World Supersport at Misano saw Valentino Rossi wander the track as drivers lined up for the first race of this year's only Italian weekend. Ducati put in a good performance in qualifying and was hoping for a victory under the hot Italian sun. And as is often the case in this category, it was a race with twists and turns: Dominique Aegerter took victory after his rival Lorenzo Baldassarri was penalized for a track limits violation on the last lap. Niccolo Bulega completes the podium, the three men cross the checkered flag in a hurry, since only 0.08 seconds separate the leader from third!
As expected, the first round of Misano was the prerogative of three riders: Niccolo Bulega, Dominique Aegerter and Lorenzo Baldassarri. A large part of the race took place precisely in this order with these riders, the Italian on the Ducati managing to impose his pace from the first lap, the Swiss just as skillful in not losing the rear wheel of the leader of the race and finally with Lorenzo Baldassarri who for long periods seemed the fastest of the trio.
Despite a series of faster laps from Aegerter and Baldassarri as the race progressed, Bulega was able to maintain the race lead until the 17th lap. Two laps from the finish, the Swiss driver attacked Niccolo Bulega for the first time, and propelled himself to the lead of the race. He was immediately followed by Lorenzo Baldassarri, bringing to life a merciless duel. Although the Italian driver was first under the checkered flag, victory ultimately went to the Swiss, by virtue of a passage on the green zone outside the circuit for Lorenzo Baldassarri, therefore guilty of having exceeded the limits of the track. With this result, Dominique Aegerter achieves the sixth consecutive success out of seven rounds contested so far.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
The podium is completed by an excellent Niccolo Bulega. The Ducati rider perhaps expected something more from the race, especially after attempting a breakaway at the start of the race, then rendered useless by the inexorable recovery of the two Yamaha riders and a technical problem on his Ducati: “Halfway through the race my rear brake broke, when they passed me I couldn't do anything.”
The first three finished the race with only 80 thousandths of a gap, demonstrating a level unmatched by the others. This is evidenced by the delay of Can Oncu, fourth at the finish, 17 seconds behind the winner. The Turkish driver got the better of Stefano Manzi, author of a good comeback from ninth place, Yari Montella and Jules Cluzel who finished seventh. Here too, the gap is tight, because only 3 tenths separate these 4 drivers at the finish.
WSS Misano Race 1: Results
Credit Ranking & photos: World SBK
