MV Agusta 1-2 in World Supersport opener
Images by Russell Colvin
Jules Cluzel has become the third rider to win back-to-back world supersport races at Phillip Island with an all-the-way triumph in today’s 18-lap race.
The Frenchman was shadowed by his MV Agusta teammate Lorenzo Zanetti for most of the journey before pulling away in the final few laps and recording a 3.494-second victory, with Gino Rea (Honda) claiming the final spot on the podium after a tough battle with fellow Briton Kyle Smith (Honda).
The two other riders to have won consecutive world supersport races at Phillip Island are Cluzel’s countryman Sebastien Charpentier in 2005-2006 and Kenan Sofuoglu in 2012-2013.
Sofuoglu was battling at the front in today’s race before running off the circuit at turn one on lap six. The three-time world champion then fell back to last before carving his way back to sixth position, with Thai rider Ratthapark Wilairot (Honda) in fifth.
Aussie wildcards Aiden Wagner (Yamaha) and Glenn Scott (Honda) scored world championship points in 13th and 14th, with Alex Phillis (Honda) 17th.
The second round of the world supersport title will be held in Thailand on March 22.
World Supersport race results
- Cluzel
- Zanetti 3.49
- Rea 8.63
- Smith 8.66
- Wilairot 10.66
- Sofuoglu 18.60
- Baldolini 18.70
- Rolfo 18.74
- Schmitter 21.333
- Jacobsen 26.448
- Gamarino 26.979
- Faccani 26.992
- Wagner 34.058
- Scott 36.066
- Menghi 36.62
- Wahr 37.284
- Phillis 42.09
- Clarke 67.842
- Ramirez 67.976
