Sam Lowes arrived in Portimão with the leadership of the Supersport world championship and, after another victory, this time on the Algarve International Circuit, he reinforced that leadership even more against Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret, again powerless to stop the superiority of the Yamaha rider.
At the start of the race, it was clear that the fight for victory was left to Lowes, Sofuoglu and Foret. The three quickly found a way to stand out and start a battle that had, in the first phase, Foret's leadership.
But the Frenchman was eventually passed by Lowes and Sofuoglu when he failed to brake and dropped to third, also allowing Dutchman Michael VD Mark to join the group to discuss victory in the final two laps.
Foret and Sofuoglu wanted Lowes to lead but in the final stage of the race the Yamaha rider understood the opponents' strategy and let Sofuoglu take the lead on the entry to the final laps.
With VD Mark in the fight, the confusion between the four drivers was almost total, turn for turn, and on the final lap, Sam Lowes attacked decisively, just as VD Mark took second place.
Lowes gained a few meters against Kawasaki's opponents, who were again beaten by the fast Englishman, who won and extended his advantage in the championship, against the disillusioned Fabien Foret and Kenan Sofuoglu, respectively second and third placed.
They are all separated by just over half a second at the end of a very lively fight, typical of this category.
Michael VD Mark tried with no luck for a place on the podium, but ended up fourth again, ahead of Sheridan Morais.
Miguel Praia was ranked 20th, regaining nine positions compared to his place on the starting grid, at the end of a race, where he was always struggling.
Superstock 1000 : Superior Barrier
The French rider Sylvain Barrier took advantage of the fact that he was on pole for the race to win the race reserved for the Superstock 1000 class. quickly helped to form the quartet that would discuss the victory in the race.
The most dangerous opponent for Barrier's lead was Savadori, but the Kawasaki driver committed an excess after passing the lead in the race and ended up crashing on the fifth lap of the race, ending inglorious a race in which he could even have argued. until the end of the first position.
With Savadori's fall, it was Barrier who gained a slight advantage over Guarnoni and La Marra. just over a second.
Barrier even managed to win ahead of a struggling La Marra, with Guarnoni closing the podium in the fourth race of this Superstock 1000 World Cup. the Italian Nicoló Canepa.
Ivo Lopes closed the pack of drivers who finished the race, thus fulfilling the weekend in this category where everything was almost a novelty for the driver, from the tires to the opponents, much more experienced in the category.
With this victory, Barrier, the title champion in the category, returned to command of the championship, now having a point advantage that he will defend in the next race to be held in Imola.
All and results at www.worldsbk.com
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