Italiano
SIXTH PLACE IN RACE 2, STUNNING COMEBACK FOR LORENZO BALDASSARRI!
A sweet end to the Portuguese weekend for Team Go Eleven and Lorenzo Baldassarri; a great comeback in Race 2 to secure sixth place! Consistency, speed, and determination in overtaking, taking advantage of a formidable second and final sector.
In the Warm Up, Balda tried to slightly change his riding position, trying to put more weight on the rear; while it’s difficult to change the riding style, on these Superbikes it can make a big difference. The feeling on the bike was good, and just small adjustments were needed for the Superpole Race.
Warm Up:
P 1 N. Bulega 1.40.216
P 2 S. Lowes + 0.149
P 3 A. Lowes + 0.327
…
P 13 L. Baldassarri + 1.411
In the Superpole Race, the start wasn’t too strong, but the battle quickly turned on. Balda overtook Locatelli but couldn’t get a hold of the Italian Bimota rider, who opened up a few tenths of a second’s advantage. Petrucci got closer together with Alvaro Bautista, and the trio was faster, catching up with those ahead, but when the Spaniard took the lead, a gap opened up. The Go Eleven rider kept Petrucci behind, but narrowly missed out on the points and the grid reversal. Lorenzo, upon returning to the garage, said he was satisfied with his riding style and excited for Race 2.
Superpole Race:
P 1 N. Bulega 16’39.446
P 2 I. Lecuona + 1.882
P 3 M. Oliveira + 2.401
…
P 10 L. Baldassarri + 8.016
The best start came in Race 2, where the yellow Ducati managed to defend its position, immediately attacking Locatelli on the second lap. The pace was much stronger compared to yesterday; low 41, a best lap of 40.7, allowing the number 34 rider to gain tenths and positions. The second sector was a notable strength, where he managed to make the difference, then completing several attacks by capitalizing on an excellent exit from the final corner. He got close to Bassani and overtook him with four laps to go; then managed the gap and took home a solid sixth place! Lots of points, excellent consistency so far, and great determination in the battle.
Race 2:
P 1 N. Bulega 33’32.986
P 2 I. Lecuona + 1.967
P 3 M. Oliveira + 7.096
…
P 6 L. Baldassarri + 15.105
A weekend of growth, session after session, Balda and the team continued to improve, climbing the rankings. Remember, this is the second race of the season, and number 34 is still in the midst of learning the class, but with results like this, it’s possible to raise the bar a bit. The goal here in Portimao was to confirm the speed, and Team Go Eleven did it!
Now WorldSBK moves to Assen, a completely different track from Portimao, but incredibly fast and adrenaline-filled, where Baldassarri has good memories; April 17-19, Round 03!
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Rider):
“Yesterday, at the end of Race 1, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish two races today. I was exhausted, and the arm pump forced me to ride defensively. Then, looking at the data and taking advantage of a better riding position, I managed to secure a great result. The weekend was all about improvement. We overcame the difficulties together. The pace in Race 2 was very fast, and I found the bike easy to ride. In the second half of the race, I had podium pace, which allowed me to move up the standing. I’m happy, and I thank the whole team for their work. We’ve completed two very good rounds. Now we move on to Assen, a track I particularly love!”
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“Balda made a significant step forward today. We worked well with the whole team to give him a chance to rest his arms, but he also found a better position on the bike. In race 2, he was excellent, fast and determined in overtaking. He fought back and finished sixth on a weekend where he needed to confirm his performance. I particularly appreciated his reaction when Petrucci tried to pass him; from there, he focused on himself and took sixth place. We’re on the right track, even though it’s just the beginning. These results give us great confidence and morale!”
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