Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) remains in FIM Supersport World Championship title contention after a mixed Tissot Aragon Round. The Italian rider was fourth in Race 1 but claimed victory in Race 2 to narrow the gap in the Championship standings across the whole round to 41 points, keeping him in contention as the paddock prepares to move to Estoril next week for what could be a title-deciding round.
Montella took fourth in Friday’s Tissot Superpole session, lapping two tenths away from polesitter and title rival Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team). Huertas utilised his pole to full advantage as he broke away from the field to win, while Montella was stuck in a podium fight. He was battling Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) and Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) for the podium, but a mistake at Turn 5 potentially cost him a rostrum.
In Race 2, Montella started from P3 after the fastest laps from Race 1 set the top nine positions on the grid. Using the front row start as a base for victory, Montella took the win although he had to work hard for it after incredible fights with Manzi and Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura). He took the lead on Lap 8 and didn’t look back, going on to beat Manzi by two seconds for victory and take a big chunk out of Huertas’ points lead, with the gap down to 41 points.
Discussing Race 2, Montella said: “It was a perfect way to end the round after Saturday, when we lost the podium fighting with Manzi and Debise. On Sunday, I was just focused on getting to the front and making my pace because I think it was the choice and opportunity for us. It was a crazy start to the first lap. I was focused on coming back little by little with my pace and pushing until the end.”
The title could be wrapped up by Huertas at Estoril if he outscores the #55 by nine points and Manzi by four. However, it is still game on with 100 points available across the final two rounds of the season and Montella, when speaking after Race 2, explained how his aim is to take it to the final race at Jerez. In order to do this, he will need to be within 50 points of Huertas after Estoril and within 25 after Race 1 at the season finale.
Speaking about his title fight strategy, Montella stated: “My approach will be like Sunday! I’ll fight from the beginning to the end. My goal is to arrive at Jerez, in the last race, fighting for the Championship. Then, the best one wins. We’ll see. It’s not easy because we just need to be focused on the setting of the bike and try to find the right way from the beginning. Estoril is a good track for me, I like it and also Jerez. It will be a fun end to the Championship.”
Can Montella take the fight to Jerez? Find out at Estoril using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now €9.99!
Source: WorldSBK.com