Airohriders among protagonists of the first round of the WSBK in Aragon

Finally, the WSBK, the World Championship dedicated to derivatives bike, is back on track.

On the Motorland of Aragon, the first round of the 2021 season was held and many Airohriders were on track; from Andrea Locatelli, the defending WSSP600 World Champion debuted on WSBK factory Yamaha R1, to Manuel Gonzalez and Maria Herrera to get to Thomas Brianti, Kevin Sabatucci, Bruno Ieraci, Filippo Palazzi and Marco Gaggi on WSSP300 category. But also new riders that become part of the great Airoh family: Danny Webb, not really a novelty but a great return, the Spaniard Marc Alcoba and the Hungarian Peter Sebastyen although he had to give up in this first round. Alfonso Coppola did not race due to the injury suffered in the last CIV race in Misano and so, in his place, was called Beatriz Neila, defending champion of the Women’s European Cup, which dominated the Misano weekend riding the Yamaha R3 of Team Trasimeno.

In the premier class, which was dominated by Jonathan Rea with two wins and a second position, an excellent debut for Andrea Locatelli who finished all three races scheduled in the points area, ensuring the ninth position in the world ranking.

Andrea Locatelli: “I am quite happy because in the end we finish P9. It is not easy on the first and second lap for me, so now we need to work on this but for sure today’s races were difficult in the wet conditions. In the middle of Race 2, I was able to go quite fast here and the feeling was good. Overall, I learned a lot during the weekend, and with the guys on the team together we did a really good job. Today is one of those days where you can be unlucky or lucky, you know? Because maybe if we tried to use the slick tyre, it could have been a good chance for us to do something – but okay, we lose this opportunity but it is only my first race weekend in WorldSBK. Now we go on to Estoril and hope to push much more because I have more confidence on the R1 and I think this track is a really good opportunity for us.”

In WSSP600, Manuel Gonzalez finished fifth in Race1 on Saturday while on Sunday he did not go beyond the eleventh place; meanwhile Danny Webb dropped out for the pain caused by fractured left forearm from which he has not yet recovered, and Marc Alcoba, who fell on Saturday but maker of beautiful race on Sunday when he fought for the victory for most of the race, ending seventh.

Very well instead Maria Herrera always entering into the points, leaves Aragon with the second position in the special classification of the Challenge WSSP600.

Instead in the WSSP300 where the Airohriders were not particularly bright and where the tenth and ninth place, respectively at the end of the races on Saturday and Sunday, are the best results of the weekend.

Except for the WSSP300 that will be back on track on the weekend of 11-12-13 June in Misano Adriatico for the GP of San Marino, the riders of the Premier class and 600 will be already engaged next weekend on the Portuguese track of Estoril.

follow: Airoh Helmet Racing