Van Der Mark, Bulega Winners; Gerloff
Podiums in France WSBK
M
otorcycle racing is many
things, but competing
with production-based bikes or
watching from an open grand-
stand in the wet is never a forgiv-
ing way, like it was at Magny-
Cours, France, September 6-8.
Superpole was itself held in
fully wet conditions and would
become the pre-race property of
Alex Lowes (KRT). It was his first
Kawasaki pole position and only
the second of his long career.
Second was Nicolo Bulega
(Aruba.it Ducati), and third was
Scott Redding (Bonovo Action
BMW).
A wild first race saw the track
damp in many places but not
really wet, with riders choosing
all kinds of tire options. The best
choices were slicks to start, but
as soon as the rain came down
more heavily, full wets were the
only sane choice.
Lowes took an early and clear
lead from his pole starting posi
-
tion. Running slicks, he led for
three laps before Garrett Gerloff
(Bonovo Action BMW) and his
intermediate tire choice swept
past at pace.
Gerloff crashed on lap eight
in worsening wet conditions,
dropping way down to finish an
eventual 12th—and last.
Yes, the conditions were such
that only 12 riders from the 22
starters finished race one at all.
Lowes would re-pass Michael
Van Der Mark's (VDM) ROKiT
BMW for the lead after both had
pitted for rain tires, specifically
the development Pirelli rear rain
tire (D0737) that showed up for
this round.
Lowes would fall from a lead
-
ing position on lap 11 but restart
in sixth place, only to be shown
the black-and-orange flag to
pull off track as one side of his
WIND
IN THE
P36
Michael Van Der
Mark got the wet
weekend started
with the race-one
win.
PHOTOS:
GOLD & GOOSE
