WorldSSP: Having started from the third row of the grid Simon Jespersen (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) spent the race fighting at the front.
The Danish rider took the lead on Lap 1 and wasn’t overawed by the prospect of fighting for a race win against Stefano Manzi. The battle was finally settled in the final two laps with Manzi opening up a margin of almost two seconds. Jespersen delivered Denmark their first podium finish since Robbin Harms at Phillip Island in 2008
Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) spent the race in the podium positions and took the lead from Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) with 11 laps remaining. With Oncu struggling in the final third of the race Manzi and Jespersen fought out for the race win
Oncu ended the race as the third rider on the podium. He enjoyed a race-long battle with Oliver Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) that was only settled on the final lap when there was contact between the pair at Turn 5 as they scrapped it out for the 16 points. Bayliss claimed the best finish of his WorldSSP career
Having started from last on the grid Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) was into the points positions by Lap 3 and the top ten by Lap 8. He would finish the 18 lap distance in sixth position
Championship Highlights
- Manzi extends his lead over Oncu by nine points to 59
- Jaume Masia moves into third in the standings for the first time this season
- Yamaha now holds a 140 point lead over Ducati with Triumph third in the standings
P1 – Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
“I had a strong start from pole position but I was passed by Jespersen on the first lap and dropped to P3. I chose the harder rear tyre so I wanted to see how things developed early on. After five or six laps I felt the pace wasn’t super strong so I moved into the lead. I wanted to set my own rhythm because I knew it was a good one. Unfortunately, at Turn 2 I hit a neutral and made a mistake and he managed to close the gap. From that moment, it was impossible to shake him off. He rode a really strong race. I’m super happy to win again today because it’s a great way to start the summer break!”
Race 2 Results
1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
2. Simon Jespersen (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) +1.953s
3. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +4.064s
4. Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +4.481s
5. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) +6.335s
6. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +8.347s
Championship Standings
1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 294 points
2. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 235
3. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 191
For more info checkout our dedicated WorldSBK (World Superbike) News page superbike-news.co.uk/category/world-superbikes/
Or visit the official World Superbike website worldsbk.com
©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of WorldSBK.com
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