Jonathan Rea signs another weekend of consistency with three other podiums, while Lowes has a solid weekend.
The first day of the weekend began under an imposing sun at the San Juan Villicum circuit, with track temperatures during free practice exceeding 50ºC. The significant increase of ten degrees between FP1 and FP2 allowed some riders to improve their times. However, many others failed to do so as the grip characteristics of the track changed and the wind also grew stronger.
Jonathan Rea finished FP2 as the fastest rider in the afternoon, and second in Friday's combined times. For his part, Alex Lowes was fourth overall, ending the first day happy and satisfied with his performance.
The next day, race one was intense, especially when title contender Toprak Razgatlioglu crashed at turn nine of the circuit, just ahead of Rea and just behind the current leader Álvaro Bautista. Eventually the Turk was able to get back into the race, but finished in 15th place, scoring just one point.
Rea remained in the lead for one lap, and then chased the driver who overtook him, Axel Bassani, for six laps. When Bautista passed Rea and Bassani, he took the lead position and kept it until the end.
Rea and Bassani's fight continued until the Northern Irishman showed all his pace and experience to make a final pass with three laps to go. Finally, he finished in second position.
Lowes' race was largely affected by his ninth place finish in Superpole. Thus, he started in eighth position and was able to overtake to sixth, obtaining ten points that he adds to the general standings of the championship.
On Sunday, during the Superpole Race, Toprak wanted –and was able– to get rid of the thorn that had stuck in him the day before after crashing in the first Argentine race, scoring his 11th victory of the season in a tough race, but with a happy ending for the Turkish.
Both Jonathan Rea and Álvaro Bautista were placed behind, escaping from the rest of the group. The Kawasaki rider waited for the right moment to attack Razgatlioglu and move on to the lead of the race. Jonathan hung on for a couple of laps, until a turn one braking error dropped him to a third place which he was able to hold on to until the end.
Race Two started very well for both Kawasaki riders. Rea started from third position and quickly moved into the lead. Lowes started from fifth and, also quickly, moved into third place. However, a mistake by Jonathan saw him drop to sixth, which saw Lowes move up to second. In the next laps, he was able to maintain a steady and constant pace, until he recovered three positions. Ultimately, the race ended with Bautista winning, Toprak taking the silver medal, Rea the bronze, and Alex Lowes ending the Argentinian weekend with a well deserved fourth place.
The next event – and second to last of the year – will be held in Indonesia, from November 11 to 13.
Our website uses cookies to offer you a better service.
