Despite not taking full advantage of his teammates disastrous Donington Park Tissot Superpole, Federico Caricasulo (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) edged closer to the championship lead, with his teammate finishing off the podium for the first time in 2019. Caricasulo’s efforts have rewarded him, going into the Summer break with momentum and also, the smaller gap to the championship lead – with it coming down to just 15 points.

The Italian put in a strong display and tried to get ahead of Jules Cluzel (GMT94 YAMAHA) on the final lap but went slightly wide at the Melbourne Loop, allowing the Frenchman back in the lead. It was far from a straight dogfight however, as Caricasulo had to contend with Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) looking to attack from behind, whilst Randy Krummenacher but in a stunning mid-race surge from 11^th on the grid.

Speaking after the WorldSSP encounter, Caricasulo said: “I started well and was up in the leading group. Up until mid-race, I wasn’t very fast, but I then increased my pace and set the fastest lap of the race.

“On the last lap, I was really close to Cluzel and tried to attack him, but I saw I’d have to risk too much and so I focused on second place and the important points, especially considering Randy’s result. Now we’ll rest a little before the Portimao test. Big thanks to my team for having given me such a fast bike.”

It is shaping up to be a vintage WorldSSP season, with three riders in realistic contention for the crown. Caricasulo has not been off the podium all season and has been first or second in the last five races, whilst Randy Krummenacher had been first or second all season, until his worst result of 2019 in the UK with fourth. Then, Donington Park race winner, Jules Cluzel, is now just 41 points back and ready to pick up the pieces if the battling BARDAHL Evan Bros. Yamahas get too aggressive.

It really is game on in WorldSSP: watch the final four rounds of the season unfold with the WorldSBK VideoPass!