Giugliano comes close to the podium in both races today at Magny Cours

The thirteenth and penultimate round of the World Superbike championship came to a close at Magny Cours today. After Davide Giugliano’s positive performance in the practices and Superpole session, today the Althea rider started the races from third position.

Both of the day’s races were difficult and both were brought to a close with a red flag due to crashes and bikes left on track. In the first race Giugliano made a strong start from the front row and was immediately part of the leading group. At the mid-race point, Davide was lying fourth, behind leader Sykes and the two factory Aprilias of Guintoli and Laverty. Three laps from the end, a crash for Aitchison brought the race to a premature conclusion when his bike caught first in the middle of the track. This meant Giugliano took final fourth position. The Althea rider got away well in race two also and was again in fourth place while the two factory BMW riders Davies and Melandri attempted to pass him but without success. This race also closed with a red flag two laps early when Guintoli and Laverty both crashed and the latter’s bike remained on track. Giugliano closed once again in fourth position and thanks to his recent results he has moved up into sixth place in the general standings, the first of the privateers. The next and final round of the Superbike championship will take place on 20 October at Jerez in Spain.

Genesio Bevilacqua: “Overall it’s been a very positive weekend for us. We were outsiders in that the mainplayers were those riders fighting for the world title. We didn’t have the same motivations but nevertheless both team and rider have done a great job, taking two fourth place finishes and putting some of the factory riders in difficulty. I must commend Davide’s continuous growth, he can now be considered a top rider and not just a rider capable of occasional success. We’re pleased with the work we have got done here in France and plan to do our best once again in the final round in Jerez.”

Davide Giugliano: “We didn’t reach the podium but it’s been a satisfying weekend in which we battled with the riders fighting for the title. We’re enjoying a positive season’s end and today’s two results confirm it, seeing as we were consistently first among the privateers. My team and I did well to be able to stick with the factory bikes. It was not easy and I had trouble in both races because the leaders were lapping with a consistently fast pace. In the final lap of race two, I could see that some sections of the track were wet and so I was very careful not to make mistakes. Now we head to Jerez, the track where I rode the Aprilia for the first time and we head there spurred on by these great results here today.”