Newsletter

The official race report service of Kawasaki Racing Team.

20 November 2022

Top Five In Final Race For Montella

Kawasaki Puccetti Racing riders Can Öncü and Yari Montella could not repeat their first day Phillip Island podium rides in the final race of the FIM Supersport World Championship season, with Yari fifth and Öncü a no-scorer.

After a superb front-running victory in wet conditions during Race One at the 4.445km long Phillip Island circuit on Saturday Montella started off strongly, but ran wide into Turn Four and lost his advantage, dropping to seventh place.

In the dry conditions of Race Two Yari pushed hard to get back into contention but accidentally collided with his team-mate Öncü, with the Turkish rider falling, restarting, and then having to retire shortly afterwards.

Montella was given a long-lap penalty, which he took early in the race. That interruption to his forward progress stopped him being able to fight for a higher position than fifth.

In the final championship points Aegerter has a 498, Baldassarri 388, Öncu has 264, Bulega 242, Caricasulo 222, Manzi 209 and Montella 171.

With the season now complete the next appointment for the FIM Supersport World Championship will be at Phillip Island once again, as the Australian circuit hosts the first round of the 2023 championship, between 24-26 February.

Can Öncü, stated: “Crashing on lap one due to a contact is not the way I wanted to finish the championship. I had started strongly and was in the leading group but couldn’t avoid the contact and the crash. That’s racing, unfortunately. We console ourselves with third in the championship, which demonstrates the kind of season we’ve had. And for this I want to thank Manuel Puccetti, the whole team that has always done such a good job and Kenan Sofuoglu, who is always there for me and helps me so much.”

Yari Montella, stated: “I’m really sorry for coming into contact with Can and causing him to crash. The bike swerved and I wasn’t able to avoid it. I started the race well and was in the front group. Probably, without the long lap penalty, I’d have been able to fight for the podium. But I’m pleased with the rhythm I was able to maintain, and with my result. I want to take the opportunity to thank the entire team for their help and support throughout this fantastic season.”

Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) was 12th in the final race of his rookie season. Fellow new-boy Tom Booth-Amos (Prodina Racing Kawasaki) ran off track at one stage of Race Two but recovered to finish 18th. Huertas is 12th overall in the points with Booth-Amos 23rd.

                                                           #NinjaSpirit