Aegerter denies Baldassarri WorldSSP Race 2 victory with last-lap pass
Reigning Champion Dominique Aegerter is now potentially one win away from becoming a two-time World Supersport Champion
Swiss rider Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) took a last-lap victory in the FIM Supersport World Championship at the Circuito San Juan Villicum to put him on the verge of making WorldSSP history. The reigning Champion extended his lead to 72 points over Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) following the Turn 15 overtake on the final lap during a dramatic Motul Argentinean Round as race leaders crashed out and there were final lap battles to decide the podium places.
Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura WorldSSP) was controlling the race from first position but his race came to an end on Lap 11 after the Italian crashed at Turn 9 from the lead of the race. Although able to re-join the race, he brought his machine into the pits and retired from the race. This allowed Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team), Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) and Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing) to fight at the front of the field for victory.
With Baldassarri out in front, Aegerter and Caricasulo were battling with each other which allowed the Italian rookie to extend his gap at the front of the field; Caricasulo dropped behind Aegerter initially after an error on Lap 14 in the first sector, with Aegerter taking advantage. Once Aegerter got ahead of Caricasulo, he closed in on Baldassarri over the final few laps and he did so, passing Baldassarri into Turn 10 on Lap 17. Baldassarri resisted Aegerter until the final lap before Aegerter made a move on the Italian at Turn 15 on the final lap to take his 15th win of the 2022 season.
Baldassarri ran wide following the move from Aegerter which allowed Caricasulo to take advantage and move into second place, with Caricasulo taking his third podium of the season and his best result of 2022 as he put himself on 25 podiums in WorldSSP. Baldassarri’s third place means he now has 15 WorldSSP podiums but the nine-point swing between Aegerter and Baldassarri in Race 2 means Aegerter can win the title in the next race, when WorldSSP visits Indonesia.
TOUGH WEEKEND FOR AUSTRALIAN OLI BAYLISS..
Starting the weekend strong, rounding out Combined Free Practice in 15th place, Oli Bayliss (BARNI Spark Racing Team) came home in point scoring contention in Race 1, crossing the line in 15th place despite feeling ‘uncomfortable’ with the front end of his Ducati after the first 6 laps.
The 19-year old made big improvements during morning warm up, further seeing a boost of confidence on board his Ducati Panigale V2. But, his chances of improving his Race 1 result ended in heartbreak after being taken out on the first lap, at the second corner of Circuito San Juan Villicum.
Oli Bayliss: “Race 2 didn’t go to plan at Circuito San Juan Villicum. We unfortunately go taken out on the first lap, at the second corner. The Barni Racing Team and I made a big change in warm up that gave me a good feeling with the Ducati Panigale V2, which is very promising as we head into the final two rounds of the 2022 WorldSBK Championship. I am happy that as a team, we have a good starting point for next round, but I am disappointed about the outcome of Race 2, but happy we made a step with myself and the bike. Bring on Mandalika in two weeks’ time.”
In just his Rookie season, Oli Bayliss is currently sitting 15th in the overall Championship standings with two rounds remaining.
