Yamaha 1-2 in Opening WorldSSP300 Race of 2022 in Aragón, Garcia Abella in Podium Battle

09-04-2022

Yamaha 1-2 in Opening WorldSSP300 Race of 2022 in Aragón, Garcia Abella in Podium Battle

Marc Garcia led home bLU cRU graduate Alvaro Diaz for a Yamaha 1-2 in the opening FIM Supersport 300 World Championship race of the season at MotorLand Aragón, with 2021 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup winner Iker Garcia Abella in the podium battle.

Having qualified third, Diaz overtook pole-sitter Garcia going into Turn 1, fighting with his fellow Spaniard over the next few laps. 2017 WorldSSP300 champion Garcia then pulled clear, with Diaz also gapping those behind, and the pair crossed the line well ahead of third.

Spanish youngster Garcia Abella scythed his way through from 17th on the grid to join the battle for the final spot on the podium in the second half of the 12-lap race. The Yamaha MS Racing rider crossed the line in 11th, but was less than 1.5 seconds off the rostrum.

Elsewhere, Humberto Maier had qualified a strong 10th but dropped to 18th at the finish, having been shuffled down the order on lap two. Fenton Seabright made up places from 22nd on the grid, finishing just 0.102s off his fellow Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup graduate in 20th.

Next for the WorldSSP300 riders will be Race 2 tomorrow at 15:15 (CET), after a 15-minute Warm Up at 09:50.

For Race 1 results, click here.

Marc Garcia: P1

It was an amazing day for me. Pole position and then the win, I tried my best and I hope to repeat this tomorrow. It was a bit difficult, I was nervous because obviously I didn’t have any help for the slipstream at the end. In this category anything can happen, so we have to keep working to have the best chance in Race 2.

Alvaro Diaz: P2

I’m very happy, the race was difficult because of the wind. It’s good to start the year with a podium, my second in my career in this category. In the last two laps, I do some errors but I’m pleased I was able to bring it to the finish in second. In Race 2, I think I can fight for another podium and I hope to go one better.

Iker Garcia Abella: P11

It was a very fun race! I fight with a lot of experienced riders, and I think tomorrow that I can battle again for the podium. The objective is to try to get a top three finish, my team have been working really hard and I think we can get this if we do a good strategy.