WorldSSP: A thrilling Supersport race was settled in Valentin Debise’s favour as the EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory rider claimed a double victory from the Czech Round.
With three different manufacturers on the podium it was a closely fought race with Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) claiming his fifth consecutive podium. The Turkish rider is still chasing his first win of the season, even though he had led a total of 43 laps this season, and was just 0.056s adrift of Debise at the end of the race as he attacked for the race win at the final corner.
Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) delivered his second podium of the campaign for Triumph. As the final lap started his teammate Tom Booth-Amos crashed out of third position with Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) following him into the Turn 1 gravel trap in sympathy as both missed out on claiming a podium finish.
Consistency has been the key for Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) this season. The rookie had finished every race inside the top five but contact with his rival Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) at Turn 20 led to Arenas crashing out at the fast right hander. Masia was later handed a long lap penalty for causing an accident. When he resumed the action the Spaniard attacked to get back to the leaders before crashing himself at Turn 13.
Championship Highlights
- Arenas’ non-score ensured that the title fight had closed up. Following his perfect weekend Debise is now second in the standings and just 19 points behind the championship leader. Oncu is now 38 points adrift in fourth position but just two points behind Masia.
- Yamaha holds a 16 point lead in the Manufacturer Standings from Ducati while ZXMoto are 46 points behind the leader.
P1 – Valentin Debise (EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory)
“I expected more riders to be in the fight like in Race 2. In the end it was mainly Can and Mahias with me at the front. Can was very strong today. We were a small group and I felt comfortable leading the race. I also felt a bit stronger in some areas so I tried a few times to pull away but it wasn’t possible. I really enjoyed the battle with Can and of course it’s positive to be closer in the championship standings but we are still in a new project so we need to keep working and understand if we can continue at this level until the end of the season.”
Race 2 Results
1. Valentin Debise (EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory)
2. Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.056s
3. Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +2.095s
4. Aldi Mahendra (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) +2.835s
5. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) +2.855s
6. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +5.940s
Championship Standings
1. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) 166 points
2. Valentin Debise (EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory) 147
3. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) 130
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