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13 November 2022

Yet Another Podium For Öncü

Kawasaki Puccetti Racing’s Can Öncü took third place in a shortened 13-lap WorldSSP Race Two at Mandalika, with his team-mate Yari Monfinally ranked sixth sixth.

Early in the race, which was held in truly swelteringly conditions, Can was in the lead for six laps, with Yari a determined third.

As the race developed and then settled into a rhythm Can would lose his lead but both he and Montella stuck to their tasks to try and leave Indonesia with the maximum possible points scores.

Despite his strenuous efforts riding on a track surface that reached over 60°C, Can was heading for fourth place until Niki Tuuli crashed out with two-thirds of the scheduled race distance completed. Can was duly promoted to third when the race was red flagged, due to Tuuli’s stricken bike being too close to the racing line.

Montella is still on the hunt for his first WorldSSP podium finish but he was more than a candidate for a trophy in Race Two until he was passed by race winner and new World Champion Dominique Aegerter, then Stefano Manzi and Rafaelle De Rosa. After a review of the riders’ exact positions at the point of the red flag intervention, Montella was deemed to be still behind Federico Caricasulo, and was finally placed sixth not fifth.

After the Mandalika round there will be a swift change of location for all as the season finale will take place at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia, between 18-20 November.

Can Öncü, stated: “I am happy to be on the podium but also not happy because I want to win races. We have had a lot of podiums but no wins yet. We are working hard for this and we have two races still to go at the final round in Australia. My dream is only to win, but a double podium at Mandalika, in such hot conditions, is very good for all in the team.”

Yari Montella, stated: “I couldn’t have done more than I did today. I pushed hard from lap one but was often on the limit and couldn’t stick with the front-runners all the way to the end. I’m pleased with fifth anyway, as we gave it everything and have again shown to be among the fastest in the category. Thanks to the team for their amazing support and we’ll be back in just seven days when we’ll do our best to round-out the season on a high in Australia.”

Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) was 12th in Race Two with Tom Booth-Amos (Motozoo Racing by Puccetti Kawasaki) was one place ahead of him in 11th in Race two. In the championship Huertas is 12th and Booth-Amos 25th.

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