The FIM Supersport World Championship returned to track at the Prosecco DOC UK Round for a thrilling Race 1, with Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) looking impeccable at Donington Park after taking the lead early on and charging to victory to take his 5th win.
DELIGHT FOR HUERTAS: The Spaniard took a third consecutive win
It was a phenomenal WorldSSP Race 1, with Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) leading early, before being quickly attacked by Huertas. Once the #99 entered the lead he did not look back, extending his win margin to 4.679s at the chequered flag. Montella would lose second in the closing stages with Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing’s Stefano Manzi finishing in second position, a mere 0.188s ahead of Montella.
THE START: Montella launches strong as Huertas attacks
The lights went out and it was an impressive start from Montella with spots of rain in the air as polesitter, Huertas charged hard behind on the opening lap. Huertas did not take long to steal the lead, launching his attack on Lap 2 at Redgate and would go on to set the fastest lap of Race 1. Meanwhile, Manzi had a solid start, maintaining third and began to set his sights on Montella.
There would be drama for home hero, Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph), who would receive a Long Lap penalty for taking a shortcut and not losing one second. The #69 was in an intense fight for the final spot in the top five between Orelac Racing Verdnatura’s Jorge Navarro and Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse). Meanwhile, at the front, Huertas soon extended his lead to over five seconds – setting a consistent 1’29 pace.
THE PODIUM BATTLE: Manzi pipped Montella in the closing stages
With two laps remaining the #62 of Manzi snatched second from Montella, as all eyes turned to the final lap. Montella looked for an opportunity at every corner on the last lap but would not be able to find a gap in the Italian’s armour, settling for third and allowing Manzi to secure P2. Further back, there was late drama for Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), who crashed at the final corner on the last lap after contact with the #64. Motozoo ME AIR Racing’s Federico Caricasulo was given a five-position penalty for the incident – dropping the Italian down to P16.
REST OF THE FIELD: Navarro fends off Debise
Navarro took fourth at the line after a great battle in the closing stages with Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team), who rounded out the top five. Meanwhile, after starting from the third row, Sofuoglu took sixth place at the line after an impressive ride to finish ahead of Booth-Amos, who recovered to seventh after his penalty. D34G Racing WorldSSP Team’s Oli Bayliss was eighth at the line and finished ahead of Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team), who was dropped one position to ninth after the #66 exceeded track limits on the final lap. Meanwhile, the final spot inside the top 10 went the way of Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha), who was less than 20 seconds adrift from victory.
The top six from WorldSSP Race 1, full results here:
1. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team)
2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) +4.679s
3. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +4.867s
4. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +6.392s
5. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +6.630s
6. Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +12.120s
Fastest lap: Adrian Huertas (Ducati) – 1’28.861s – new race lap record
You don’t want to miss WorldSSP Race 2 on Sunday at 15:15 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Source: WorldSBK.com