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It has been an electrifying World Supersport season in 2019, with BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team Yamaha riders Randy Krummenacher and Federico Caricasulo going head-to-head in what is quickly becoming one of the fiercest rivalries in the class’ history. Caricasulo is yet to finish off the podium in 2019 but despite a worst result of fourth last time out at Donington Park, Randy Krummenacher’s four wins see him take a 15-point advantage into the Summer break.

The pendulum within Caricasulo and Krummenacher’s team has swung all season long, with both riders having the upper-hand at some point over the course of the season. Randy Krummenacher has been staggering, as until his fourth place at Donington Park, he had been first or second in every race, battling hard for victories at Imola and Misano – where he got the beating of Caricasulo on the last lap both times.

However, looking over the races from when Caricasulo took his first win of the season at Assen, the championship would tell a different story. The Italian has scored more points since taking the win at Assen and since then, he has not finished lower than second. Coinciding with a fourth for Krummenacher at Donington Park, and Caricasulo has scored 110 points in the last five WorldSSP races, whereas Krummenacher has scored 103. This underlines Krummenacher’s strong start to the season and how pivotal it is proving to be, although Caricasulo has the momentum and the right kind of consistency to now combat it.

“I go quite relaxed into the Summer break after my good work,” declared Krummenacher, who knows how important it is to be ahead of his teammate at Portimao. “It will be a hard battle if Federico does a good job, also with the other guys now too. I will continue in my direction of work and hope to be near the front again.” The Swiss hasn’t put a fault wrong all season, whilst Caricasulo has only been on the receiving end: will the WorldSSP championship come down to human error?

“Every race, I am not thinking about the championship; I only think about doing my best race,” said Federico Caricasulo after his second place at Donington Park. “In the last four races, we have to work on being faster than Randy, without making mistakes and I think that this is the only solution to the championship.”

With both riders determined for WorldSSP success, it could be a different rider all together, as Jules Cluzel edged back into the title fight with a win at Donington Park. But he is yet to get within striking distance of the championship and until then, it looks like it could be a BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team party in Losail – it is just which side of the garage will be celebrating the most that is yet to be decided.

Watch the tantalising World Supersport battle continue in the final four rounds with the WorldSBK VideoPass!