The second day of the sixth WorldSSP300 round played out today at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in France. Yesterday, Elia Bartolini and Emiliano Ercolani, riding for the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 Team, were on track for free practice and the Superpole qualifying session.
With a time of 1’54”084, Ercolani placed twentieth, followed by team-mate Bartolini (1’54”223) who has never raced at this track and who had crashed during practice. Though fortunately unhurt, the rider did receive a penalty, consisting of two long laps to be completed in Race 1, after he hindered another rider.
With these results, Emiliano and Elia both lined up on row seven of the grid for today’s 11-lap race. Having completed the two required long laps, Bartolini was unfortunately forced to retire due to a technical problem. Ercolani started well and moved in on the chasing group, battling hard all the way to the line to finish in twelfth place.
Bartolini and Ercolani will be back out tomorrow for the second and final race making up this French WorldSSP300 round.
“I consider Ercolani’s result very positive, while I’m sorry for Elia who had to retire due to a technical issue after completing his long lap penalty. We have everything we need to do well in tomorrow’s race.”
“This was my first race in the wet and I felt good on the bike, which meant I only had to focus on the riding. Thanks to the feeling I had with the bike, I was able to fight as part of the chasing group and come close to the top ten. I’m confident for tomorrow’s race and hope the track is dry.”
“My race didn’t last long because after the two long laps, a technical issue meant I had to retire. Tomorrow I’ll do what I can to make up for the disappointment of today.”
