Lucas Mahias to ride for DMC-Panavto Yamaha in Qatar
The rising French star gets another chance to race in WSS.
For the final round of the 2014 FIM Supersport World Championship, to be held at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, on November 2nd, the DMC Panavto-Yamaha team will field a third YZF-R6 for the recently crowned French Supersport Champion Lucas Mahias, who will join regular riders Kev Coghlan and Alexey Ivanov.
Mahias shone brightly at his home round, racing as wildcard for Team MG Competition. He was always in the top 3 from the first practice session and actually set the fastest time in FP3. Lucas qualified in second place where he joined three time world champion Kenan Sofuoglu (San Carlo Puccetti Racing) and recently crowned Michael van der Mark (PATA Honda World Supersport) on the front row of the grid. Unfortunately Mahias did not finish the race as he crashed on the very slippery Magny-Cours surface whilst running with the leading group. He was able to re-join only to fall off his bike again at turn 7 later in the race.
Thanks to efforts of the Russian team Lucas Mahias will get a second chance in Qatar, at a circuit where he has never raced before. DMC Panavto-Yamaha team manager Sergey Glagolev believes that this will not be a problem for him: “We have already seen how really strong newcomers can adapt quickly to new tracks and finish on the podium” he told WorldSBK.com. “We wanted to test Lucas in Magny-Cours, but after winning the French national championship, where he won all the races, he had obligations to his partners. He had an amazing weekend in Magny-Cours, riding an almost stock bike with YEC electronics, without traction control and engine braking systems, which the majority of WSS motorcycles have today.”
“We would like to help him fulfil his potential on a bike equipped with all the advanced electronic systems. Our entry form has been accepted, meaning Lucas will start in Qatar with DMC Panavto-Yamaha team. I think his performance will help everyone, including Kev Coghlan. Healthy competition will be a bonus for the team and Lucas is obviously very strong! This will add some more excitement to the final in Qatar.”
