A third season in the World Supersport Championship has seen Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) embroiled in a year-long battle with teammate, Federico Caricasulo. Despite the pendulum swinging relentlessly between each side of the garage, it is the 29-year-old Swiss who has come out on top. From last lap fights to tremendous comebacks, check out the five key battles that saw Krummenacher eventually win the war!

The fiercest – Misano

Unequivocally, the final three corners of the Pata Riviera di Rimini Round of the World Supersport Championship were some of the most dramatic we have seen all year. Federico Caricasulo thought he had done enough but Randy Krummenacher, more determined than ever before, had other ideas. The Swiss rider barged through at Turn 14 and took the lead. Running fractionally wide, Caricasulo fought back and the two rubbed elbows as they clashed on the run to Turn 15. Krummenacher held on and defended extremely hard into the final corner to block his teammate of home glory. Lucas Mahias closed in on the battling BARDAHL Yamahas but Krummenacher would hold on to take the verdict. Just one of many incredible last lap battles in a thrilling season of racing.

The most frantic – MotorLand Aragon

The first European round of the year came from the Spanish desert and the MotorLand Aragon venue. Thomas Gradinger (Kallio Racing) was looking to become the first Austrian winner in the class, whilst Raffaele De Rosa (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) was aiming for his first win in World Supersport. However, Randy Krummenacher would leave it until the final run down the back-straight to launch up the inside at the penultimate corner. Holding a tight line and making sure that the opposition – including his teammate Federico Caricasulo – couldn’t gain any advantage, the Super Swiss made it a second win of the season, whilst his Italian teammate could only manage third. Once again, Krummenacher conquered and this time, it was at the expense of Raffaele De Rosa – still without a win in WorldSSP.

The most fortunate – Phillip Island

Opening the season is nervous for everyone involved, not least the riders. Add in a compulsory tyre change in the middle of the race and the pressure escalates further. However, Randy Krummenacher’s battle this time would be a proxy war, fought in pitlane. Krummenacher’s tyre change was perfect and soon after, Federico Caricasulo entered. However, the Italian wouldn’t be so lucky as a mechanic left the rear jack attached to his bike, costing him valuable time in the pits. Having been in a battle for the lead, Caricasulo was cast back to third, whilst Krummenacher made light work of passing Jules Cluzel (GMT94 YAMAHA) to take victory. First blood to Krummenacher in 2019.

The comeback – Donington Park

A phenomenally consistent season now looked to be undone as wet weather plagued Saturday at Donington Park, leaving Randy Krummenacher down in 11^th on the grid. The Swiss sensation burst through the pack, reaching fourth by Lap 10 before settling down. He closed on the leading group but with little tyre left, Krummenacher couldn’t mount a challenge for the win or the podium, finishing fourth and 0.804s back of victory. It was the first time in 2019 that he was off the rostrum. However, rocketing through and gaining vital points meant that he protected his Championship lead, whilst Federico Caricasulo couldn’t win. Jules Cluzel was instead the victor and closed the gap to make it a three-man dice for World Supersport supremacy.

The most dramatic – Imola

Plenty of drama and action meant that Imola was one of the most exhilarating rounds of the championship. Federico Caricasulo looked like he had it covered for a second win in succession and a famous victory in front of his home crowd, but it wasn’t to be. Overcoming a 0.275s gap on the final lap, Krummenacher made it to the lead in brave fashion on the run down to Rivazza, holding on against a wilting Federico Caricasulo. Despite an error at the final chicane, Krummenacher held on to take a crucial victory; one of his best of the 2019 World Supersport season and to return the points gap to Caricasulo to how it was before Assen.

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