WorldSSP300: Coppola secures stunning victory in final lap battle

Alfonso Coppola (SK Racing) took his debut victory from pole position at the Pata UK Round, in a stunning World Supersport 300 final lap battle around Donington Park.

Mika Perez (WILSport Racedays) got the holeshot into the first lap but had Borja Sanchez (Halcourier Racing) hot on his tail, whilst home rider Chris Taylor (MTM HS Kawasaki) was taking no chances and moved up for the fight in the opening laps in front of his home crowd.

As the pack began to settle, with eight laps remaining a front group of Perez, Coppola and Marc Garcia (Halcourier Racing) began to break away as they were locked in the fight for the victory. With a stunning scrap developing for the victory, the Honda of Perez and Yamaha of Coppola were swapping places throughout the 4.023km laps. But with a strong move coming out of the Melbourne Hairpin saw Coppola secure the victory, 0.1s ahead of Perez.

World Championship leader Scott Deroue (MTM HS Kawasaki) spent the race down in fourth position and was chasing the front group down, and crossed the line in fourth meaning he holds onto his championship lead but only by two points. Armando Pontone (IODARacing) rounded out the top five, narrowly ahead of Robert Schotman (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP300 Team) in sixth.

Continue to follow the WorldSSP300 series all on the WorldSBK VideoPass, as well as the Road to WorldSBK which allows fans to keep up with the action as the new series for 2017.

P1 – Alfonso Coppola (SK Racing)
“It was a great weekend, pole position, winner and fastest free practice. This win was the strongest, the pace was very fast. I keep calm and study Perez, I stayed calm in the final lap and passed him on the final lap. I want to thank Yamaha and SK Racing for their work.”

#UKWorldSBK: WorldSSP300 Race
1. Alfonso Coppola (ITA) Yamaha
2. Mika Perez (ESP) Honda +0.174
3. Marc Garcia (ESP) Yamaha +0.241