The FIM Supersport World Championship provided exciting action for Race 2 at the Pirelli Portuguese Round after Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) claimed top honours after a sensational ride from the Italian, which saw him secure a fifth victory. The #55 was flawless, taking a 15th podium in the process as title rival Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) only scored four points in Race 2 at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.
DOUBLE VICTORY: Montella wins as Debise completes the podium
It was a massive race in terms of the Championship, with Montella claiming victory over Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), who finished 5.897s behind as the #62 took another podium finish. Manzi had another strong result on the Yamaha, with the Japanese manufacturer claiming their 250th podium as Manzi crossed the line ahead of Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) in third.
BATTLE BEGINS: Montella vs Huertas
Montella made a carbon copy start in Race 2, launching to the lead in the opening stages. However, the Italian did not have it easy as he was chased by Huertas, who was aiming for redemption on Sunday at Portimao. The leading duo were locked together on track, with further action beginning as Huertas took the lead with 11 laps to go. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) made a strong start to Race 2, riding hard in third before everything unfolded for the #9, crashing at Turn 5 with 10 laps remaining.
The drama did not stop there as Huertas became the next faller at Turn 5, crashing one lap later out of the lead. With damage to his Ducati, the #99 quickly dropped outside of the points with work to do as Montella now had a strong advantage in the lead. Once everything began to settle it allowed Manzi and Debise to enter the podium places, in a strong ride from the Yamaha riders.
FINAL FIGHT: Top five undecided
On the final lap, Montella had over seven seconds of an advantage with one hand on the victory. Meanwhile, there was a huge battle for fifth position as Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) continued to defend from Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing). However, once the flag came out there was nobody able to match Montella, reigning supreme and beating Manzi and Debise.
RECOVERY RIDE: Huertas take P12
Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) was fourth and crossed the line to take the honours as the top MV Agusta rider. Meanwhile, Mahias held onto fifth place as van Straalen was forced to settle for sixth position. However, there was movement behind as Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was promoted to seventh after Marcel Schrotter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was demoted one position due to irresponsible riding. The #23 was placed ahead of John McPhee (WRP by SKM-Triumph) in the results, after a strong ride for the #17 to finish ahead of Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) – rounding out the top 10.
Further back, Huertas charged to 12th, with the Spaniard’s Championship lead down to just 20 points. There was further drama throughout Race 2 with Lorenzo Baldassarri (WRP by SKM-Triumph) crashing at Turn 3. The Italian was forced to retire and was later found to have suffered a right distal radius displaced fracture. Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) and Kaito Toba (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) also had falls of their own, bringing a disappointing end to the weekend.
The top six from WorldSSP Race 2, full results here:
1. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team)
2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) +5.897s
3. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +9.487s
4. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +12.436s
5. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +19.187s
6. Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +19.912s
Fastest lap: Adrian Huertas (Ducati) – 1’43.578s
Championship standings
1. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 260 points
2. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) 240
3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) 219
4. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) 156
5. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 142
6. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 120
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Source: WorldSBK.com