GMT94 Yamaha’s Kyle Smith celebrated a superb second-place finish in the tricky wet conditions of WorldSSP race two at Magny-Cours, with Kallio Racing Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team’s Hannes Soomer joining him on the podium, repeating his third-place result from Saturday.
After storming to pole position on only his second WorldSSP weekend with the GMT94 Yamaha crew, Smith endured a difficult opening race, falling twice and dropping out of contention.
In Race 2, the British rider slotted into second at the start and from there produced a faultless performance, while several riders crashed out behind in the treacherous conditions, to claim another podium and his best result since Qatar 2016.
“It was a long race. I’m happy to finish on the podium but a little frustrated that we couldn’t catch the leader, but I struggled to get heat into the tyres with all the water on track,” said Smith.
“I maintained my pace throughout and all-in-all I’m happy for the team, it was a good result. All weekend there’s been wet conditions but every time the track is slightly different and in the races it was really difficult to push 100 per cent.
“I’d like to thank the team and everyone who has supported me and I’m sorry that Jules Cluzel couldn’t be here for this one.”
Former champion Lucas Mahias won the race after 2020 champion Andrea Locatelli fell off on the warm-up lap.
