Missing out on his first opportunity to secure the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship crown at the Pirelli French Round, Alfonso Coppola (SK Racing) battled through an intense scrap to take second position in the race, and win the bLU cRU battle.

Standing on the podium for the sixth time so far this season, Coppola was locked in a 12 wheeled fight to take the honours of standing on those all important three steps around Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, but was unable to take 25 points.

Crossing the line in second position, behind main title rival Marc Garcia (Halcourier Racing), Coppola was not able to secure the WorldSSP300 crown this weekend, and the outcome is set to be decided in Jerez in two weeks time.

Despite this, the Italian has won Yamaha’s bLU cRU challenge with one round remaining, which will mean he is guaranteed a Yamaha supported ride in a higher class for 2018.

Keen to only focus on the title fight ahead, he explains: "In this moment, I am extremely happy to be the first ever Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Challenge winner, but also disappointed to have lost out on the race win to Marc and relinquish my championship lead. I am very excited to be an official Yamaha rider next year but first I will concentrate on this season and give my best to try and win the championship before I even think about 2018.”

Turning his attention to the racing action seen in the Pirelli French Round, Coppola adds: “I am a little bit angry I didn't win today but the last lap was very difficult, after an excellent six-rider battle during the race. Marc opened up a small gap and I just couldn't catch him before the line with all the overtaking. It was a good weekend, I was quick in Friday's practice, but I struggled a bit with my feeling in a wet SP2 and could only qualify in tenth. I rode well in the race to make up the positions and I am happy that I recorded another podium, but as a racer you always want to win.”

Making his intentions clear ahead of Jerez, Coppola will be out to win. You can catch the highly anticipated final round of the WorldSSP300 championship all with the WorldSBK VideoPass.