19 riders covered by just 2.3s as WorldSSP300 provides another jaw-dropping battle
WorldSSP300 once again put on a phenomenal show to complete has been an incredible Motul Dutch Round for the World Supersport 300 championship. 19 riders battled hard to see who would take the victory in front of a packed Assen crowd, which eventually saw Manuel Gonzalez take a second career win!
Pole position was taken by Galang Hendra Pratama (Semakin Di Depan Biblion Motoxracing), who got an incredible start and led by Turn 1. However, despite the big initial gap, the race was far from over, as Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team) pushed through to lead, whilst Hugo De Cancellis (Team Trasimeno) also came through the field. Teammate Omar Bonoli was also a prominent figure in the leading group, along with Ana Carrasco (Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300), Scott Deroue (Kawasaki MOTOPORT) and Nick Kalinin (Nutec – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki).
As the leaders swapped and changed in frantic fashion throughout the race, there were some massive accidents. Tom Edwards (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team) crashed at the ferocious Turn 7, with his bike taking a huge beating on Lap 3. Also crashing in front of him at the same corner and on the same lap, were Kevin Arduini (2R Racing Team) and his teammate, Jack Hyde.
In a race which saw riders drop back and then surge forwards, one of the most notable improvers was Bruno Ieraci (Kawasaki GP Project), who qualified in 28th place but was up in the lead on the final lap, having to fend off the likes of Ana Carrasco and Manuel Gonzalez!
It was chaos at the final chicane, as all 19 riders looked to try and make up as many positions as possible. Contact between Jan-Ole Jahnig (Freudenberg KTM Junior Team) and Manuel Gonzalez forced the Spaniard off track at the final chicane, but he crossed the line in first! Scott Deroue was in third place as the chasing pack crossed the line, with 2.3s covering the top 19!
After a small pause as race direction looked at the results, Gonzalez maintained his victory whilst Jahnig was forced to drop a place for exceeding track limits! Deroue took second in front of his home fans, whilst Jahnig was third and achieved his first podium! Nick Kalinin was fourth whilst Hugo De Cancellis was fifth
P1 – Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team)
“It was an incredible race! It was tough for me to overtake especially in the corners, but in the straight, I had more advantage! The last lap was amazing. I kept trying and finally got at the front and took the victory once again. Thanks to my team for all the work they have done. It was a perfect weekend
NLDWorldSBK WorldSSP300 at TT Circuit Assen – Race
1. Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team)
2. Scott Deroue (Kawasaki MOTOPORT) +0.143
3. Jan-Ole Jahnig (Freudenberg KTM Junior Team) +0.320
