De Rosa does it at last: the Italian takes maiden WorldSSP victory in rain-hit Mandalika Race 1
A long wait is over as Raffaele De Rosa claimed his first WorldSSP win after resisting late-race pressure from the 2021 Champion, Dominique Aegerter
The drama throughout the 19-lap FIM Supersport World Championship was relentless at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Race 1 for the Pirelli Indonesian Round as Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) claimed victory in a rain-impacted opening race. The rain started to fall just before the race started before getting harder in the opening stages, with riders who opted to stay out on slick tyres benefitting as the rain eased after a short period.
The rain started to fall in the opening four laps of the race, with the race lead being held by numerous riders looked to take control of the race. At around the halfway stage, De Rosa was able to break away at the front of the field in search of his maiden victory, with the Italian rider claiming his first WorldSSP victory at the 89th time of asking.
De Rosa withstood pressure from 2021 Champion Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) in the final two laps of the race as he held on to claim Kawasaki’s 45th WorldSSP win and end a streak of 21 Yamaha victories stretching back to Estoril 2020, when Lucas Mahias claimed victory. De Rosa’s victory means he becomes the third-oldest rider to claim their maiden WorldSSP victory, at 34 years, 7 months and 26 days old. He is also the first Italian to win on a Kawasaki in WorldSSP.
Federico Caricasulo (VFT Racing) claimed the first podium for VFT Racing in his debut race for the team, his third of the 2021 season. He had led the race in the opening stages, including on the first lap as he overtook Aegerter at Turn 10, but fell back to third as Aegerter found some late-race pace. Podiums for Aegerter and Caricasulo mean Yamaha have now claimed 50 podiums in the 2021 season.
P1 Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura)
“After this time, I did it! I am really happy. At the finale of the season, we went very fast. My pace was good. I want this because my team, my family, my sponsors deserve it. I’m really happy. Tomorrow, we try again!”
P2 Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha)
“It was a difficult race with all the small drops of rain. The track was little bit wet in some corners and drying after a few laps, then a little bit more rain came again. At the start, I didn’t want to risk too much. I fell back a little bit but at the end, I felt I was the strongest rider on track. When tomorrow is dry, for sure I try to fight for the victory.”
P3 Federico Caricasulo (VFT Racing)
“I’m really happy because my plan was not to come here! VFT Racing gave me this opportunity. When I came, I didn’t think it would be possible to be on the front row and on the podium, but we did it immediately. I’m really happy. The bike and the team are working very well. Now I can’t wait for tomorrow because today I had a little problem in the last two laps with the front tyre. If I solve that for tomorrow, we can fight for the win.”
WorldSSP Results Race 1
1. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura)
2. Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.105s
3. Federico Caricasulo (VFT Racing) +3.108s
4. Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) +3.671s
5. Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha ParkinGO Team) +4.312s
6. Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +6.054s
Championship Standings (after Race 1, Round 13)
1. Dominique Aegerter (SUI) Yamaha (401 points)
2. Steven Odendaal (RSA) Yamaha (323 points)
3. Manuel Gonzalez (ESP) Yamaha (286 points)
WorldSSP Results Tissot Superpole
1. Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) 1’36.288
2. Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha ParkinGO Team) +0.223s
3. Federico Caricasulo (VFT Racing) +0.262s
For more info checkout our dedicated World Supersport News page superbike-news.co.uk/world-supersport/
Or visit the official World Superbike website worldsbk.com
