By finishing on the second step of the podium on the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit, Lucas Mahias consolidated his first place in the provisional standings, while Kenan Sofuoglu won his fortieth victory and Jules Cluzel finished sixth.
Lucas Mahias arrived at Imola as leader of the World Championship with 65 points, ahead of Sheridan Morais (45) Roberto Rolfo (41) et PJ Jacobsen (39) while Jules cluzel occupied seventh position with 29 points. There were 4 different winners in the first 4 races.
PJ Jacobsen achieved the best time in qualifying and started from pole position, with him at his side on the front row Lucas Mahias and Christian Gamarino. Federico Caricasulo, Mahias' teammate, was in the second row with Kenan Sofuoglu and Sheridan Morais. But Caricasulo had to take a ride through penalty for incorrect grid position at the previous start. The third row included Kyle Smith, Jules Cluzel and Kyle RydeThe start was given at 14:20 p.m. (instead of 11:30 a.m.) due to several red flags during the first attempts.
Mahias took the lead into the first corner (for 11 laps), ahead of Jacobsen, Sofuoglu, Gamarino, Smith and Ryde. Then Mahias and Sofuoglu broke away with Jacobsen, while Cluzel was tenth. Kyle Ryde crashed and was taken away conscious by ambulance. Mahias and Sofuoglu distanced Jacobsen and Gamarino, while Cluzel moved up to seventh.
⚠️ CRASH for @kyleryde, rider OK 👍 (but dissapointed)😕 pic.twitter.com/6zo1qXxoPO
- WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) May 14, 2017
Sofuoglu took the lead from Mahias with 8 laps to go, but the Frenchman remained in contact, ahead of Jacobsen. Gamarino was fourth and 2.9 behind.
what an #Overtake from @kenan_sofuoglu to @MahiasLucas 7 Laps to go! #WorldSSP Race pic.twitter.com/zFq2yK2Ihb
- WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) May 14, 2017
Sofuoglu, Mahias and Jacobsen were battling for the lead at the halfway point. Niki Tuuli crashed without serious injury, but was taken to the medical PC for diagnosis. Jules Cluzel was seventh, just behind Smith, Morais and Gamarino. He took sixth place from Gamarino. Cresson was in ninth position.
Sofuoglu opened up a gap of 0.6 on Mahias, which came back to 0.3 with 2 laps to go. Finally Sofuoglu won with a 0.4 lead over Mahias, who thus made a very good operation in the World Championship where he retained the first place. PJ Jacobsen completed the podium, while Jules Cluzel ranked sixth.
Imola race results:
Provisional ranking of the World Championship:
