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The official race report service of Kawasaki Racing Team.

30 May 2021

Another Podium For Öttl At Estoril

For the second time in two days Philipp Öttl competed to win an FIM Supersport World Championship race in Portugal and in scoring a third place he secured two podiums from his two race starts. Can Öncü showed his improving pace to score seventh place and important championship points in Race Two.

In bright and sunny conditions a determined Öttl made a great start on his Ninja ZX-6R and held the lead for the first 14 of 18 laps. His early attempt to gap the following riders almost worked but eventual retiree Steven Odendaal and sixth place rider Federico Caricasulo remained close enough to make it an early three way fight for the win, until several other riders caught up and entered the battle.

With crashes all around and other riders finding great finishing pace from lower starting positions Philipp was eventually third, a result which - added to his Race One runner-up spot on Saturday - promotes him to third position in the overall championship rankings.

Öncü was determined to make up for the disappointment of a retirement in the opening race at Estoril on Saturday, and set about his Sunday task with enthusiasm and pace. He got up to sixth place in the early laps but slowly slipped back, rallying to finish seventh and become the second best placed Kawasaki rider on the day giving the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team two riders in the top ten.

In the championship points Philipp is third overall with 52, Can is ranked 13th with 17 points.

The Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team’s home round at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is next up, between 11-13 June.

Philipp Öttl, stated: “I had a fantastic start and tried to pull away in the beginning of the race. But this abused my tyres a little bit. I saw that there were three of us in that early top group, but then more and more riders came through. My tyres, compared to yesterday, were a little bit more used, but in the end we got another podium, which helps us for the championship. This was a really difficult race and towards the end the track was hot and greasy. Some riders made mistakes but today we finished the race, like we should have done in Aragon. I am happy for this. The team did an amazing job again all weekend long; just like the first round and during testing. The bike is up there.”

Can Öncü, stated: “I felt really good in the race and I think we made a big improvement. This was important so I am really happy. Compared to Motorland Aragon we made a big step. On the bike we made real improvements on the set-up and I can ‘feel’ the bike now. In Misano we can put a bit more. With a one weekend break in action, if I work hard in training we can be even more ready than this weekend.”

Motorland podium rider Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) fell from a leading position after a strong ride until that point, and leaves Portugal seventh overall in the championship.

Michel Fabrizio (Motozoo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) retired from the race today and is 20th overall, with two championship points. Leonardo Taccini (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) crashed at turn three in Race Two today. Shogo Kawasaki (Motozoo Puccetti Racing) was 22nd in the race and is yet to score points.

                                                      #NinjaSpirit