Stefano Manzi delivered a good comeback in Race 1 at MotorLand Aragón, securing valuable points after a difficult qualifying session. Meanwhile, Remy Gardner showed competitive pace throughout the race but was unfortunate to miss out on a points finish after being forced wide on the final lap.
Following a positive Free Practice 3 session, Manzi entered the Tissot Superpole with confidence. However, a lack of grip prevented him from extracting the full potential of the bike, leaving him 20th fastest wi th a best lap of 1’49.133. Starting 19th on the grid after a penalty adjustment, the reigning WorldSSP World Champion made an excellent launch and immediately gained several positions during the opening lap.
Over the course of the 18-lap race, the Italian rider maintained a strong and consistent pace, steadily moving through the field. His determined charge was rewarded with 12th place at the chequered flag, gaining seven positions from his starting spot and collecting important championship points.
Gardner also looked set for a positive result after qualifying 15th and lining up 13th on the grid. The Australian made a strong start and remained in the fight for points throughout the race, running close to teammate Manzi and showing encouraging race pace. Unfortunately, Gardner’s efforts were undone on the final lap when contact from another rider forced him wide at Turn 12. The incident dropped him down the order, with 17th at the finish and denying him the points his performance deserved.
The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team will return to action on Sunday for the final day of competition at MotorLand Aragón, with the Superpole Race scheduled for 11:10 local time, followed by Race 2 at 15:30.
FULL SUPERPOLE RESULTS
FULL RACE ONE RESULTS
Stefano Manzi – Superpole: P20 / Race 1: P12
“We made a significant step forward from qualifying to the race, which is definitely encouraging. Unfortunately, we couldn’t fully show our potential in Superpole, and starting from the back always makes things more difficult. That said, I think we managed the race well and our pace was quite solid. Recovering several positions gives us confidence heading into tomorrow. We know it won’t be easy starting from the back again, but we’ll continue working hard to improve and aim to fight closer to the front from the very beginning.”
Remy Gardner – Superpole: P15 / Race 1: P17
“It’s frustrating because our race was heavily compromised by another rider on the final lap. Overall, the pace was decent and I felt competitive throughout the race. I was preparing to make a move and challenge for more positions in the closing stages, but after being forced wide at Turn 12 I lost several places and the opportunity to score points. It’s disappointing, but we still have another day ahead and I’m confident we can bounce back and fight for a stronger result on Sunday.”
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