Perfect track conditions greeted the FIM Supersport World Championship Race 1 on Saturday afternoon, as Championship leader Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) claimed yet another dominant first place victory as he increased his lead to Championship rivals Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) and Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team).
TWO PERFECT DAYS: Can Huertas make it three?
After claiming the Tissot Superpole Award on Friday following four consecutive pole positions, the 21-year-old Spaniard will be looking to make it three out of three first place results with Sunday’s Race 2. The 15-lap race at the Aragon round showcased an exciting battle for the podium positions, with Montella and Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) strong at lights out and dualling for second place.
MONTELLA LOSES POSITIONS: #55 struggles with late race pace
Despite his strong start in the race, Montella appeared to struggle with his late race pace, with the Yamahas proving to be the more dominate bike on the track. He missed out on a podium result, as Debise crossed the line over six tenths quicker just behind Manzi who secure a confident second place at the Spanish Circuit.
Coming in over the chequered line in fifth was Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) and Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) who rounded off the top 6 finishers at the Spanish round. #9 Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) rode a strong race to finish seventh ahead of Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) and Dutchman Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) in eighth and ninth, whilst Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) rounded of the Race 1 top 10 riders.
CAN ANYONE STOP HUERTAS? Ducati rider consistent results
#99 Ducati rider rode home to win his 10th victory of the 2024 season at Aragon, whilst Manzi gives Yamaha their 400th podium placement as they become the first manufacturer to reach this milestone. The new Aragon track surface didn’t seem to phase Huertas who now extends his strong Championship lead. Italian riders Yari Montella and Stefano Manzi are chasing down the seemingly unstoppable Spaniard, who are now equal on points after Race 1, with 304 points, whilst #99 remains at the top with 359 points.
The top six from WorldSSP Race 1, full results here:
1. Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team)
2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +1.929s
3. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +2.062s
4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +2.706s
5. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +7.332s
6. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +9.384s
Don’t miss the WorldSSP Tissot Aragon Race 2 at 15:15 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – Just €9.99
Source: WorldSBK.com