Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) took a fine win in the rescheduled and shortened 12-lap Race 1 early on Sunday in the FIM Supersport World Championship at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, flying across the finish line 2.938s ahead of second placed Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing). Riding brilliantly in mixed conditions on slick tyres at the Motul French Round the result is Tuuli’s first win with Ducati and his first victory since winning in Indonesia 2022. It’s also his third win with a different manufacturer, making him the first rider to achieve such a feat in the class.

CARICASULO RETURNS TO PODIUM: Strong performance by MV Agusta rider

Caricasulo also made his own piece of personal history with his first rostrum result of 2024, having now featured on the podium with four different manufacturers in WorldSSP. Completing the podium behind the front two was Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), making it three different manufacturers in the top three as he finished 3.248s off Tuuli and just over a tenth of a second over fourth placed Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team).

HUERTAS & MONTELLA CLASH: Rivals go head-to-head

Title rivals Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Huertas clashed on lap 8 with Huertas again lucky to stay upright after his huge ‘moment’ in Warm Up on Saturday. Montella was given a Long Lap Penalty for irresponsible riding for his part in that incident and he finished the race in sixth place, just over nine seconds down on Tuuli and five seconds adrift of fifth placed Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing). Oncu set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap, to put him at the head of the grid for Race 2.

TOP TEN BATTLES: early leader Debise drops back on rain tyres

Behind sixth-placed Montella, Tom Edwards (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team), Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) and Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) completed the top ten. Debise took the lead on the first lap, going three seconds clear by the start of lap 2 on rain tyres, before he was caught by the chasing group at the end of lap 7 and then swallowed up by the pack.

COSTLY CRASHES: Mahias and Manzi caught out by the conditions

Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) started with a bang and took the holeshot, only to crash out of the lead seconds later at Turn 2. Another big name crasher was Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) who went down at Turn 15 on lap 3, which is a huge blow to his Championship aspirations. Luke Power (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) got into second place early in the race and remained towards the front before he crashed out of fourth place at Turn 12 on lap 5, with Tuuli having to take avoiding action.

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

1. Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team)

2. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +2.938s

3. Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +3.248s

4. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +3.390s

5. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +4.121s

6. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +9.119s

Fastest lap: Can Oncu, Kawasaki – 1’43.122s

Make sure you watch WorldSSP Race 2 this afternoon at 14:00 Local Time (UTC +1), using the WorldSBK VideoPass - NOW HALF PRICE!