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Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) earned an important milestone in his young FIM Supersport World Championship career at Autodrom Most’s Motul Czech Round, tasting the Prosecco   as a winner for the first time as he topped the podium in Race 1.  Since joining the WorldSSP paddock this offseason from Moto2™, the rookie has instantly been competitive. Apart from a pair of DNFs, the Spanish rider’s worst result so far has been only P7.

PICKING HIS MOMENT: “Oncu can be risky to have him behind you; so, I waited for the last moment to not leave him any time to take P1 back”

After struggling in the Tissot Superpole, coming in 15th fastest during tricky conditions, Masia started Race 1 mired down the grid on the fifth row. After shooting off the line, he skilfully managed the tricky race-opening chicane at Most, jumping up from P15 to P8 after just the opening lap. From there, he continued to take positions lap after lap, reaching second place by Lap 12 of the 20-lap race. He hung behind Oncu for the subsequent laps by around three tenths of a second before beginning to turn up the heat on the young Turkish star in the last lap.  Sector by sector, he made time on the #61 until, on Lap 20, Masia overtook Oncu for the lead as he entered the looping final sector of the track before the home straight.

On his race victory, Masia stated, “It was a difficult race, I was concerned about the first chicane, in lots of the races I saw here, I saw that it can be a complicated corner. I think we managed quite well, I was able to overtake some riders. I’m really happy, it was a strong race, I was just trying to keep the rhythm and avoid making mistakes. I didn’t know if I could fight for the win at the end of the race, but I trust a lot in myself and the team has a lot of faith in me, so I decided to try to overtake. I think the manoeuvre was nice, and in the end, I took the victory. I wanted to wait until the end to overtake because I know Oncu can be risky to have behind you; so, I waited for the last moment to not leave him any time to take P1 back.”

“I’m really happy, this win confirms I’m a fast rider, and it confirms that the team is working well.” – Masia on what his first WorldSSP win means to him

Many young, talented riders can show their speed on track from time to time, but Masia has shown great promise in his rookie season so far in his ability to land strong results consistently. As the season progresses – and now with a race win on his resume – it seems likely that he will continue to develop as a rider. If he can take a further step and consistently challenge Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) for race wins, perhaps the already-stacked WorldSSP Championship fight will have a new challenger.

Masia went on to speak on the positive feeling his win has brought him and his team, “I’m really happy, this win confirms we are strong, it confirms I’m a fast rider, and it confirms that the team is working well. I’m happy for myself, for my family, my team, and for all the people around me who are helping me. Now I just need to keep working, my target is to adapt more to the tyres, adapt more to the Championship, and pick up more of the experience I’m still lacking as soon as possible.”

Follow Masia and the rest of the WorldSSP grid as they hit the track next at Misano, June 13-15th, stream it live or on demand with the WorldSBK VideoPass! Now 30% off!