Red Bull KTM Ajo rider adapts perfectly to mixed track conditions and takes third place. Brad Binder crashes out on the second lap.

In the second race of 2018, Miguel Oliveira took his first podium of the season -coincidentally at the same place where he did so last year. Third place in Argentina came after a hard-fought race on a mixed surface, which made things tough for the Moto2 field. Teammate Brad Binder was involved in an incident on the second lap, and crashed out.

The 23-lap contest at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit provided a big challenge for the intermediate class, due to the presence of damp patches around the track. With the entire grid choosing to run slick tyres, Oliveira and Binder got off to good starts: The Portuguese gained four places on the opening corner, whilst the South African moved up three places on the third lap. On the second lap, Binder was involved in an incident with another rider, and crashed at Turn 13.

Oliveira rode practically the entire race in the podium spots, and led the way both on Lap 13 and with 6 laps to go. However, contact with a rival rider on that same lap dropped him down to third, where he stayed until the chequered flag.

Following the Argentinian GP, Miguel Oliveira is fifth in the overall standings with 27 points. Brad Binder is tenth, with 10 points. The next round of the Moto2 World Championship season takes place on April 22nd, in Austin, USA.

Results (Race)
1. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) 40:37.538
2. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) +0.850
3. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +1.414
4. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) +5.178
5. Alex Marquez (Kalex) +5.431
DNF. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo)

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2018
1. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) 38 points
2. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 33 points
3. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 32 points
4. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) 28 points
5. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 27 points
10. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 10 points

44 MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I think that during today’s race I left the door wide open, above all on the final corner, and that caused me to lose positions at times. I knew that the race would be like it was, with many places where overtaking was possible. I felt very strong, I had pace and I had speed, but it was simply that my lines weren’t defensive enough. I had a bit of bad luck, I lost time and, when there were three laps to go, Vierge overtook me and I couldn’t do much more. With this podium the situation is very positive, we are taking a lot of points home and we have been performing as we habitually do. I’m very happy with this third place.”

41 BRAD BINDER
“It has definitely not been a good day for me. I think I made a good start, but there were few dry lines and it was difficult to overtake without touching the wet patches. Everything was going well, but unfortunately, I was behind another rider, who braked several metres earlier than he had done on the previous lap. I didn’t expect it and I collided with him. I apologise to Navarro. We have to reset and go for the next race in Austin.”