FIM Supersport World Championship
Motorland Aragon
Alcaniz, Spain
April 2, 2017
Race Results (All on Pirelli tires):
1. Lucas Mahias, France (Yam YZF-R6), 16 laps, Total Race Time 31:05.708, Best Lap Time 1:55.873
2. Sheridan Morais, South Africa (Yam YZF-R6), -0.014 second, 1:55.926
3. PJ Jacobsen, USA (MV Agusta F3 675), -0.153, 1:55.645
4. Jules Cluzel, France (Hon CBR600RR), -4.598, 1:56.210
5. Michael Canducci, Italy (Kaw ZX-6R), -4.320, 1:55.609
6. Roberto Rolfo, Italy (MV Agusta F3 675), -4.424, 1:55.922
7. Christian Gamarino, Italy (Hon CBR600RR), -9.407, 1:56.228
8. Kyle Ryde, UK (Kaw ZX-6R), -17.064, 1:56.462
9. Hannes Soomer, Estonia (Hon CBR600RR), -23.098, 1:57.052
10. Luke Stapleford, UK (Tri Daytona 675R, -26.140, 1:57.170
27. Federico Caricasulo, Italy (Yam YZF-R6), -9 laps, 1:55.891, DNF, crash
28. Kenan Sofuoglu, Turkey (Kaw ZX-6R), -9 laps, 1:55.009, DNF, crash
World Championship Point Standings (After 3 of 12 races):
1. Mahias, 45 points
2. Rolfo, 40
3. Morais, 34
4. Ryde, 32
5. Niki Tuuli, 27
6. Jacobsen, 26
7. Caricasulo, 25
8. Decha Kraisart, 20
9. Aiden Wagner, 17
10. TIE, Anthony West/Kazuki Watanabe, 16
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WSBK Press Office:
WorldSSP: Superb victory for Mahias in dramatic Aragon race
Frenchman takes maximum points in drama-filled race at Pirelli Aragón Round, with Morais and Jacobsen also on podium
Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) was the victor in an action-packed WorldSSP race at the Pirelli Aragón Round, with Sheridan Morais (Kallio Racing) and PJ Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) joining the French rider on the podium.
With several front-running riders crashing out over the course of the race Mahias, Morais and Jacobsen were left to fight for the victory. Mahias got the better of South Africa’s Morais on the final corner to win by just +0.014s.
Jacobsen was in the hunt for second in the final stages but the American finished a tenth of a second behind the leading two. The win for Mahias sees him take over at the head of the standings after three rounds.
Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) crossed the line three seconds behind the podium finishers in fourth place, with close behind him Michael Canducci (Puccetti Racing Junior Team FMI) in fifth.
Robin Mulhauser (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) crashed alone on the first lap at turn 7, Niki Tuuli (Kallio Racing) crashed at turn 9 on lap 5, with Kyle Smith (GEMAR Team Lorini) then going down at turn 14 on lap 7 having run at the front in the early stages.
Then there was more drama at the start of lap eight as Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) was flipped over his bike and Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was unable to avoid colliding with Caricasulo’s Yamaha.
Returning World Champion Sofuoglu, who missed the opening two rounds with a hand injury, was taken to the medical centre for check-ups, as was Caricasulo.
The top ten was completed by Roberto Rolfo (Team Factory Vamag), Christian Gamarino (BARDAHL EVAN BROS. Honda Racing), Kyle Ryde (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Hannes Soomer (WILSport Racedays) and Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing).
Estonian rider Soomer’s ninth place result made him the top FIM Europe Supersport Cup finisher, followed by Rob Hartog (Team Hartog – Jenik – Against Cancer) in 12th and Péter Sebestyén (Team SSP Hungary by Pedercini Racing) in 19th.
There were DNFs for Gino Rea (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) and Alessandro Zaccone (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), the Englishman stopping midrace and the Italian retiring in the opening stages.
The WorldSSP riders will return to action at the Acerbis Dutch Round over the 28th-30th April weekend.
Race winner: Lucas Mahias – GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team
“It was pretty crazy but I was fighting a lot. I had a good strategy, in the beginning it was to follow all the riders and with a lot of wind it was tricky with the race. I am very happy as in the race I was fast in the last corner and Sheridan doesn’t have a lot of confidence in the corner, and the win is good for me and for the team.”
More, from a press release issued by MV Agusta:
JACOBSEN TAKES THE FIRST PODIUM IN 2017 FOR MV AGUSTA
Camier comeback 5 positions and closes 10th in WorldSBK Race2. With the 3rd place in WorldSSP Race PJ Jacobsen get the first podium of the season to the Team MV Agusta Reparto Corse; in the same race Alessandro Zaccone has been forced to retire at the first lap due to a problem with the clutch.
WorldSBK – Race2
Strong wind gusts and clear skies welcomed Race2 of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. Leon Camier – started from the 15th position on the grid, because of a difficult qualifying sessions – gave as always a hard battle, coming back from the 15th position and closing 10th, setting his best lap time during the last lap. Currently, Camier remains firmly 9th in the championship standings while MV Agusta goes to the 4th place in manufacturer standing.
WorldSSP – Race
PJ Jacobsen lost five positions after the first corner of the race, but the rider from Montgomery (NY) didn’t lose heart and remained attached to the lead group, until he began a battle into the top three area along with his rivals Lucas Mahias and Sheridan Morais. At the end of the 16 laps, Jacobsen ended up in 3rd place, 0,15s from the winner, getting the Team MV Agusta Reparto Corse the first podium of the season.
His teammate Alessandro Zaccone was definitely unlucky, as he was forced to retire from the race on the first lap because of a clutch problem on his MV Agusta F3 675 machine.
Leon Camier #2 WorldSBK – I rode the best I could and I felt we have made some good improvement with the chassis again but I was on the limits and there was nothing I could do. We also had some little problem in a couple of areas of the track but this is the result of not having the full weekend to set the bike. All in all we did a good job and even if this result is not so special we will do better in Assen.
Patrick “PJ” Jacobsen #99 WorldSSP -I am quite happy with the result today, as a trouble with the chattering kept me from fighting for the first place. It’s a pleasure to get MV Agusta Reparto Corse their first podium this season, because they work so hard and we all deserve this result. Thanks to my team for the job we have done today and looking forward to an even better result in Assen.
Alessandro Zaccone #61 ESS – I am very disappointed because I could have done a good race and I would have definitely fight for the victory within my ESS class. Of course I will not be breaking down, these things happen and the next race we will return to the attack.
More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Ryde Scores Well As Sofuoglu Gets Forced Out
Kyle Ryde secured eighth place after a dramatic 16-lap WorldSSP race at Motorland Aragon and is ranked fourth in the championship points as a result. Reigning FIM Supersport World Championship Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was taken out of the race on lap eight after another rider highsided in front of him. He escaped any significant injury.
Kyle Ryde, who had opted for the soft front race tyre, was riding on his own behind the leading group at half race distance and ended up on his own at the end of 16-laps, six seconds ahead of the next nearest rider. He scored points for the third race in succession.
Sofuoglu was in fourth position early in the race, leading the second group, before easing his pace to wait for the last few laps to make his final plan. Another rider highsided in front of him, however, and Kenan was collected by the prone machine, getting roughly dumped onto the asphalt. Despite hurting his back Kenan did not re-injure his right thumb and he will be ready for the next round.
Kyle is fourth in the championship after three rounds, still the leading Kawasaki rider. Kenan has yet to score after missing the first two rounds through injury.
The next round takes place at Assen in the Netherlands, with raceday on Sunday April 30th.
Kenan Sofuoglu, stated: “It is a long time off the bike for me and right now, back in racing, I cannot say I was confident to pull a gap on everybody. I decided to follow some riders but when I saw that they all thought they were on the last lap, last corner – even at the beginning of the race – I let four or five people go into the lead. It was a long race so I was saving my tyre and riding in the right way. Then even more slow riders started attacking me so I moved a little bit closer to the front group. But, one of these riders made a mistake and took me out of the race. To finish up like that hurts because this is not something we deserved. I am sad for my team but I had a lot of practice this weekend and got some confidence back. My thumb is no problem. I hurt my back, and it still hurts now, but nothing is broken.”
Kyle Ryde, stated: “It was a good race to go from 18th to eighth. I had an issue with the front but after half race distance I was only three seconds from the first. It was positive. I was lucky three or four riders fell but I have to keep finishing the races as well. I am still fourth in the championship too. We have to make the Friday of the next race better so I can get into Superpole two and have a better race result.”
Michael Canducci (Puccetti Racing Junior Team FMI Kawasaki) was the top Kawasaki finisher, fifth today, while Rob Hartog (Team Hartog Jenik Against Cancer Kawasaki) was 12th, scoring good points. Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) and Kazuki Watanabe (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) finished 14th and 15th respectively at Motorland.
At his home round Nacho Calero (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) was 18th, Peter Sebestyen (SSP Hungary by Pedercini Racing) was 19th and Lachlan Epis (Response RE Racing Kawasaki) 20th. Gino Rea (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) was unable to finish the race. One-off Aragon rider Nasser Al Malki (Qatar National Team Kawasaki) placed 25th.
More, from a press release issued by Kallio Racing:
Another podium finish for Kallio Racing Team
3rd round. World Supersport 2017 –Aragon, Spain
Race report
It was a solid day of racing for Kallio Racing Team as Sheridan Morais finished on the podium in the World Supersport class in Aragon, Spain. Niki Tuuli crashed out of the race.
Sheridan Morais got off to a great start with his Yamaha YZF R6 machine. He was trying to pull away, but the race was way too tight for that. Riders were hunting each other throughout the race and they continued fighting till the checkered flag. Morais held strong to finish second.
“It was a great race and I’m happy to give my team another podium after Niki’s great podium in Thailand. I’m looking forward to the next races where we know we can fight for the win. The race was pretty good. I tried to put my head down at the lead and I pushed to break away, but obviously, it’s really difficult in this category. In the end, we were close to win, but I’m happy with the second place and I want to say thank you for my team for that”, Sheridan said.
Niki Tuuli’s race started well and he was making his way through the pack on the opening lap. Tuuli reached the top three, but unfortunately crashed on turn nine.
“We had a great setup for the bike and riding felt so smooth and easy. I made some good passes and reached the other riders, but then I went way too close to the rider in front of me and fell down braking too hard. I feel bad for the team, because they did amazing job with the setups and everything. In Assen I will be stronger and fight for the win”, Tuuli said.
Team Manager Vesa Kallio was really happy for Morais’s second place and the team effort.
“It was great to get the podium again. Morais rode good and Tuuli had some bad luck, but it’s nice to see that we can fight for the win with both riders. Yamaha YZF R6 machines are working well and we have found a good setup. The whole team is working hard and I’m looking forward to next race in Assen”, Kallio said.
In World Supersport 300 class Kallio Racing had bad luck when both riders Kimi Patova and Renzo Ferreira fell out of the race.
“The race wasn’t too good for me, but we have to learn from this and be in good shape in Assen. This was the first race and next one will be easier”, Ferreira said.
After a crash, Kimi Patova still found some positive things about the weekend.
“Weekend started well and we found good things on the track. In the race I got a good start and I was able to ride with good speed, but then someone hit me and the race was over. It was a pity, but in the Assen I will be stronger”, Patova said.