ParkinGo’s Manuel Gonzalez clinched his first WorldSSP victory after a race-long battle with championship leader Dominique Aegerter at Magny-Cours on Sunday.
The Swiss rider fought hard in the closing stages to cross the line just 0.155a behind his fellow Yamaha R6, with Can Öncü completing the podium celebrations for the first time in his Supersport career.
Luca Bernardi was in charge as the 19-lap Supersport race stormed off the line, pole-man Aegerter sitting second as Jules Cluzel claimed third, from sixth on the grid. Federico Caricasulo was on a charge as the Italian made his way through for fifth, with Gonzalez ahead.
Drama ensued at the midpoint of the first lap, Bernardi falling through the Lycée chicane with Aegerter and Cluzel collected in the aftermath as the red flag came out.
Once again a 12-lap sprint faced the 600 class as Sunday’s race restarted, Aegerter the only of the fallers able to make the grid second time around. Cluzel and Bernardi take to the medical centre for checks with both riders conscious. The pair were immediately transferred to Never hospital with the Frenchman suffering a head injury and cervical strain while Bernardi received treatment for a back injury.
Aegerter took the holeshot from Niki Tuuli as the race fired up, Gonzalez and Öncü advancing on the Finn to claim the podium positions as Philipp Oettl completed the top-five.
Caricasulo faced opposing fortunes for take two, unable to match his rapid start from the earlier run and left in ninth second time around.
Gonzalez claimed the lead as lap two began, Oettl bettering Tuuli for fourth as Kevin Manfredi, and Andy Verdoia headed Steven Odendaal in the top-eight.
Aegerter was back out front on lap three. Gonzalez and Öncü battling for second as Odendaal began to make progress brought the pack, the South African rising to sixth, and taking Caricasulo with him.
The battling pair were side by side as lap four wound down, the Ten Kate maintaining overall control while the Spaniard set the fastest lap of the race so far. The remainder of the top-10 running personal best times as the pace increased.
The second half saw Gonzales struggling to get past Aegerter for the lead, Caricasulo having a similar issue with Odendaal further back. While Verdoia and Raffaele de Rosa bickered on the fringe of the top-10 as the pair repeatedly switched positions with three laps to go.
Gonzalez hit the front for the penultimate lap, Aegerter attempting to strike back before eventually making the move stick as the last lap began but the Spaniard was in the hot-seat as the chequered flag came into view after a move at the 180 hairpin.
Gonzalez claimed the victory from Aegerter and Öncü, Oettl heading Tuuli, Odendaal and Caricasulo in the top-seven group.
