GMT94’s Jules Cluzel completed a masterclass at San Juan with a second impressive WorldSSP victory on Sunday, his fourth in a row in Argentina.
The celebrations continued for Can Öncü with his second podium of the weekend while Dominique Aegerter climbed the rostrum to collect both his third place and 2021 WorldSSP Championship trophies.
The championship was all but decided in the opening corner as Steven Odendaal crashed as the race fired up. Manuel Gonzales losing the front of his ParkinGo Yamaha and collecting the unlucky South African in the process, taking them both out of contention before the pair rejoined the action from the back of the pack.
Cluzel took the lead from his dominant pole, with Öncü storming through to second from fourth on the grid. Peter Sebestyen inherited third thanks to the early chaos, from Niki Tuuli, Unai Orradre and Aegerter.
The Champion-elect was on the move as he progressed to fifth on the Ten Kate R6, Hannes Soomer following suit as Orradre was dropped to seventh, Raffaele de Rosa, Vertti Takala and Glenn van Straalen completing the top 10. Aegerter was up to fourth by the end of lap three, Cluzel defending hard from Öncü out front with just a couple of tenths separating the pair.
Personal best laps flew in from the leaders as the race reached one-third distance. Cluzel losing ground in the opening sectors before clawing back space as the lap wound down and the game to cat and mouse continued. Aegerter joining the podium, but running four seconds back and at the head of a three-rider-train, by lap seven.
Orradre and de Rosa suffered issues at the mid-point of the race as they both dropped down the times, with the Italian retiring his Kawasaki on lap 11. Odendaal experiencing a second fall, from 14th with six laps to go, as his race, and title fight came to a disappointing end.
Cluzel picked up the pace as the race counted down. The Frenchman breaking free at the front to hold a 1.5s gap from his nearest challenger with four laps remaining as the Puccetti rider seemed to settle for second.
A battle raged for fifth in the closing stages. Sebestyen and Soomer repeatedly swapping places with two laps to go as they fought for top five honours, with Sebestyen aiming for his best finish of the season.
Cluzel claimed the victory to maintain his pristine record at the Argentine track, Öncü collecting second as Aegerter secured his WorldSSP Championship - Ten Kate’s 10th title - thanks to his third place finish.
A late issue for Niki Tuuli promoted Soomer to fourth with Sebestyen fifth as Valentine Debise completed the top six runners.
