The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship returned to the Tissot Aragon Round on Saturday for the first Race of the weekend, and it was the 20-year-old Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) who took glory on home soil as he battled his way to the top spot of the podium in a closely contested Race 1. He led second place Julio García (KOVE Racing Team) across the line by a fine margin of 0.010s, with Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) in third; achieving his seventh podium result of the season so far.

THREE HORSE RACE: Just 12 points separate Championship top 3

It was a five-way battle from lights out at the Spanish circuit, as Veneman took an early lead in the 11-lap race, but was soon demoted down the field as he was forced off the track on lap 2. This made space for current Championship leader Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) to move into first position. The race continued to entertain the spectators throughout as the battle for the top 3 spots continuously changed. It was the #7 Dutchman who worked his way back to the front at half race distance, leading Iglesias and Julio García (KOVE Racing Team), as Mahendra fell back to seventh.

WILDCARD IMPRESSES: Torres overtakes to lead Race 1

With just five laps remaining, Antonio Torres (MS Racing) was eager to make a name for himself as he took control of the field and rode into first. The 17-year-old who replaced David Salvador (MS Racing) for the Aragon round, made an impressive move to lead, however Carter Thompson (Fsport-rt Motorsport By Skm-kawasaki) made this short lived as he took the led with just a third of the race distance remaining.

IGLESIAS RETURNS: WorldSSP300 Championship contender

After a season of mixed results for the #58 rider, it was clear he is now back on form and ready to fight for the Championship. A matter of 12 points now separate Mahendra, Veneman and Iglesias as the rivalry heats up ahead of Sunday’s Race 2. It was current Championship leader Aldi Mahendra took fifth at the chequered flag in Race behind Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) and Carter Thompson (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) rounded off the top 6.

Gustavo Manso (Yamaha AD78 FIM LA by MS Racing) and Spaniard Pepe Osuna (DEZA-Box 77 Racing Team) took seventh and eighth, with Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) and Italian rider Marco Gagg (Team BrCorse) completing the top 10.

The top six from WorldSSP300 Race 1, full results here:

1. Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki)

2. Julio García (KOVE Racing Team) +0.010s

3. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.041s

4. Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) +0.052s

5. Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) +0.140s

6. Carter Thompson (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) +0.169s

Don’t miss WorldSSP300’s Tissot Race 2 at 12:45 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass - Just €9.99