Ieraci storms to career-first WorldSSP300 podium at Losail
The young Italian completed a first season of World Supersport 300 action in fine style, taking a first front row and podium under the Qatari floodlights
After the closest WorldSSP300 race in the Championship’s three-year history, it was Italian Bruno Ieraci (Kawasaki GP Project) who took a career-first WorldSSP300 podium in fine style at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. The Motul Qatar Round marked the first time that a WorldSSP300 round had taken place outside of Europe, going onto result in a phenomenal eight-rider scrap at the head of the field.
Starting from his first ever front row position of second, Ieraci hit the front and led for a lap before being shuffled back into the pack. A collision with Ana Carrasco (Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300) at Turn 12 saw both of them go off the track, before recovering all the way back to third place on the final lap, finishing a mere 0.249s behind winner Scott Deroue (Kawasaki MOTOPORT), picking up his first ever World Supersport 300 podium.
Speaking after the race, Ieraci was elated with his first podium in World Championship action: “It was an amazing race and I am really happy for the team. All of the weekend, we did a great job and it is very important for us to achieve this podium. On Friday, it was the first front row and now, the first podium; it is the perfect way to finish our first season of World Championship racing! Thanks to my team and to my family.”
The 19-year-old from Giulianova on the Adriatic Coast completed his first season of WorldSSP300 action, taking four top ten results, of which three came from outside of the first three rows on the grid. Proving his pace, race craft and ability to race well in the pack, he could be one of many riders to keep one eye on in 2020,when the grid is set to become even stronger.
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