The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship was wrapped up at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto as Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) became Indonesia’s first World Champion with sixth place in Race 2, as Julio Garcia (KOVE Racing Team) took Kove’s first victory on the world stage. The Prometeon Spanish Round hosted the final race of the season as history was made in the lightweight class at the season finale.
HOW THE TITLE WAS WON: Mahendra finishes just behind Veneman
Mahendra needed just four points to secure the title in Race 2, and the Indonesian ensured he was in the lead group throughout the 11-lap race. It was unpredictable as ever to end the year as title rival Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) finished one place ahead of the #57, but with the Dutchman needing to win and results to go his way, the title heads to Indonesia in the hands of Mahendra with his P6 finish.
THE RACE WIN: Kove make history
There was also history for race winner Julio Garcia as his last-lap move gave him the advantage ahead of Antonio Torres (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) on the run down to the chequered flag. The #48 was able to resist the replacement rider’s pressure on the long run to the finish line to take his first victory in WorldSSP300, and the first for Chinese manufacturer Kove in the class in their second season. The podium was completed by Torres in second and the other Kove rider, Marc Garcia, as the Chinese brand put two bikes on the podium.
IN THE TOP TEN: ending 2024 on a high
Race 1 winner David Salvador (MS Racing) came home in fourth as he capped off a strong weekend by just missing out on a rostrum, although he did complete Spain’s first 1-2-3-4 since Magny-Cours in 2018. The two title contenders, Veneman and Mahendra, finished in fifth and sixth with Pepe Osuna (DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) in seventh. The Spaniard had crossed the line in eighth but a one-place penalty for Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) for causing a collision at Turn 12 with Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki) promoted Osuna into P7. Gennai was taken to the medical centre for a check up and diagnosed with a right hand contusion and left shoulder contusion. Pratama was classified in eighth ahead of Gonzalo Sanchez (Arco Sash Motor University Team) and Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing who completed the top ten. Double Champion Buis had to take a double Long Lap Penalty for a jump start, but still secured a top-ten finish.
TAKING POINTS: close to a top ten
Emiliano Ercolani (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 Team) was just 0.035s away from a place in the top ten as he led home a trio of Italian riders. Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) was 12th, a tenth behind Ercolani, while Elia Bartolini (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 Team) was 13th. Philipp Tonn secured 14th and Humberto Maier (MS Racing) completed the points-paying positions.
The top six from WorldSSP300 Race 2, full results here:
1 Julio Garcia (KOVE Racing Team)
2. Antonio Torres (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.028s
3. Marc Garcia (KOVE Racing Team) +0.230s
4. David Salvador (MS Racing) +0.342s
5. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.538s
6. Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) +0.545s
Fastest lap: Gonzalo Sanchez (Yamaha) – 1’51.713s, new lap record
Championship standings
1 Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) 221 points
2. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) 200
3. Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) 163
4. Julio Garcia (KOVE Racing Team) 152
5. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing) 132
6. Marc Garcia (KOVE Racing Team) 132
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Source: WorldSBK.com