#SanMarinoGP sees Stefano Nepa 14th and a DNF for Albert Arenas
Scottish John McPhee and Japanese Ai Ogura took advantage of the crash of Pull&Bear Aspar rider Albert Arenas to cut differences in the general standing. The World Championship leader started the penultimate lap in fifth position, but at the third corner he lost the rear of his bike and crashed. His advantage in the general classification diminishes in this way to just five points of distance on Ogura and fourteen points on McPhee, who have been today second and first, respectively. Joining them, on the podium, was the 2019 San Marino Grand Prix winner, Tatsuki Suzuki, while Jeremy Alcoba and Gabriel Rodrigo remained just off the podium.
Pull&Bear Aspar Team rider Albert Arenas started from thirteenth on the grid, but was already sixth on the first lap. The Spaniard has competed at all times in the leading group and was preparing his weapons for the last laps when he was caught by a crash with less than two laps to go. A touch from another rider has led him to lengthen his line and when he was returning to the normal line, he lost the rear of his motorcycle. His teammate Stefano Nepa has recovered a couple of positions from his starting position on the grid and has been able to re-enter the points zone with a fourteenth position in the first of two home Grand Prix for the Italian.
14th Stefano Nepa (+1.961):
“It has been a pretty good weekend for us because from the beginning we have been strong, and it is something that we normally found difficult. I have not had optimal sensations these days and I knew that I could do a fast lap, but in the race, I was going to sufferç. The first part of the race was complicated by the countless contacts with the rivals, but I tried to regain positions and stay hooked on the group. I have given my 100%, but I was on the edge. We continue to score points and I want to thank my team as well as my family and my sponsors for all their support.”
Albert Arenas (crash):
“It was a very busy and hard-fought race. I couldn’t finish, Arbolino touched me on the penultimate lap, I went long on the line and when I returned, I lost the rear wheel in a strange way. But hey, now it’s over, nothing can be done. I am satisfied with the performance of the weekend and the first twenty laps of the race. Fortunately, in a few days we get back on the bike: it’s the best thing that could happen to us. We remain leaders, but the important thing is the feelings and we have continued to fight for the victory. We learn a couple of things, next weekend we will be back stronger.”
