The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship returned for a thrilling Race 2 at the Autodrom Most, which resulted in a dramatic final lap. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) has completed the double at the Czech Round, securing his third win after a drag race to decide the win on the final lap.
It was a race full of drama with Veneman securing victory, repeating his success from Saturday. The Dutchman secured Kawasaki’s 62nd win after winning ahead of Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsport by SKM-Kawasaki), as the #58 was demoted one position for irresponsible riding on the main straight on the final lap. The Spaniard still claimed his ninth podium as he finished in front of Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse), who was behind in third, after a magnificent ride where the #57 charged from the back of the field after pre-race issues.
DRAMA FROM THE START: Gennai leads
There was drama before the start of Race 2 for Mahendra, who was forced to start from the back of the grid after a tyre pressure infringement. Once the lights went out it was a fantastic launch from Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki), allowing the Italian to take the lead ahead of Iglesias on the opening lap. The fastest lap and the lead would change hands multiple times in the opening stages.
Mahendra soon entered the top five positions, carving through the WorldSSP300 field after starting at the back of the field. Iglesias was forced to drop one position for overtaking under yellow flags as Jeffery Buis (Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing), Carter Thompson (Fusport-RT Motorsport by SKM-Kawasaki), Matteo Vannucci (Pata Yamaha AG Motorsport Italia) and Gennai were all involved in a crash at Turn 1 with four laps to go.
PHOTO FINISH: Veneman takes glory
Race 2 would go down to the final lap with a two-way duel for victory between Iglesias and Veneman, who was aiming to do the double. The lead changed hands on the final lap with Iglesias leading in the final sector. It was a tense drag race to the line with the #7 taking victory by 0.009s after Iglesias crossed the line in P1 but was later demoted one position for irresponsible riding.
TOP 10: Ieraci misses out on a podium
Missing out on a podium finish at Most was Bruno Ieraci (Team ProDina Kawasaki), finishing just 0.038s behind Mahendra. Meanwhile, David Salvador (MS Racing) rounded out the top five in a career-best finishing, beating Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) to the flag. Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) took sixth, finishing ahead of Julio Garcia (KOVE Racing Team), who took P7 and finished as the top KOVE rider. Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) took eighth as Pepe Osuna (DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) claimed ninth position after a brilliant ride. The #77 was ahead of Elia Bartolini (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 Team), who rounded out the top 10.
FINAL POINTS: Di Sora takes P15
Ruben Bijman (Team Flembbo-PL Performances) was 11th ahead of Marc Garcia (KOVE Racing Team in 12th at the end of Race 2. Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 Team’s Emiliano Ercolani took 13th position as Humberto Maier (MS Racing) and Samuel Di Sora (ARCO SASH MotoR University Team) took the final point-scoring positions. There was a handful of other dramas throughout Race 2 including Yamaha AD78 FIM LA by MS Racing’s Gustavo Manso and Kevin Fontainha crashing at Turn 20.
The top six from WorldSSP300 Race 2, full results here:
1. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki)
2. Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) +0.009s
3. Aldi Satya Mahendra (Team BrCorse) +2.479s
4. Bruno Ieraci (Team ProDina Kawasaki) +2.517s
5. David Salvador (MS Racing) +2.533s
6. Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) +2.555s
Fastest Lap: David Salvador, Yamaha – 1’45.922s
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Source: WorldSBK.com