The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship was back in action at the Tissot Aragon circuit on Sunday afternoon for the second Race of the weekend, and it was the 21-year-old Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki) who took first place by a fine margin of 0.006s to Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) in second and Pepe Osuna (DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) claiming third.
RACE RED FLAGGED: Gaggi and Pratama crash
A collision between Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) and Indonesian rider Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) resulted in the race being red flagged after just 2 laps were completed. Pratama was attended to by medical professionals trackside before being transported to Hospital for further assessments by helicopter. With a 7-lap race restart, and the original grid positions being resumed, it was #1 rider Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) who took the lead into Turn 1 ahead off Brazilian Gustavo Manso (Yamaha AD78 FIM LA by MS Racing) and Pepe Osuna(DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team).
7-LAP DASH: Seven abreast, Iglesias penalised
With just six laps remaining of Race 2, it was seven riders abreast going into turn 1 with current Championship leader Mahendra well within the fight, battling Carter Thompson (Fusport-RT Motorsport by SKM-Kawasaki) and Buis for rostrum results. A brief spell at the front of the field for Yamaha’s Matteo Vannucci (Pata Yamaha AG Motorsport Italia) after an impressive overtake was short lived as Mahendra fought his way back to the front. Race 1 winner Inigo Iglesias Bravo (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) fell out of the top 6 contention as he was penalised with a double long lap penalty for irresponsible riding close to the pit wall on the home straight.
LITTLE TO SEPARATE THE TOP THREE: a photo finish
With the top three riders crossing the line at the final flag, it was Julio García (KOVE Racing Team) and Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) who took fourth and fifth, with Gustavo Manso (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing) riding to an impressive top 6 result.
MAHENDRA OUT IN FRONT: #7 and #58 chasing championship leader
With just two rounds remaining in the WorldSSP300 Championship battle, Mahendra claims some vital title points as he leads with 195 points to Veneman and Iglesias.
The top six from WorldSSP300 Race 1, full results here:
1. Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki)
2. Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) +0.006s
3. Pepe Osuna (DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) +0.085s
4. Julio García (KOVE Racing Team) +0.131s
5. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.159s
6. Gustavo Manso (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing) +0.191s
Fastest lap: Phillip Tonn, KTM – 2’05.823s
Championship standings:
1. Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) 195 points
2. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) 179
3. Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) 163
4. Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki) 131
5. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) 126
6. Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) 111
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Source: WorldSBK.com