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BOUNCING BACK: Iglesias secures stunning Race 2 victory, Julio Garcia takes Kove’s first rostrum

Sunday, 24 March 2024 12:32 GMT

History was made in Race 2 as Chinese manufacturer Kove secured their first ever podium in WorldSSP300

Race 2 was a story of redemption for Inigo Iglesias Bravo (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) as he claimed a hard-fought victory at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. After crossing the line P1 in Saturday’s race before receiving a penalty, Iglesias took the win in Race 2 for the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship after an incredible last-lap fight during the Pirelli Catalunya Round. Elsewhere, there was history made as Kove took their first podium thanks to Julio Garcia Gonzalez (KOVE Racing Team).

0.064s IN IT: a fight to the line as Iglesias takes victory

WorldSSP300 continue to be as unpredictable as ever and the race was decided on the final lap. Iglesias was fighting at the front throughout and stayed there heading onto the last lap, fighting his way into P1 to respond from yesterday’s post-race disappointment. He was 0.064s ahead of Julio Garcia with the Spaniard taking Kove’s first podium despite losing ground before battling back over the final couple of laps. Bruno Ieraci (Team ProDina Kawasaki), back in World Championship action on a full-time basis after a year away, claimed third and completed the podium.

A RELATIVELY INCIDENT-FREE RACE: two retirements

The first crash of the race came on Lap 7 when Emiliano Ercolani (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 Team) and Gustavo Manso (Yamaha AD78 FIM LA by MS Racing) crashed at Turn 1, with both able to re-join the race but at the back of the field and well out of contention. Ercolani opted to bring his bike into the pits after returning from the gravel. On the final lap, Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PL Performances) went down at Turn 7 with the #85 out of contention.

 

A HUGE GROUP FOR THE WIN: as many as 20 riders in the lead group

The race often featured a 20-rider lead group with several riders exchanging first place, and it was hard to call until riders crossed the finish line with 12 riders separated by less than a second, the most riders within one second in WorldSSP300 history. In the end, Iglesias, Garcia and Ieraci rounded out the second podium of the year, with several riders narrowly missing out.

ENDING THE WEEKEND IN THE TOP TEN: strong results on Sunday

Just off the podium was Daniel Mogeda (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kawasaki) was fourth, 0.143s away from victory, with the Spaniard enjoying a strong home round. He was a tenth clear of Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki) in fifth. Two Indonesian riders followed Mogeda and Svoboda with brothers Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitRacing) and Aldi Satya Mahendra (Team BrCorse) in sixth and seventh, with Unai Calatayud (ARCO SASH MotoR University Team) in eighth despite leading at several points. Teammate Samuel Di Sora was ninth with Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) completing the top ten.

The top six from WorldSSP300 Race 2, full results here:

1. Inigo Iglesias Bravo (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki)

2. Julio Garcia Gonzalez (KOVE Racing Team) +0.064s

3. Bruno Ieraci (Team ProDina Kawasaki) +0.116s

4. Daniel Mogeda (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kawasaki) +0.143s

5. Petr Svoboda (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) +0.264s

6. Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) +0.514s

Julio Garcia Gonzalez (KOVE Racing Team) 1'54.997

Championship Standings

1. Aldi Satya Mahendra (Team BrCorse) 29 points

2. Iñngo Iglesias Bravo (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) 28

3. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing) 25

4. Petr Svoboda (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) 24

5. Samuel Di Sora (ARCO SASH MotoR University Team) 23

6. Julio Garcia Gonzalez (KOVE Racing Team) 20

Next up, Assen! Watch every moment from the Netherlands using the WorldSBK VideoPass!