Saturday

Fifth place for Aegerter in rain-affected Race 1 at Phillip Island, Taccini struggles to 17^th

Dominique Aegerter crossed the finish line in fifth place on Saturday in the rainy first World Supersport race of the weekend at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia. Leonardo Taccini finished 17th with the Italian’s injured wrist continuing to hinder him.

After dominating most of the Superpole session with a rain front tyre and intermediate rear tyre, Dominique Aegerter fell back to fifth on the grid as slicks were the better option at the very end. Despite a good opening phase in the first race of the weekend, the two-time World Supersport champion was unable to keep pace with the leading group. In the end he cossed the line in fifth place in his first rain race in this class.

Leonardo Taccini qualified in 18^th place for this weekend’s two WorldSSP races but struggled in the changeable conditions of Race 1. The Italian resisted the pain and eventually finished seventeenth in his first race at the intimidating Phillip Island.

Dominique Aegerter: “We had very strange conditions today. The Superpole was half wet / half dry and the race was wet, my first wet race in World Supersport. With, for me, these new tyres and a different setting I managed to finish in fifth place. It’s not a podium but it was still a great race nonetheless. In the end the track was drying and my tyres started to move so it was difficult to keep my lines and use the lean angle.

The result is not too bad and me and the team have achieved almost everything already, but I would like to give them another podium. Tomorrow there is another chance and we will work hard to find some small things. Let’s see what the weather will bring as it’s very changeable here. I want to enjoy my last race in World Supersport on this amazing track.”

Leonardo Taccini: “It was a very strange day. The qualifying was not too bad, I think we did the maximum there taking my physical condition into account. I expected a different race because usually we are fast in rain conditions, however today I found it very difficult to ride in these conditions today with a strong wind and my injured wrist. Now we look forward to tomorrow where we will do our best in Race 2.”

Kervin Bos – Ten Kate Racing team manager: “It was our first wet race in two years, it went okay in itself. We know Dominique is not a rain specialist and because we haven’t raced in the rain with him yet, it was difficult to assess what he needs in terms of setup. Despite that, he looked good but towards the end of the race he started to struggle with the drying track. It was clear that big differences were emerging at that point, some fast riders became slower and some slow riders became faster. In the end, Dominique finished fifth and crossed the finish line without any problems, unfortunately not on the podium. Tomorrow, however, that will be the aim to end the year on a good note.

Leonardo also managed to finish his race and that is the maximum at the moment. He was close to the points but again physically it became very difficult to keep it up, hopefully he will wake up well tomorrow and manages to get something more out of it.”

Sunday

Aegerter says goodbye to Ten Kate Racing and World Supersport with dominant 17^th victory at Phillip Island

With a dominant victory in Race 2 at Phillip Island, Dominique Aegerter ended the highly successful season in the World Supersport class in a perfect way. The Swiss rider was right up front in the opening stages and was in the leading group where there was a big fight taking place. On lap eight, the two-time world champion took over the lead and did not look back.

With a lead of more than two seconds, Aegerter crossed the line as winner for the seventeenth time this season and ends his two years with Ten Kate Racing in the best possible way. Together, Ten Kate Racing and Aegerter have broken all records in the World Supersport class this season and this period will remain long in the memory.

Leonardo Taccini once again managed to finish the race despite problems with his injured wrist. The Italian crossed the finish line nineteenth and can look back on a learning season in the World Supersport class.

Dominique Aegerter: “I think we couldn’t finish this season in a better way. With three races to go we already took the championship and these last two years have been amazing with two world titles for both myself and the team, the most victories, pole positions and fastest race laps. I think we have written history.

The race today was amazing, finally we could ride in dry conditions on this great track. There was quite some wind and we had some big battles with Caricasulo, Baldassarri and Bulega. I tried to stay in front and once I saw I had a small gap, I tried to push a bit more to make sure they could not overtake my anymore with a slipstream.

Seventeen race wins and nineteen podiums in a season is amazing, once again a huge thanks to the Ten Kate Racing team. I also want to thank the people at home: my family, friends, sponsors and trainer who always keep me fully focused on racing. Of course also the people in Nieuwleusen who help to prepare the bike in the best way possible, to do 24 races without any technical problems means they have done a fantastic job. I will miss the team next year and we will remain friends for sure.”

Leonardo Taccini: “We have finished the 2022 season, it was a big pity to finish it like this with my injured wrist. Still I think we have shown this year how fast we are and I want to thank the whole team for giving me the opportunity to grow as a rider this year. It hasn’t necessarily translated into results but I think we have done well, thanks again to everyone who made it possible.”

Kervin Bos – Ten Kate Racing team manager: “The 2022 season has come to an end: seventeen wins, two consecutive championships with both rider and team, most pole positions and most fastest race laps. Unbelievable, what a year. We are more than proud and I don’t think we fully realise yet what we have achieved together in the last two seasons. We have grown in all areas and I think that with 17 wins in one season, we will be in the history books for some time to come.

We knew Leonardo would struggle with his wrist but, as always, he has held his own. He is definitely a rough diamond and it is now a matter of time for that diamond to be polished and for him to get the real speed out of himself.

I want to thank everyone for this season. Sponsors, partners and everyone who has contributed in front or behind the scenes: it has been a fantastic year.”

After a long overseas trip, Ten Kate Racing returns to Nieuwleusen to start preparations for next season. For the first race weekend of 2023, the team will return to Phillip Island in Australia where the first round of the World Supersport championship will be held from 24 to 26 February.