The second race making up the ninth Supersport World Championship round played out today at the Autodromo do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal. Yesterday saw Kawasaki Puccetti Racing riders Can Oncu and Yari Montella compete in Superpole and Race 1. In qualifying, Montella scored tenth place and Oncu fourteenth, which made for a fourth and fifth row start on the grid. Oncu crossed the line ninth and Montella thirteenth in the first race.
Today’s race ran over a distance of 18 laps with both Kawasaki Puccetti Racing riders making a good start and soon gaining ground on their rivals. Mid-race Oncu was up into the leading group while unfortunately Montella crashed through the last turn while trying to reach the frontrunners and was unable to continue. Can moved up into third place in the final stages, having run an intelligent race and safeguarded the tyres up until that point. The Turkish rider was able to hold this position to the line to score his fifth podium of the season, the eighth of his WorldSSP career.
In the championship standings the young Turk lies third with 194 points, while Montella is eighth with 106.
The next Supersport World Championship round will take place on 21-23 October at the San Juan Villicum circuit in Argentina.
Autodromo do Algarve – Portimao – Portugal – Supersport World Championship
Race 2 – 1) Aegerter (Yamaha) – 2) De Rosa (Ducati) – 3) Oncu (Kawasaki) – 4) Caricasulo (Ducati) – 5) Sofuoglu (MV Agusta) – 6) Cluzel (Yamaha) ……. n.c.) Montella (Kawasaki)
Can Oncu
“Yesterday we struggled so much but today we took a podium after a very tough competition. We did a very good job in the race. I was thinking about the tyre as I knew it would be important to have good grip at the end. Thanks a lot to everybody who works so hard to put us in this position. I am proud of my team and Kawasaki. Also thank you to Kenan Sofuoglu for all his support. Now I am looking forward to Argentina and the next races in the championship.”
Yari Montella
“I don’t have much to say sadly. My race didn’t last long. I started quite well but then got swallowed by the group. I tried to keep contact with the leading group but then crashed at high speed through the last turn. Luckily I’m unhurt but my race ended in the run off area. I’m really sorry for the team as they worked so hard for me. I hope to make up for it at the next round in Argentina.”
