Brit Graeme Gowland proved his talent in the World Supersport race today at the Valencia circuit after running in the top six before a mechanical brought an end to his day whilst his Benjan Racing team mate Vesa Kallio once again scored valuable points.
Gowland produced a good start on his Honda CBR600RR when the lights went out and moved into 10th position. Gowland stayed in the top 10 in the early laps before moving up to 6th after overhauling Katsuaki Fujiwara and then fellow Brit Jonathan Rea. Gowland was on the pace and began to gap Rea and close in on 5th place man Gianluca Nannelli. However as Gowland braked for the final corner on the 9th lap he realised there was fluid on his rear tyre and he headed for the gravel and out of the race.
Kallio did not make as good a start and was in 25th place at the end of lap one but he pushed hard and was up to 21st by lap 4. Kallio relegated Miguel Praia on lap 11 to move into the points and when the chequered flag was waved Kallio was up to 14th and grabbing 2 more world points.
Gowland: “I felt really comfortable and was really beginning to reel in the guy in 5th but then as I braked into the last turn the rear end came round on me and I knew I definitely had some fluid on the tyre as I had had a few other moments so I had to go into the gravel and put it on its side. I am gutted that I had to retire but it was just one of those things which was nobody’s fault as it was a clip which had broken.”
Kallio: “I am happy to get more points on the board and I feel it was a good result considering I was down in 25th on lap one.”
