Brad Binder won a three-way battle for his maiden Moto2 victory at the Sachsenring as the title battle took another twist. The South African saw off Joan Mir and Luca Marini, both themselves chasing their maiden win, while KTM team-mate Miguel Oliveira closed the gap on series leader Francesco Bagnaia who endured a luckless afternoon.
The championship leader was well placed to add to his four victories so far in 2018, running third on the second lap, until a crash for polesitter Mattia Pasini at the final corner. Bagnaia was forced to run through the gravel as he took avoiding action and fell all the way back to 26th. Although he rode admirably to salvage four points for twelfth, his championship lead would shrink dramatically.
Marini was deprived of the lead by Mir on lap five but both would fall prey to the inspired Binder who stormed past both on lap eleven. Although his pursuers were able to keep pace with the KTM, Brad rode wheel-perfect on his way to a first intermediate class victory. The MotoGP-bound Mir held off Marini on the drag race to the finish line to claim second, both taking their career best Moto2 results.
Oliveira salvaged fourth from 15th on the grid while Sam Lowes ensured three KTMs would make up the top five, pipping home favourite Marcel Schrotter. Xavi Vierge finished seventh ahead of Simone Corsi and Fabio Quartararo while Jorge Navarro completed the top ten.
Moto2 Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland (Result)
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