News 25 Feb 2018

Mahias opens WorldSSP defence with Phillip Island win

Teenage debutant Toparis claims a point as West and Epis DNF.

Image: Russell Colvin.

GRT Yamaha’s Lucas Mahias has won the opening race of the 2018 World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP) at Phillip Island in a perfect beginning to his title defence.

Unfortunately for local fans the race was over before it even really began for Anthony West (EAB West Racing Kawasaki) from the front row, a technical fault ending his assault.

At the front it was Mahias who led the way early, until a red flag was called following a crash from Michael Canducci (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) following three laps. From there a full restart was called, albeit only nine laps in duration with no requirement for pit-stops.

Once they got underway again for the final sprint it was Frenchman Mahias who went on to win by 1.274s, topping Randy Krummenacher (Evan Bros Yamaha) and class newcomer Sandro Cortese (Kallio Racing Yamaha), who got the result across the line alongside Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha). Fifth came Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing Triumph).

Meanwhile, leading Australian ended up being domestic regular Tom Toparis (Cube Racing Kawasaki) in P15. He was lightning quick from the start to run inside the top 10, meeting his goal of scoring at least a point on debut. WorldSSP regular Lachlan Epis (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) had his race end prematurely with a mechanical.

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