Saturday

Now is not the time …

As a Dutch team, it suits Ten Kate Racing better to be quiet now because of Victor Steeman’s critical situation.

No explanation about the fourth place of our world champion Dominique Aegerter, nor any announcement about Leonardo Taccini other than that he has broken his wrist.

Out of respect for the Steeman family and the battle Victor is now fighting in hospital, nothing but silence from our side and wishing strength to Victor and to all those who love him.

Sunday

Aegerter breaks record with thirteenth World Supersport win at Portimão, Taccini out of action due to injury

Dominique Aegerter won the second World Supersport race at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve on Sunday afternoon. In a very exciting battle, the reigning world champion kept his cool and struck on the last lap of the race, thus taking his 13th win of the season and setting a new record in the class. Leonardo Taccini was unable to start after breaking his right wrist in Race 1 on Saturday afternoon.

Aegerter started from pole position but he was immediately pushed wide by his competitors. Therefore, just as in Race 1, quite a fight awaited him. The Swiss rider rode mostly outside the top three in the first part of the race but knew in the closing stages when it was time to attack.

With a clever overtaking move, the 32-year-old Aegerter took over the lead and built up enough margin to cross the line as the winner. With the thirteenth win of the year he broke Andrea Locatelli’s record of most wins in a single season and Aegerter’s lead in the championship now stands at 45 points.

For Leonardo Taccini, the weekend came to an end on Saturday afternoon on the final lap of Race 1. The Italian had achieved his best qualifying result of the season and was riding in a points position, however he was hit by another rider on the last lap and broke his right wrist in the crash.

Dominique Aegerter: “It was a fantastic race, I had a big battle with a lot of riders. I tried many times to overtake Caricasulo in the first corner but he could fight back every time. I think we did this for twelve or thirteen laps. In the final part of the race I tried to overtake him in a different spot and then I could manage to take my thirteenth victory of the season. It’s fantastic and we extended the lead in the championship again.

It’s been a big effort from everyone to achieve these 13 wins, it’s not only me who rides the bike, but also the commitment of the team, the sponsors, and of course Yamaha. Nothing changes for me going into the final six races, I will approach the races the same as usual and try to fight for the podium or the race win, starting in San Juan where I have great memories of my championship win last year.”

Kervin Bos – Ten Kate Racing team manager: “An amazing race that Dominique managed to ride today in Portimão. This was once again the best race ever from him and Ten Kate Racing. What a fighting spirit and great timing, we are immensely proud to witness this and to continue to fight in the championship. The partners of the team have earned this, we thank everyone and move on to the next one.

For Leonardo it is very disappointing that the weekend went the way it did for him. He was in good shape and was on his way to score points again, unfortunately contact with another rider caused him to crash and break his wrist. In the coming days we will see what this means for the overseas races.”