MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

Toni Elias won his fourth race in a row at Misano, and took a big step towards securing the inaugural Moto2 championship. The Gresini Honda rider got off the line well, but Forward Racing's Jules Cluzel stormed past him and into the lead into the first corner. A group quickly formed, consisting of Cluzel, Elias, Fimmco Speed Up's Andrea Iannone, Marc VDS Racing's Scott Redding and Technomag's Shoya Tomizawa, and it was Iannone who quickly took charge. 

Iannone's lead was not to last long, however. The Italian was penalized for a jump start, and was called in for a ride-through penalty. Rejoining at the back of the field, Iannone fought his way forward to 15th place, before a mechanical issue forced him to retire. Scoring no points, Iannone has little hope of catching Elias again.

The battle for the lead took just 7 laps to settle, with Elias, Cluzel, Tomizawa and Redding all taking turns at the front. Once Elias seized control, the race was over, however, and the Spaniard headed off into the distance, going on to take victory unchallenged. 2nd and 3rd also looked settled, with Simone Corsi comfortably ahead of Julian Simon. But Corsi was slowing drastically and slid back through the field, handing Simon 2nd, and the chasing Tom Luthi an unchallenged 3rd.

The race was marred by a horrific crash involving Shoya Tomizawa, Alex de Angelis and Scott Redding. Tomizawa lost the rear at the fast Curvone corner, falling in front of De Angelis and Redding. Tomizawa was struck by both men following him, and spun like a rag doll on the track. De Angelis walked away relatively unhurt, while Scott Redding was taken to the medical center for further examination to his legs. Tomizawa's injuries were so severe that he was flown to the local Cesena Hospital for emergency treatment. Tomizawa is believed to be in a coma. More news as and when it is released.

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