

Aki Ajo,
“The Moto2 race was very nice. Throughout the weekend Johann [Zarco] has been very strong and he rounded off all the great work he had done in practice when it came to the race. What more can I say? Impressive! I’m very happy with his pace and with how much he has improved in recent years. When we worked together in 2011, he was already fast, but he has made a big step forward. I am also very proud that he and his manager trust in our team to work together this season.”