The first race of this year in Moto2 was disappointing for the Dutch motorcycle racers. Bo Bendsneyder crashed early in the race in the Portuguese Grand Prix and had to retire. Zonta van den Goorbergh lacked the energy to finish the race. He drove his bike into the garage seven laps from the end.
Spaniard Pedro Acosta won the race at the Portimão circuit, his compatriot Arón Canet came second. Italian Tony Arbolino finished third.
The 24-year-old Bendsneyder started the race from tenth place and was well ahead in the first lap. In the second lap it went wrong in the first corner. Bendsneyder was lightly tapped by another rider, and the touch caused him to slide down on his bike. The Dutchman was visibly frustrated and angrily strode away.
The 17-year-old Van den Goorbergh had become ill a week ago after the test races and, according to team manager Jarno Janssen, had mainly been in bed for a few days. He tried to make the best of it in Portimão, but his body clearly hadn’t recovered yet. He mainly ran the race around eighteenth place before retiring.
Source: ANP
