WorldSBK Phillip Island: Maiden WorldSSP win for Montella as Caricasulo crashes out

Puccetti Kawasaki’s Yari Montella claimed his first victory in WorldSSP with a dramatic battle at Phillip Island.

The first Kawasaki victor of the 2022 season came on the Italian’s maiden podium in the class. His race-long rival Federico Caricasulo crashing the Althea Ducati out of second on the final lap with Aruba Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega and Puccetti’s Can Öncü completing the podium celebrations in the final stages.

The rain returned for the first race of the weekend with Caricasulo launching the Panigale from pole ahead of Bulega and Montella while WorldSSP Champion Dominique Aegerter lined up in fourth.

18 laps in cold and wet conditions kicked off with Caricasulo taking the holeshot from the front row starters, Öncü and Lorenzo Baldassarri through on Aegerter with Montella up to second as the opening sector completed.

A lightning start from Tom Booth-Amos found the Brit into the top ten on the Motozoo Kawasaki from 19th on the grid while Öncü challenged for the final podium position as the opening lap came to conclusion. Niki Tuuli was immediately out on the MV Augusta with both Dynavolt Triumphs suffering issues as Hannes Soomer pulled one into the pits and Stefano Manzi trailed the other in last position.

Caricasulo held a half second lead as lap three began, Montella running over a second clear of Öncü in the runner up position with Aegerter now ahead of the battling Bulega and Baldassarri.

Montella began to challenge for the lead as lap four fired up, the Kawasaki less than a tenth off the wheels of the Panigale V2 ahead before he took charge on the run to the first corner. Caricasulo retuning the favour as the lap played out.

Raffaele de Rosa completed an Italian trio at the back of the top seven with five laps