Saturday was a two-sided affair for the Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha, with Lorenzo Baldassarri taking a splendid second place after a complicated Superpole, but also Peter Sebestyen crashing, fortunately without consequences.
The day opened with Superpole, held on a dry track despite a few drops of rain, which certainly made conditions more complicated. It was an uphill start to the session for Baldassarri, who crashed at turn 12 but managed to get back on track with five minutes to go thanks to the quick work of the team: in the few minutes remaining Lorenzo gave his all, obtaining an excellent fourth position on the grid. A more 'quiet' Superpole for Sebestyen, author of eight laps and owner of 15th place, just three tenths from the top ten.
Race 1 got underway at 15.15, but was immediately interrupted when Peter crashed at the first turn and was therefore forced to end his race prematurely. In the second start - with the race reduced to 12 laps - Lorenzo got off to an excellent start, finishing the first lap in third place. As the race went on Baldassarri managed to stay in the group fighting for the podium, taking second place at the start of the final lap and holding on to it until the finish.
Tomorrow the Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team will be back on track. At 9.25 Baldassarri and Sebestyen will be in action for the warm-up, while at 12.30 the lights will go out for Race 2.
Superpole results #CatalanWorldSBK
P1 - Dominique Aegerter (Yamaha) 1'43"983
P2 - Can Oncu (Kawasaki) +1.078
P3 - Federico Caricasulo (Ducati) +1.206
P4 - Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, Yamaha) +1.213
P5 - Adrian Huertas (Kawasaki) +1.256
P15 - Peter Sebestyen (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, Yamaha) +1.783
Race 1 results #CatalanWorldSBK
P1 - Dominique Aegerter (Yamaha)
P2 - Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, Yamaha)
P3 - Can Oncu (Kawasaki)
P4 - Federico Caricasulo (Ducati)
P5 - Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta)
RET - Peter Sebestyen (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, Yamaha)
Lorenzo Baldassarri: "In Superpole I unfortunately ended up on a small patch of water at turn 12, and as a result I crashed hard. In the moments immediately after the crash I didn't feel 100%, but I gritted my teeth and took a good 4th position. I didn't know what to expect from the race, so a 2nd position is a fantastic result. We improved on yesterday, which is another positive side of the day. Now I have to rest, so that I can give everything again tomorrow".
Peter Sebestyen: "What can I say, unfortunately a crash in the first corner put an end to my race. Luckily I'm OK, so tomorrow I'll try to redeem myself".
Fabio Evangelista (Team Principal): "A bittersweet day today, no doubt about it. Lorenzo was fantastic in taking the podium, considering his less than ideal condition after his crash in Superpole: we are proud of his effort and his race. Peter was unfortunately unlucky, as crashes like that in the early stages can happen, but I'm sure he'll make up for it tomorrow".
Baldassarri grits his teeth and takes a splendid 2nd place in Race 1, crash for Sebestyen
