Broc Parkes (Yamaha World Supersport Team) and Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Supersport Team) earned a podium finish apiece after a dramatic WSS race at Vallelunga, eventually capitalising on their strong qualifying performances to go second and third respectively in the race. Parkes was 2.971 seconds from the win, with Laverty hanging on for third, despite riding with broken bones in his feet.
Starting from pole, Parkes was held up by other riders in the early laps, letting eventual winner Jonathan Rea run to a clear victory, even though Parkes set a new race lap record more than once in his attempt to catch the start-to-finish leader. Parkes’ new record is 1’39.419, set on lap 19 of 22.
Laverty and World Championship leader Andrew Pitt collided on lap 19 and Laverty was lucky to stay on, while Pitt slid into the gravel and was unable to restart. Laverty’s first WSS podium came in only his second WSS race, as he made a stand-in ride for injured team regular, Fabien Foret.
In the overall championship, Parkes is still in with a chance of the title itself, as he sits fourth overall, 30 points from Pitt with a maximum of 50 left to play for in the final two rounds.
Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) missed points by finishing 17th, while David Salom (Yamaha Spain World Supersport) finished two places behind. Jason Crowe (Yamaha Spain World Supersport) was 24th.
Broc Parkes (2nd – Yamaha World Supersport Team):
“It was a great race but at the start of it I was not able to push hard enough to get through the pack quickly enough and there were a few crazy guys in the bunch! I should have probably got past them and away with Jonathan a bit quicker. My bike felt better when it was a bit lighter, but I was a little too far back right at the end to get to Jonathan. Second was great anyway today and the Yamaha worked really well this weekend. We pulled the bike out of the box this weekend and it was great from the start.”
Eugene Laverty (3rd – Yamaha World Supersport Team):
“I had a little bit more pace on me than Andrew in some places and on one corner I had run a little bit deeper than normal. When I had come back Andrew was there. It was just a racing accident but I am sorry for Andrew. It’s brilliant to be on the podium so thanks to the Yamaha team for giving me this opportunity and I have been able to make the most of it.”
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team):
“Two good results for us today and it was a pity that Jonathan managed to get away because of all the traffic and overtaking, but we were able to keep the package together for both riders. Broc’s feeling became better at the end off the race, he was put under pressure after his team mate past him and I believe that made him sharper as well. Near the finish he was doing 1’39s, faster than the beginning. Eugene did really well to get on the podium and I know we will hear a lot about him in the future. After Andrew’s unfortunate crash, we are 30 points behind the leader, so the championship is not over yet. All in all a good weekend for us.”
Massimo Roccoli (17th - Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni):
“It is very disappointing not to get any points this weekend, because I had no feeling on the bike today. I felt fast, and the bike felt fast, but the time was not competitive and I could not push hard at the front or the rear. I will improve my mind before the next WS race, as I will race in the Italian series next week at Misano before we go to Magny-Cours.”
| 1. | Jonathan Rea | Honda | GBR | 36'48.656 |
| 2. | Broc Parkes | Yamaha | AUS | 0'02.971 |
| 3. | Eugene Laverty | Yamaha | GBR | 0'06.461 |
| 4. | Joan Lascorz | Honda | ESP | 0'07.135 |
| 5. | Barry Veneman | Suzuki | NED | 0'10.945 |
| 6. | Robbin Harms | Honda | DNK | 0'14.412 |
| 7. | Gianluca Nannelli | Honda | ITA | 0'14.557 |
| 8. | Didier Van Keymeulen | Suzuki | BEL | 0'19.286 |
| 9. | Mark Aitchinson | Triumph | AUS | 0'23.854 |
| 10. | Josh Hayes | Honda | USA | 0'31.193 |
| 11. | Ivan Clementi | Triumph | ITA | 0'31.327 |
| 12. | Joshua Brookes | Honda | AUS | 0'39.771 |
| 13. | Miguel Praia | Honda | POR | 0'40.957 |
| 14. | Terence Toti | Suzuki | ITA | 0'41.196 |
| 15. | Gianluca Vizziello | Honda | ITA | 0'41.337 |
| 17. | Massimo Roccoli | Yamaha | ITA | 0'44.790 |
| 19. | David Salom | Yamaha | ESP | 0'54.098 |
Manufacturers:
1. Honda 265
2. Yamaha 182
3. Suzuki 81
4. Triumph 68
5. Kawasaki 42
