WorldSSP celebrates its 300th race this weekend as Aegerter chases a new record at the Autodrom Most, Czechia.
As the FIM Supersport World Championship heads to the Czech Republic for the 2022 Prosecco DOC Czech Round, there is plenty to celebrate for the class as it reaches a huge milestone. Race one at the Autodrom Most is set to be the 300th race in WorldSSP history but it also could be a historic milestone for reigning champion Dominique Aegerter.
The Ten Kate Yamaha rider is on a winning streak of nine victories which puts him level with 2020 Champion Andrea Locatelli - previously the longest winning streak in Supersport history. Victory for Aegerter in race one this weekend will put him clear of Locatelli’s record and the first rider to take ten consecutive wins in the class. The Swiss rider claimed a victory at Most in 2021 but found his winning streak from last year ended in the opening battle when he finished fourth, with Steven Odendaal, racing at the time for Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, claiming the win. Will the rider competing for that team now, Lorenzo Baldassarri, be able to prevent Aegerter writing more history? Or could Aruba.it’s Nicolo Bulega take his and Ducati’s first win of the 2022 season?
After a crash at Estoril left MV Agusta’s Niki Tuuli undergoing surgery and needing three toes amputated, the Finn will return to action at the Autodrom Most. Tuuli did get back on a bike earlier in July to begin his training but will race for the first time since Portugal on his MV Agusta F3 800 RR machine. In the 2021 Czech Round, Tuuli claimed two top-ten finishes for the Italian brand
Several riders will be looking for a podium finish in the Czech Republic to either continue their strong form or bounce back from difficulties at Donington Park. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti) currently sits fourth in the standings but has not had a podium since race two at Assen, whilst Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing) hasn’t been on the podium since race one there; the Dutchman is also aiming to bounce back from two Donington DNFs. Second Puccetti rider, Yari Montella, is looking for a first podium and, after two fourth place finishes in 2022, will be hoping that comes at Most.
Dynavolt Triumph’s Stefano Manzi produced another sensational comeback at Donington and the rookie will be hoping that he, along with teammate Hannes Soomer, can fight for Triumph’s first podium since 2012 whilst Ducati duo Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing) and Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) set their sights on the podium; Caricasulo aiming for his first of 2022 - after a positive showing in the Race of Champions - and De Rosa hoping to add to his Donington race one rostrum.
After suffering injuries in a crash at Donington Park, GMT94 Yamaha’s Jules Cluzel will miss the Czech Round and will be replaced by fellow Frenchman Valentin Debise. Debise also made his first appearance of 2021 at Most on his way to recording a seventh-place finish. In terms of wildcards, Czech rider Patrik Homola (Motoriders) will make his WorldSSP debut on home soil.
