[Supersport] Buriram Course: Phenomenal victory for Jules Cluzel and the GMT94

This Saturday was a great day for the GMT94 with the first pole position in its history in the Supersport World Championship thanks to Jules Cluzel and his R6. We all hoped that it would be the same this Sunday, but the serious threat came from the two other Yamahas of Randy Krummenacher and Federico Caricasulo qualified with him on the first row. The differences were minimal with 0.029 between Cluzel and Krummenacher, as well as 0.089 between Jules and Caricasulo. Fortunately, unlike Phillip Island, there were no pit stops required to change tires for safety reasons. Lucas Mahias qualified 9th at 0.9, Jules Danilo, 12th at 1.3 and Corentin Perolari, 15th at 1.7.

According to Jules cluzel : “We worked very hard this weekend to achieve this result. I know the gap between the top drivers is really tight. It's not the same situation as in Australia where I was quite far from the first. We have improved and that is the most important thing. I will do my best for the race.”

According to Christophe Guyot: “Congratulations to Jules Cluzel for his pole position. The whole team is really proud and happy. Of course it wasn't the race, but pole position is very important in order to get the best start to the big day. We are aware of the talent of our pilot, Jules cluzel, but it was important that the team prepared a good bike for him! »

To Lucas Mahias, “It's not my best qualifying but I'm really happy because I improved my lap time compared to Friday and this Saturday in FP3. It's certainly difficult sometimes, but I will try to do my best and continue to work for my mechanics. My job is to continue to improve the settings and the pace, and to get the Kawasaki on the podium. »

Corentin Perolari is “angry with myself because I lost a good chance for a better lap time. I will try to make a good start and I will do my best throughout the race! » To Guyot, “We are a little disappointed for our pilot Corentin Perolari, because he did a very good FP3 yesterday morning, he was in the top ten! We were really happy with the result. As was previously mentioned, he lost a lot of time in Superpole traffic and a chance for a good lap on a new tire. I'm sure he can make a good start and finish in the top ten. » Jules Danilo was " quite satisfied with the progress we made during this session and the pace. Unfortunately I didn't do a 1.37, which was important in this session, but I feel really comfortable on the bike. I think the team did a good job with the set-up, I also have good control of the brakes and there are plenty of opportunities to brake on this track, that's positive. I think there is a group between 3rd and 7th that is the one we want to be racing with. ».

Randy Krummenacher shares between Jules Cluzel and his Bardahl Evan Bros teammate, Federico Caricasulo. The Frenchman chose the Superpole for himself, Krummenacher returned to 2nd place. “ Of course I'm happy with that », assured the Swiss speedweek. com. " We are faster than ever and we are working hard to keep going. We can run the times very consistently and are ready to race. I am in good shape and the goal is to win the race ". In front of his colleagues at the Yamaha brand, Krummi has respect. “ The other two are also very fast, they will make my life difficult. Maybe someone else will join us. Working hard in the heat is difficult, but I feel well prepared for it ».

At the start of the race, the fastest to start was Jules Cluzel ahead of Federico Caricasulo. Okubo then preceded Viñales, de Rosa, Gradinger, Barbera and Krummenacher. Lucas Mahias started from the back of the grid, having left the pit lane late.

Cluzel opened up a gap of 0.2 on Caricasulo. They were ahead of Viñales, Okubo, Gradinger, Barbera, de Rosa and Krummenacher. Mahias was 9th, Danilo 10th and Perolari 16th.

Cluzel led Caricasulo, Viñales, Gradinger and Okubo with 14 laps to go. Krummenacher in eighth position was in difficulty at 1.8. He managed to win a place as understudy for Raffaele de Rosa. The motorcycle of Thomas Gradinger, then fourth, broke down on the side of the track.

Cluzel resisted Viñales, closely held by Caricasulo. Okubo fourth was already 1.8 ahead of Barbera, Krummenacher and de Rosa. Lucas Mahias eighth was 7 seconds behind, while Danilo moved up to 16th and Perolari 11th.

Behind Cluzel, Caricasulo and Viñales fought a great battle. Okubo, 4th at 1.4, was ahead of Krummenacher at 2.6. Jules Danilo was involved in an incident, fell and retired.

Caricasulo took the lead with 8 laps remaining, ahead of Cluzel and Viñales. Then Jules superbly took command again. Caricasulo overtook him again 6 laps from the checkered flag.

Cluzel returned to first ahead of Caricasulo and Viñales, while Krummenacher closed in fourth position at 1.001 ahead of Okubo at 1.6. Mahias remained 8th and Perolari 11th.

Cluzel led from Caricasulo with 3 laps remaining, but Krummenacher was increasingly threatening at 0.7 in third, ahead of Viñales, de Rosa and Okubo.

Cluzel, Caricasulo, Krummenacher and Viñales were wheel to wheel entering the final lap. Caricasulo took the lead, but Cluzel overtook him. Then Krummenacher took second place. Cluzel took a fantastic victory ahead of Krummenacher, Caricasulo and Viñales. Mahias finished 8th and Perolari 11th. It was the GMT94’s first World Supersport victory! But probably not the last...

Supersport Race Results:

Provisional ranking of the Supersport World Championship:

 

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