Second place for Aegerter in Indonesia after a strong Race 1 in tricky conditions

Dominique Aegerter took his fourth pole position at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia. During the first race it started to rain and the Ten Kate Racing Yamaha rider dropped back to seventh place. When the track dried again Aegerter was the fastest rider on track and finished shortly behind the winner in second place. Home rider Galang Hendra Pratama took the gamble to change to intermediates, but this choice did not work out as the rain stopped in the second part of the race.

The final round of the World Supersport championship is being held at the new Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia. World champion Dominique Aegerter was fast from the first practice session and he managed to achieve his fourth pole position of the season. It is the home race of Galang Hendra Pratama. The Indonesian rider had to miss the Argentinean Round and used the free practice sessions to get back into his rhythm. Hendra Pratama managed to improve his lap time in qualifying and qualified seventeenth for the races.

Aegerter was in the lead after the start of Race 1. Early in the race it started to rain, whilst the riders started on slicks. Aegerter took no risks and fell back to seventh. Hendra Pratama took the gamble of changing to intermediates early on, but that proved to be the wrong choice. The rain did not continue and the track began to dry again. Later in the race, the home rider would have to retire with a problem.

Aegerter picked up the pace in the second half of the race and moved up to third place. The world champion had to close a gap of nearly four seconds to the leader. Aegerter consistently set the fastest lap times and managed to get within striking distance of the leader’s rear wheel on the final lap. The Swiss rider did not find a way to attack in the last lap, so he finished second after a strong race.

Sunday at 13:30 local time, 06:30 CEST time, the second and final World Supersport race of the 2021 season will start. Ten Kate Racing Yamaha starts this race with a twenty-point lead in the team championship.

Dominique Aegerter: “We had a strong Superpole and took our fourth pole positions of the season. It started to rain after a few laps, the conditions were different in every sector. It was very tricky and I didn’t take too many risks. I fell back to P7. At the end I was able to come back and I was the fastest rider on the track. My tactics for the last lap did not work out perfectly. With this second place we have scored good points for the team championship, which is our main goal for this weekend. I want to congratulate De Rosa with his victory. I know him since 2007 and he deserves it. I want to thank Ten Kate Racing Yamaha for the great bike. Tomorrow we have another chance and we will go for the win.”

Galang Hendra Pratama: “I took a big gamble in Race 1. It was raining very hard in the last sector and I decided to go in to change to intermediates. It turned out to be the wrong choice. When I started pushing after the pit stop I got a problem and had to end the race. Very disappointing, as it is my home race. But this can happen. I am now focusing on tomorrow. I am looking forward to the second race. I hope the weather will be stable, dry or wet, so we can finish the weekend on a good note!”

Team manager Kervin Bos: “A fantastic result for Dominique! He didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks in the changing track conditions. When Dominique felt he could push, he was definitely the fastest rider on track. He lost a bit too much time at this stage of the race. He missed half a lap or a few turns to go for the win. But we can be more than satisfied with this result. Galang made the gamble early on in the race to change to intermediates. That turned out to be the wrong choice and unfortunately he had to retire later on with a problem. Very unfortunate in his home race, but he has the potential to have a good race tomorrow!”

Aegerter third in last race of 2021 and Ten Kate Racing Yamaha takes team championship in Indonesia

Dominique Aegerter finished third in the final race of the 2021 season at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia after an exciting battle for the win. Home rider Galang Hendra Pratama crossed the finish line in thirteenth place. With great results in 2021, including ten victories, Ten Kate Racing Yamaha also took the team championship.

On Sunday the last World Supersport race of the 2021 season was held at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia. The goal for Ten Kate Racing Yamaha was to win the team championship. The Dutch team started the race as leader in the standings with a lead of 20 points. World champion Dominique Aegerter started from pole position, while Galang Hendra Pratama started from the sixth row of the grid for his home race.

In the second race it also started to rain lightly after the start. Aegerter dropped back a few places but then managed to join a leading group of five riders. Later it dried out. With two laps to go, Aegerter was fourth and attacked the front runners. In the last lap the world champion managed to take the lead, but in a very hectic last sector he couldn’t manage it perfectly and finished in third place. Hendra Pratama had a good start and immediately positioned himself within the points positions. The Indonesian rider finished his home race in thirteenth place, scoring three world championship points.

After the world title with Aegerter and the constructor’s title with Yamaha, Ten Kate Racing Yamaha has now also won the team championship. Aegerter also won the most races, took the Superpole award and the fastest lap award. A perfect season for Ten Kate Racing Yamaha: on to 2022!

Dominique Aegerter: “The main goal for this weekend was to win the team championship with Ten Kate Racing Yamaha and we succeeded. Another podium finish after a great battle. I was leading for a moment in the last lap, but I was a bit unlucky at the finish. I think everyone enjoyed the fight. We had a fantastic season! I want to thank the team, my sponsors, family and everyone who supports me.”

Galang Hendra Pratama: “Conditions were tricky again as it started to rain. I had a good start and was able to stay with the group. A rider in front of me had a technical problem, which put oil on my visor. It was tricky, but I am happy with P13 and the points. I was able to help a little bit with the team championship for Ten Kate Racing Yamaha. I want to thank the team, especially Kervin, Ronald and my crew, for this year! I have learned so much from this great team, which I can use in the future. I also want to thank my sponsors who are behind me. I don’t know yet what next year will look like for me, but we will come back stronger!”

Team manager Kervin Bos: “Rider’s title, Superpole Award, Fastest Lap Award and the team championship for Ten Kate Racing Yamaha! We have won everything we could win this year and we are of course very proud. Even though we are modest as Dutchmen, I think we did something unique. I want to thank everyone for their support! Dominique finishes the year with a podium. It was clear to see that he did everything he could to win. Galang finished in the points and that was the goal, so we return home with a more than satisfied feeling.”