The Donington Park circuit in the UK has today hosted the second day of action making up round five of the Superbike World Championship.
Yesterday saw Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider Lucas Mahias take part in the first practice sessions. The Frenchman placed eleventh at the end of the day with a best of 1’28”482. This morning, he was back out for the third and final practice, during which he worked hard with his team to identify the best possible set-up for his Ninja, in preparation for the subsequent Superpole and Race 1. With a time of 1’28”515, Mahias finished fifteenth in the combined standings.
Superpole ran in the last morning, establishing the grid positions for Race 1 and tomorrow’s Superpole race. Lucas was again able to significantly improve on his best time, setting a 1’27”390 to place eleventh. With this result, he lined up on row four of the grid for the afternoon’s 23-lap race.
As the race got underway, the Frenchman didn’t make the fastest start and was lying fifteenth through the opening stages. As the race went on, Mahias got into a good rhythm and climbed back up through the field to finish twelfth. A good result particularly considering that the French rider hadn’t raced for over two months.
Tomorrow Mahias will compete in the Superpole Race and the second Superbike race.
Donington Park – Castle Donington – UK – Superbike World Championship
Combined free practice results: 1) Gerloff (Yamaha) – 2) Rea (Kawasaki) – 3) Baz (BMW) – 4) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 5) Lowes (Kawasaki) ……. 15) Mahias (Kawasaki)
Superpole: 1) Rea (Kawasaki) – 2) Lowes (Kawasaki) – 3) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 3) Redding (BMW) – 5) Bautista (Ducati) – 6) Rinaldi (Ducati) …………11) Mahias (Kawasaki)
Race 1: 1) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 2) Rea (Kawasaki) – 3) Lowes (Kawasaki) – 4) Redding (BMW) – 5) Bassani (Ducati) – 6) Rinaldi (Ducati) ……. 12) Mahias (Kawasaki)
Lucas Mahias
“Superpole went well and I was pleased with my position considering that I’m just coming back after two months away from my Ninja. But I’m not totally satisfied with how the race went. I didn’t make a very good start and then lost time trying to pass rivals immediately ahead of me. I then picked up the pace and gave it all I had. I don’t think I can do more right now. Thanks to the team for all their help.”
