5 years and 281 days is how long Loris Baz had to wait before getting on the podium in a WorldSBK race again. On the verge of the Top 3 on numerous occasions since he accompanied the return of the Ten Kate Racing team during 2019, the Frenchman was finally able to make it happen during the Superpole race in Portimão.
Author of an excellent start from sixth place on the grid, the Haut-Savoyard was quick to move up to third position. He then managed to maintain this position until the finish to achieve his first podium since the 2014 Qatar event.
Building on this performance, it was from the front row that he set off at the start of Race 2. Although in the leading group, he unfortunately made a mistake at turn n°15, the fastest curve on the Portimão circuit. More fear than harm for the Yamaha rider who only suffered a few bruises.
Loris Baz is now determined to take his revenge at the next meeting on the calendar at MotorLand Aragón at the end of August.
Loris Baz (Superpole Race — 3rd / Race 2 — Fall): “ I'm very happy to make it happen! We have made big changes to the electronics since yesterday in a completely different direction. It was much better. I placed myself in third position and stayed that way until the finish. It’s a huge relief! It's been complicated for quite some time and it feels good to finish on the podium. Even though it's the sprint race, it's a race and it's a podium. This is my first podium since 2014, my first podium since returning to WorldSBK, the Ten Kate team's first podium since 2016 and the team's first podium with Yamaha. Lots of first times and it feels good... I'm very happy and I dedicate this result both to all the people who believed in me since my return to WorldSBK and to all those who doubted my ability to go fast. The second race was weird. I fell on the first lap at the fastest corner of the circuit. Fortunately, I escaped unscathed. I have a few bruises everywhere, but for a fall at 200 km/h, I'm doing well. There were a lot of falls and the pace was slow. I think the grip was less good... I apologize to the team for finishing like this, but we signed our first podium and that's what we must keep. We will try to record a few more in Aragón. »
