The Catalunya Circuit in Spain is hosting the first WorldSSP300 round, in which the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 Team is competing with riders Emiliano Ercolani and Elia Bartolini.
The two young Italians were on track yesterday for free practice and Superpole, which established the grid positions for the weekend’s first race. Ercolani set a time of 1’56”893 to close in twenty-third place, while Bartolini put in a 1’57”094 to place twenty-eighth. With these results, Ercolani and Bartolini lined up on row eight and ten respectively for the afternoon’s 12-lap race.
Both riders made a good start to the race, but Ercolani then came into contact with another rider and crashed during the course of lap two. Emiliano was able to rejoin the race, albeit in last position, to eventually cross the line twenty-sixth. Bartolini ran a positive race, working hard to climb up through the field and close eleventh.
The two Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 riders will be back on track tomorrow for Race 2.
"I'm pleased with our debut race in this category. Elia's eleventh place finish gives me confidence and although it was a pity that a collision ruled Emiliano out today, I'm sure he'll be able to make up for it tomorrow."
“I made a good start but unfortunately contact with another rider at the start of lap two ruled me out of the fight. I was able to finish the race but at the back of the field. We’re working hard to find a good setting for our bike ahead of tomorrow’s race. A big thanks to the team as they’ve really helping me a lot.”
“We’re not yet 100% there, but we’re pleased with how we’ve tackled this first race anyway. We’ll do our best to be ready and more competitive in tomorrow’s race and over the next rounds. I want to say a big thank you to the whole team for their support.”
