Everything to play for in WorldSSP
Imola is the host for round five with nothing to split the top
Renowned for its nail biting racing action, the FIM Supersport World Championship is preparing to serve up another round of memorable racing as the series rolls into Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola. With one point splitting the top two in the championship standings, the passionate Italian fans are in for a stunning on track battle around a circuit where the passion of racing runs through the tarmac.
Reigning world champion Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) heads to Imola with a podium finish in his sights after tough back to back rounds. Missing out on the podium finish on both occasions, the Frenchman hoped to spend his time between Assen and Imola working on his bike and set up. Taking a podium finish last season, Mahias could go one further as it’s clear the YZF-R6 is a strong bike in WorldSSP this season. With dedication and motivation, Mahias is looking forward to a strong weekend.
Swiss rival Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evans Bros. WorldSSP Team) stunned the paddock after he made up 27 positions in the Dutch race, and is showing no signs of slowing down. With a one point deficit in the world championship standings, Krummenacher has a big battle on his hands this weekend with a tough record around the 4.9km track. Relishing every battle out on track so far this season, he has only finished outside of the top two once with an 11th at MotorLand Aragon. Not afraid to fight at the front, you can always guarantee entertainment from the 28 year old.
Keeping the championship battle tight at the top are Sandro Cortese (Kallio Racing) and Jules Cluzel (NRT) who each took a victory in the back to back rounds at MotorLand Aragon and TT Circuit Assen respectively. German rookie Cortese sits seven points from the top, whilst Cluzel is 21 off the championship leader, but in the unpredictable nature of the series they will certainly be involved in the battle this weekend.
Britain’s Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing) has put up a strong start to his season at the helm of the Triumph machine. With three top six finishes – and a top ten in Thailand – he sits in an impressive sixth in the world championship standings. No doubt building on his confidence and feeling with the bike, the British rider has a top 13 and top 18 finish to his name around Imola and if recent results are anything to go by, there is always room for improvement.
Aiming to be swinging his leg over his Kawasaki this weekend, Anthony West (EAB West Racing) is recovering from a right wrist injury which required surgery, after a fast crash around TT Circuit Assen which forced him to sit out of the race. Heading straight to Barcelona for an operation, the Australian rider has been recuperating ready for the Italian Round this weekend. Securing 17 points so far this season, West will be hoping to break into the top five as the season continues into Europe. But, Imola has been a tough circuit to West in the past so it will be a big challenge.
Rob Hartog (Team Hartog – Against Cancer) has been impressing in the European Supersport Cup this season, getting a top seven overall in front of his home crowds whilst topping the ESS standings in both rounds so far. With two top tens under his belt this season, Hartog is making the most of his ESS opportunity in the competitive WorldSSP field.
Follow the sensational WorldSSP on track action from Imola, and don’t miss what is guaranteed to be a stunning show all with the WorldSBK VideoPass.
