Binder celebrates comeback with 5th place on the grid in India, Tulovic breaks collarbone
Once again, the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 team's joys and sorrows are close together. Lukas Tulovic broke his collarbone in a violent P3 crash, while comeback rider Darryn Binder brought joy to everyone after several weeks out with an injury by starting on row 2 in 5th position.
When the Buddh International Circuit opened its doors for the first time for the Motorcycle World Championship on Friday and the pit lane switched to green for the first session of Moto2, Lukas Tulovic coped surprisingly well with the challenging 5.01km rollercoaster track. The German finished in eleventh position and was full of hope after this successful start to the weekend. Unfortunately, the 13th race weekend of the season ended early for the 23-year-old. Tulovic broke his left collarbone in a terrible crash in P3, which will be fixed with a plate in an operation at the Apollo Hospital Jasol in New Delhi. The whole team wishes Lukas Tulovic a smooth operation, a quick recovery, and a speedy return to the busy Asian tour, which continues in Japan in just one week's time.
For Darryn Binder, the excellent qualifying result exceeds all expectations and hopes after the South African injured his back at the Austrian Grand Prix and was only a silent spectator for a few weeks. The 25-year-old carefully reacquainted himself with his Kalex and the demanding corner combinations of the Indian race track. Ambitious and hungry for success, Binder put down a 2'03.247 on the wet track in Q1, which paved the way for him to progress to the all-important Qualifying 2. A few minutes later he managed a small sensation. Just 0.678s behind pole-sitter Jake Dixon, Binder lined up on row two in fifth place on the grid, from where he looks forward to the 18-lap race with more than hope, even if his dry pace still has room for improvement. It will be a demanding race for all involved, if only because of the unbearable heat, but this glimmer of hope allows the German racing team to breathe a sigh of relief despite Lukas Tulovic's injury.
The race start for the Moto2 class is at 10:15 am (CEST).
Results
P1
1. Somkiat CHANTRA/ THA/ KALEX – 1'52.596
2. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'52.878 (+0.282)
3. Ai OGURA/ JAP/ KALEX – 1'53.495 (+0.899)
11. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 1'53.940 (+1.344)
19. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX – 1'54.164 (+1.568)
P2
1. Tony ARBOLINO/ ITA/ KALEX – 1'52.105
2. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'52.170 (+0.065)
3. Ai OGURA/ JAP/ KALEX – 1'52.188 (+0.083)
12. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 1'52.914 (+0.809)
18. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX – 1'53.066 (+0.961)
P3
1. Manuel GONZALEZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'51.608
2. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'51.725 (+0.117)
3. Celestino VIETTI/ ITA/ KALEX – 1'51.887 (+0.279)
20. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 1'52.507 (+0.899)
25. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX – 1'52.703 (+1.095)
Q1
1. Zonta VD GOORBERGH/ NED/ KALEX – 2'02.614
2. Sergio GARCIA/ SPA/ KALEX – 2'02.959 (+0.345)
3. Barry BALTUS/ BEL/ KALEX – 2'03.111 (+0.497)
4. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 2'03.247 (+0.633)
Q2
1. Jake DIXON/ GBR/ KALEX – 2'01.924
2. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – 2'01.956 (+0.032)
3. Sergio GARCIA/ SPA/ KALEX – 2'02.192 (+0.268)
5. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX – 2'02.602 (+0.678)
