Misano WorldSBK: Aegerter wins WorldSSP after track limits drama

WorldSSP Champion Dominique Aegerter claimed another race victory on Saturday after track limits decided the podium after the flag.

The Swiss rider collected his sixth top step trophy after heartbreak for home talent Lorenzo Baldassarri saw the Evan Bros. rider demoted a position having crossed the line a tenth ahead of his title rival. Aruba Ducati’s race-long leader Nicolo Bulega faded in the final stages to complete the podium in third.

Ten Kate Yamaha’s Aegerter was in control of the grid as the lights released for the 18 lap supersport race but it was Bulega who grabbed the lead through turn one. Baldassarri battling Puccetti Kawasaki’s Yari Montella for third with teammate Can Öncü holding off Althea’s Federico Caricasulo in the top six.

A three rider crash found Renzi Corse’s Matteo Patacca, MV Agusta’s Bahattin Sofuoglu and Prodina’s Tom Booth-Amos down at turn eight on the opening lap with Sofuoglu able to rejoin the action. EAB’s Glenn van Straalen also out in the early stages with a technical retirement.

Bulega pulled a second on the defending champion as the race unfolded with new lap record pace, Baldassarri assessing his title rival for a move for second

Motozoo’s Jeffrey Buis became the next to fall with Barni’s Oli Bayliss relinquishing top ten potential on his way to the back of the pack. Orelac’s Raffaele de Rosa mirroring the Australian’s turn three crash next time around.

Stefano Manzi ran eighth on the Dynavolt Triumph with Marcel Brenner’s VFT Yamaha the next in his sights. MV Agusta’s Mattia Casadei and GMT94’s Jules Cluzel completing the top ten behind as Ben Currie became the latest casualty of the Italian venue on the second Motozoo machine.

Just Aegerter and Öncü - in second and fourth