Mahias Secures Front Row Start at Donington
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31/05/2017
Lucas Mahias secured his third front row start of the season today at Donington Park
Below is the full report from Yamaha
GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team's Lucas Mahias secured his third front row start of the season today at Donington for round six of the 2017 FIM Supersport World Championship.
The championship leader only just missed out on pole position by 0.067s and will line up for tomorrow's race from the middle of the front row in second. Mahias had earlier finished a wet FP3 in second and carried this form into a dry SP2. He immediately set a lap time that was good enough for a provisional front row start, but the French rider was not done there. He went back out after a quick pit stop, and improved his time lap by lap, pushing hard to secure his first pole position of the season. On his last flying lap, the 28-year-old made a tiny mistake at the final corner but still managed to set a 1:30.971, which was good enough for second on the grid. The 20-lap race starts at midday GMT on Sunday at Donington Park.
Lucas Mahias GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team: I am very happy, I pushed a lot for the pole position, but I just missed out! It was difficult to improve the bike this morning because of the rain, so I am very happy to get second, it is good for the race. Yesterday I ran a good race simulation, so I am feeling confident, but tomorrow is another day. Yesterday was hot, today was a lot colder, so we will wait to see what tomorrow is like, but either way I am confident I can do well. The bike is very good here, there is nothing really I can improve with it, just me, because the bike is perfect.
Filippo Conti GRT Yamaha Offical WorldSSP Team Manager: For Lucas, he has been quick since FP1. He is so consistent, in every session he is right at the front, even if it is raining. He made a tiny mistake in the last corner, otherwise he would have been on pole for sure. He is very relaxed and happy at the moment, and we are very satisfied with the excellent job done by him and his crew. Tomorrow, I think he will be very strong in the race and will be fighting for the race win!
Images from Yamaha
