The 2019 FIM World Supersport 300 Championship continued in Assen, Netherlands for the Motul Dutch Round April 12-14 in back-to-back race weekends.
Following his maiden race in Round 1, Phillip Island Circuit backed Tom Bramich (Carl Cox-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) was ready to improve on his opening round result of 24th position.
With more than 50 riders on the 2019 WorldSSP300 grid, practice and qualifying sessions are split into Group A and Group B, with the top 30 from the two groups qualifying for Sunday’s race. For all riders who qualify outside of the top 30, they are granted one final opportunity to line up on the grid with a ‘last chance’ race on Saturday afternoon, and the top six over the line will compete in Sunday’s main race.
Bramich, in Group B started his weekend with pace.
“We only completed 3 installation laps in FP1 on Friday to check the bike as the temperature was only 2° and we needed to save the tyre. In FP2 I instantly felt comfortable on the track and finished 13th fastest in my group”
Bramich said.
The Australian was able to improve his position, up to 12th fastest in Saturday’s FP3, only 1.8 seconds off the top time before a snow-storm came across the circuit disrupting the Superpole qualifying.
“It was something I’ve never experienced in my life, setting lap times in the pouring snow! We were a bit unfortunate that I only got 1 lap in before it snowed and rained heavily, as it left me 13th in Group B and 31st overall. I was disappointed because we didn’t get to show our true potential, which could have been around 15th overall”
Bramich said.
As the weather played havoc it caused the cancellation of the Last Chance race, resulting in the top 36 riders from the two combined Superpole sessions to line up on the grid for Sunday’s main race.
An encouraging warm-up session boosted Bramich’s confidence as Sunday action got underway.
“I had a good feeling on the bike and riding with fast groups gave me lots of confidence for the race”
Bramich said.
Despite a strong start in the race, climbing up to 22nd position in the opening two laps Bramich unfortunately crashed out.
“I was just too eager to get into the fight for championship points and made a mistake. I’m really disappointed because I finally felt as if I’d gelled with the bike and I could fight for points”
Bramich explained.
View the full WorldSSP 300 race report here www.worldsbk.com
The 2019 FIM World Supersport 300 Championship now heads to Italy for the Pirelli Italian Round in Imola, 10-12 May.
To follow Tom’s European campaign follow him on Facebook or Instagram
{gallery}gallery/WorldSBK_2019/TomBramich/Rd2_Assen{/gallery}
