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GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team crowned 2018 team champions

Wednesday, 31 October 2018 11:45 GMT

Yamaha factory team take WorldSSP crown under the floodlights

Feilding reigning world champion Lucas Mahias and Italian youngster Federico Caricasulo, the GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team were a force to reckoned with in 2019, and despite a turbulent campaign, they secured the teams world title in the FIM Supersport World Championship this weekend.

Starting the season off in strong style, the team were able to take home 38 points from the opening round in Australia. 2017 champion Mahias won the race after a tense on track battle, and Caricasulo finished in fourth position, narrowly missing out on a podium. From there two consistent rounds followed, as the duo took a double podium finish in Thailand ahead of a top four finish for Mahias at MotorLand Aragon as the European season began.

But from the fourth round of the year at TT Circuit Assen, they began to run into some issues. Caricasulo was unable to finish the race, whilst Mahias took home a fourth around the historic Dutch circuit. Results improved for the team around Imola, as the first trip of the year to Italy welcomed a podium finish for home hero Caricasulo, whereas Mahias could only take home eight points. Donington Park followed, but the pair could only muster a fifth and sixth position finish and the team were uncharacteristically struggling as the summer break loomed ahead.

Brno was another tough weekend for the team, with only Mahias finishing the race and taking home 13 points. But the season then turned around for Italian team-mate Caricasulo as he won the next two races on the bounce; first around his home track of Misano and then at the rollercoaster of a circuit at Portimao. Whilst Mahias struggled with two no points scoring finishes, they faced a tough battle in the final European round of the season at Magny-Cours.

For home hero Mahias, a small injury hindered him and he took third position after a strong battle on track, whilst Caricasulo crashed on the final lap and rejoined to take home three points.

Heading to Argentina for the penultimate round of the season with a 32 point lead in the teams standings, ahead of closes rivals NRT, Mahias was able to take another podium whilst Caricasulo crashed out in the opening lap. Heading to Qatar with the chance to take the crown and a 10 point lead, the duo put on a strong performance to be crowned champions in 2018. Leading the way in the team standings for the whole season, even after some bumps in the road their reign was never in doubt.

Enjoy the highs and lows the champions team’s season, all with the WorldSBK VideoPass.