Supersport, Misano J3, Race: Krummenacher narrowly ahead of Caricasulo and Mahias

Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) started from pole position, with Federico Caricasulo (Bardahl Evan Bros.) alongside him. WorldSSP Team) and Randy Krummenacher (Bardahl) Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team). The second row included Hannes Soomer (MPM WILSport Racedays), Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) and Luca Ottaviani (SGM Tecnic).

On the third row were Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing), Raffaele De Rosa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Hikari Okubo (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing). Lorenzo Gabellini (Gomma Racing) started 10th ahead of Thomas Gradinger (Kallio Racing) 12th, Corentin Perolari (GMT94 Yamaha) 15th and Jules Danilo (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) 21st.

It seems that the agreement between manufacturers intended to increase the competitiveness of other brands against Yamaha has borne fruit. Kawasaki thus improved its ZX-6R by officially recognizing it, while Honda did not do much. So Lucas Mahias is on pole among the Greens (also thanks to his obvious talent) while Jules Danilo is not jubilant (“ Not great this Saturday, we're going to test something in the warmup, and I'm going to have to make up for it in the race "). Curiously, this agreement between manufacturers does not appear anywhere in the regulations and has not been the subject of any communication from the organizer or the FIM. This is unfortunate, because what is certainly for many a “gentlemen's agreement” marked by courtesy can seem like a scam to others. In the absence of any information, the imagination works quickly.

But this oversight will certainly be quickly repaired, and it will in no way spoil the pleasure of finding Lucas Mahias in pole position. The 2017 World Champion's best result this year is a fifth place at Assen, and Lucas deserves better than his seventh place in the general classification with 50 points, 85 points behind leader Krummenacher. Mahias said after his pole: “ It's been a long time since I've been on pole position, along with the team and Kawasaki. They worked a lot to help me get back to this position, so thank you to them. It's also good for me because it's been a long time since I smiled and now my smile is back! I am confident for Sunday even if the race takes place in very hot conditions. Friday, in hot weather, we worked a lot on long distances, I am confident for Sunday ».

On the GMT94 Yamaha side, for Jules cluzel : " I'm obviously disappointed with this 5th place, I attacked really hard to achieve it, but we still can't put our finger on what we're missing to get first place. We are all working hard, and we already have adjustments to be more efficient on Sunday and try to grab a new podium ”, while for Corentin Perolari « I already feel a little better than Friday, I was able to progress by more than a second, but I will start from 15th position. I will need to make an excellent start during the race to grab as many places as possible and earn as many points as possible for the championship. ».

Krummenacher in force

The fastest at the start was Lucas Mahias, ahead of Federico Caricasulo, Randy Krummenacher, Jules Cluzel, Raffaele de Rosa and Hikari Okubo. A small group of five drivers stood out slightly with Mahias, Caricasulo, Krummenacher, Cluzel and de Rosa. Corentin Perolari fell without seriousness during the second lap in Turn 2.

Mahias retained the lead, but Krummenacher overtook him 17 laps from the checkered flag. Caricasulo retained third position ahead of Cluzel and de Rosa.

Caricasulo took second place by overtaking Mahias, who was then ahead of Cluzel. Jules Danilo was fifteenth. Isaac Viñales, then sixth, fell without damage. Raffaele de Rosa fell with his MV Agusta without seriousness.

Krummenacher took the lead, but Caricasulo and Mahias passed him again. The group of four leaders was made up of Caricasulo, Mahias, Krummenacher and Cluzel.

Krummenacher overtook Mahias and moved into second position ahead of Mahias and Cluzel, as well as Okubo well back in fifth position. Lorenzo Gabellini (Gomma Racing) was sixth at 4.6 ahead of Soomer, Gradinger and Roccoli.

Krummenacher took the lead at mid-race, closely followed by Caricasulo, Mahias, Cluzel and Okubo. Danilo was sixteenth. Caricasulo had the fastest lap in 1'39.930.

The first five remained grouped in a second with Krummenacher, Caricasulo, Mahias, Cluzel and Okubo. None managed to gain a decisive advantage or outrun their adversaries. The pace was not extraordinarily fast, which seemed to suggest many were saving their tires for the final sprint.

Krummenacher and Caricasulo were fighting at the front, but with 5 laps to go Mahias, Cluzel and Okubo followed without problem. Krummenacher made a small mistake, opened the door slightly, and Caricasulo took advantage of it to regain first position.

Krummenacher passed Caricasulo, with Mahias right behind them. Cluzel was fourth at 1.2 ahead of Okubo at 1.9.

Krummenacher, Caricasulo and Mahias fought for victory on the very last lap. Krummenacher narrowly won with 0.08 ahead of Caricasulo and 0.161 ahead of an excellent Mahias who reached his first podium of the year, 2.3 ahead of Cluzel and 6.6 ahead of Okubo. Jules Danilo finished 14th at 26 seconds.

Krummenacher thus strengthened his lead in the Championship over his teammate Caricasulo, while obtaining the title became more and more difficult for Cluzel.

Race results:

Provisional ranking of the World Championship:

Above: With Fabien Foret

Photos © worldsbk.com / Dorna, manufacturers and teams