Source: Supplied.

Sandro Cortese (Kallio Racing) has been crowned champion of the 2018 FIM World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP) in Qatar, while the final WorldSBK race of the year was cancelled due to severe track conditions.

Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) won the final race of the WorldSSP race of the season in extraordinary circumstances, overtaking title contenders Cortese and Jules Cluzel (NRT) three laps from the chequered flag.

The Kallio Racing rider finished second to become the champion after his main rival crashed out dramatically in the final lap. Tension was at an all-time high on Saturday evening, with the race itself up in the air until the reconnaissance lap.

Puddles scattered around the Losail International Circuit after the afternoon’s storms kept the riders on their toes on what was an otherwise dry track, but the consensus was for the final race to go ahead.

Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) finished third after a fantastic climb through from seventh on the grid, with Thomas Gradinger (NRT) in fourth position. Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) rounded out the top five.

Following a severe rain and sand storm on Saturday morning in Qatar, it was announced that WorldSBK race two has been cancelled, signalling an early end to the 2018 season. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) will end the season with 545 points and 17 victories. Whilst Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) takes second position in the championship, 23 points ahead of Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team).

Detailed results