First time pole man Thomas Gradinger (Kallio Racing Yamaha) and now seasoned WorldSSP veteran Federico Caricasulo (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha) did much of the heavy lifting out front in the 16-lap WorldSSP race at Motorland, but it was to be new clear championship leader Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha) who would take the win.
Raffaele De Rosa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) clawed his way to the top four with five laps left and led them onto the final lap and onto the back straight. He would finish second by just 0.094 seconds from ‘Krummi’ with Caricasulo third. Gradinger was fourth, but just 0.732 seconds from the winner.
Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) was not able to get to and compete with the top podium men today, finishing a lonely fifth and dropping 14 points behind Krummenacher as a result.
Corentin Perolari (GMT94 Yamaha) came through to finish sixth, heading up an eventual three rider fight with the two official Kawasaki riders, Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Hikari Okubo (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who finished seventh and eighth respectively.
Kyle Smith (Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki) was on a mission in his first race back in the WorldSSP paddock, ahead of the official bikes for a while but finally ninth at the flag.
Hannes Soomer (MPM WILSport Racedays Honda) completed the top ten WorldSSP riders in Spain.
In the championship Krummenacher leads with 70 points, from Cluzel on 56 and Caricasulo on 48.
By Gordon Ritchie
Photos GnG