The Evan Bros Yamaha R6 rider started his super Saturday by flying to a maiden pole position in just his first attempt, following a late Superpole charge. The only rider to break the 1:52 barrier, the Italian edged himself 0.344 seconds clear of Ten Kate Yamaha’s Dominique Aegerter, who would line up second for his ninth WSSP front row start.
A strong start from the middle of the front row gave Aegerter the lead through turn one, but the lead was soon relinquished to Can Öncü. Fighting back at the start of lap two, the Swiss rider knew he would have to dig deep to overcome his rivals. With Baldassarri close for company, battle commenced. The polesitter made his way by the 2021 World Supersport Champion and immediately reduced the gap to the leader. However, it wasn’t until lap nine when ‘Balda’ made his move.
Capitalising on a mistake by Öncü in the third sector, the Yamaha rider swiftly took the lead. Eager to stay with the Italian, Aegerter quickly fought through, taking second with a clean pass at turn four and claimed the lead a lap later. With two laps to go, the 25-year-old struck back, passing the reigning Champion at turn two and immediately looked to open a gap.
Unable to shake off the young rookie, the ten-time victor made a crucial mistake on the final lap, relinquishing the lead with just two corners remaining. Baldassarri swung into the final corner ahead but lost the front mid-way around the long looping left-hander. Sliding towards his rival, the pair touched but miraculously stayed aboard their machines, crossing the line in first and second places, with Baldassarri claiming a debut victory in Aragón.
EAB Racing Team’s Glenn van Straalen had a solid, but lonely, ride to fourth. The Dutch rider made a strong start and was locked in battle early on. Overcoming the challenge, he settled into fourth place and began to catch the leading group. As the pace picked up, he was unable to match the leaders and settled for fourth position.
Celebrating his 18th birthday, Unai Orradre’s World Supersport debut didn’t go according to plan. The Spaniard ran into trouble on the opening lap and ended the race in 27th place.
Patrick Hobelsberger brought his Kallio Racing Yamaha home in a strong eighth place while Peter Sebestyen, Andy Verdoia claimed points in 14th and 15th places.
A strong start for Marcel Brenner saw him fade from the top ten battle to finish 17th ahead of Leonardo Taccini and Jules Cluzel, who suffered a crash on lap two.
World Supersport action resumes on Sunday with warm up at 09:25 (GMT+2). The second FIM World Supersport race commences at 12:30 local time.
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