WorldSBK Catalunya: Aegerter maintains advantage in WorldSSP race one

Ten Kate Yamaha’s Dominique Aegerter dominated WorldSSP race one with a three-second advantage at Barcelona on Saturday.

An early red flag gave way to a dramatic sprint race as Evan Bros. Yamaha’s Lorenzo Baldassarri held off Puccetti Kawasaki’s Can Öncü and Federico Caricasulo in the battle for second. The Althea Ducati unlucky to miss out on a podium position on the final lap.

Aegerter headed the grid for his fifth pole of the year with Öncü and Caricasulo alongside on the front row. Title-rival Baldassarri threatening behind as the Evan Bros. R6 lined up in fourth.

The might of the Ducati promoted Caricasulo into the lead as the lights went out, Aruba’s Nicolo Bulega joining for second with Aegerter dropped to third. Peter Sebestyen crashing out in the opening action.

A Ducati swap found Bulega in charge next time around before Caricasulo dropped back to fourth. Aegerter opening the door as Öncü capitalised and the pair swept through to second and third. The red flag brought out as lap two began with the stricken Yamaha still languishing on track after catching fire.

A quick restart saw the positions neutralised as the original grid reformed for a 12-lap sprint. Caricasulo once again grabbing the holeshot from once and Bulega as Baldassarri remained in fourth. Aegerter dropped down to sixth behind Adrian Huertas before the Ten Kate rider hit back as the opening lap unfolded.

Caricasulo was repeatedly under pressure as Öncü made moves for the lead, Baldassarri utilising the slipstream to slingshot the pair with the two Italians continuing to swap positions as the opening sector played out.

Baldassarri held the lead halfway round lap two as Aegerter sat on the wheels of Caricasulo. The Althea rider back out front as the