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"This is my dream when I was a child. When I saw my brother racing in WorldSSP300 and WorldSSP, I wanted to be like him!" - Mahendra becomes Indonesia’s first World Champion

Sunday, 20 October 2024 13:35 GMT

18-year-old wraps up Championship in final race of the season, beating Veneman by 21 points

 

Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) secured the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto on Sunday afternoon, becoming Indonesia’s first World Champion with sixth place in Race 2. The Indonesian ensured he was in the lead group throughout the 11-lap race, managing to achieve a solid sixth place result at the lightweight class season finale.

MAHENDRA: “I’m the first Indonesian Champion...”

Speaking after his history making race, the 18-year-old said: “I’m really happy. This is my dream when I was a child. When I saw my brother racing in WorldSSP300 and WorldSSP, I wanted to be like him! Finally, I get the opportunity to race here and I can be World Champion... it’s incredible for me and my family. I’m really happy. I’m the first Indonesian World Champion. It’s incredible.”

AN OUTSTANDING YEAR: #57 dominates class

Mahendra needed just four points to secure the title heading into Sunday afternoon’s Race 2, and the Indonesian ensured he was within the top 10 as the riders took to the Spanish circuit. His closest title rival, Dutchman Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) finished one place ahead of the #57 at the chequered flag, but despite his efforts, Mahendra finished the race 21 points clear of the Kawaski rider.

ALDI: “For this season I was never thinking about the championship...”

Speaking about his Championship winning year, Mahendra said: “For this season, I was just doing my best and never thinking about the Championship. Just in this round, I thought too much about it! In Race 2, at Jerez, I was confused. Every rider gave their all. I just kept focused and finally I got the World Championship. For the race, I just tried to not make mistakes. I felt like another rider touched me in one corner and I just tried to focused.”

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