GMT94 Yamaha Supported WorldSSP rider, Jules Cluzel, took an impressive win in today’s thrilling 17-lap Supersport encounter at the Chang International Circuit, after an intense battle with the Evan Bros. Bardahl Yamaha Supported WorldSSP riders, Randy Krummenacher and Federico Caricasulo, who both finished on the podium in second and third places respectively.
Cluzel, starting from pole position, led the race from the outset but was under constant pressure from Caricasulo and Kallio Racing Yamaha Supported WorldSSP rider, Isaac Viñales. Caricasulo made his move to take the race lead on lap 10, but Cluzel was quick to retaliate, retaking the lead on the following lap.
The battle at the front allowed Krummenacher, who had dropped to eighth position on the opening lap after being pushed wide into turn one from the start, to scythe his way through the field with a string of fastest laps and into the battle for the race win. The closing stages of the race saw an intense battle between Cluzel, Krummenacher and Caricasulo, but it was the Frenchman who led across the line to take his first win of the season.
Krummenacher got the better of his teammate to secure second place, with Caricasulo taking third to claim the final step on the podium. Viñales missed out on a podium finish by the narrowest of margins, crossing the line in Caricasulo’s slipstream to finish fourth.
Cluzel now leads the championship standings with 45 points, while Krummenacher drops to second but with the same number of points as the GMT94 Yamaha rider. Caricasulo lies third with 32 points.
Loris Cresson made it two top ten finish is as many races, as he brought his Kallio Yamaha YZF-R6 home in ninth, two places ahead of GMT94 Yamaha’s Corentin Perolari, who recovered impressively from an opening lap crash to pick up championship points in 11th place.
Thomas Gradinger endured a frustratingly short race in Thailand today. The Kallio Yamaha rider was forced to retire from the battle for the lead just six laps into the race, after experiencing a technical problem with the bike.
MS Racing Yamaha rider, Maria Herrera, rode an intelligent race to 15th place to collect her first point in the FIM Supersport World Championship.
Randy Krummenacher
Evan Bros. Bardahl Yamaha Supported WorldSSP – P2
“It wasn’t the best start for me, as I got pushed wide, but that’s racing. Everyone was really fast in the first laps, all pushing hard, but then I found my rhythm and was able to start to move up through the field until I caught the leading group. To be honest, second was the maximum, as Jules was the best today, but I’m happy with second place; the season is long and we are on the right way.”
Jules Cluzel
GMT94 Yamaha Supported WorldSSP – P1