Round 7: Portimao

Day 1: free practice

A positive first session on this fabulous but very demanding Portuguese track, beginning with a time of 1.49.6, which puts me in the 12th position.

Second session, the track is much warmer, slower and the bike moves a lot.

But we have a satisfactory run to validate new electronic settings.

I leave with a new rear tyre to push for a better time but we make the choice not to change the front to save tyre allocation for another session.

Unfortunately, I fall on my first flying lap (really small drop on the corner in a slow turn).

Session ended, we'll see what tomorrow brings with the right tyres!

In total, I finish 15th of the day.

Qualifying results:

P14 1.47.5 + 3.6

Superb qualification where I realize a time of 1.47.5 which puts me in 14th position. Due to another rider’s penalty, I will start the race from P13, putting me at the front of the 5th row and positioned on the outside for in the battle for turn 1.

A big thanks to all the members of my team who worked hard to advance the bike, a big step was taken today.

Race results

P 13 + 1min00s 1.48.3

I get a great start where I arrive in the top 10 at the first corner, it is hard battle in the first lap and I quickly realize that the track is very tricky with poor levels of grip under the midday sun.

I make several small mistakes where I lose a few places, I try to ride as fast as possible - I'm 15th for a good part of the race.

Not so far from the driver in front of me at the halfway mark of the race, I do my best to come back, I close the gap and launch an attack in the last lap that allows me to gain an additional place.

With the fall of another rider in the last lap, I take 13th position when I cross the finish line, just one tenth ahead of my competitor, it was hard fought battle. I am very happy with this result which allows me to score three additional points in the championship.

A big thank you to all of Team Flembbo for their hard work over the weekend and for my family who made the trip to support me.

Photo credits: Philippe Saccaro, Thomas Benoit and Pixelmotards.fr.