The second and closing race of the French Grand Prix for the 2022 FIM Enel MotoE World Cup provided the plenty of fans who came to Le Mans with an unrivalled show, with the podium battle going right down to the wire. Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt IntactGP) put together the perfect race to prevail over race one winner Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40), while Niccolò Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE) pipped Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta Sic48 Squadracorse) at the chequered flag by a mere 0.008secs.
Aegerter rode the Energica Ego Corsa like no other today, with a specific ‘signature’ manoeuvre by lining up on the outside of his opponent at turn two before executing a perfect pass at the following chicane (turns 2 and 3). He did it three times in eight laps and was always successful: first on Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE), then on Zannoni and, finally, on the then-leader Casadei on the final lap, after a long chase.
Despite being his third year in the series, this is Canepa’s maiden MotoE podium, which came at the end of a valiant effort for the experience rider, who fought hard first with Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) – with the two exchanging positions numerous times, and then with Zannoni at the last corner and up to the finish line.
With today’s fifth place, Granado is replaced by Aegerter at the top of the standings, with today’s winner now leading the title race with an eight-point advantage over his Brazilian opponent. After running as high as third, Okubo finished the race in sixth position ahead of Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE), Hector Garzó (Tech 3 E-Racing) and Marc Alcoba (OpenBank Aspar Team), with Miquél Pons rounding out the top ten.
Current MotoE title holder Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) had to sit out the race following his left-fibula injury in race one.
Energica and MotoE will next make their debut at the Mugello International Circuit on May 27-29.