The day began with the Superpole, which determined the starting grid. Thanks to the data collected the day before, Odendaal and the team were able to make progress in terms of set-up, allowing Steven to take the third place on the grid on the very last lap available. There were also great signs of growth for Peter, but his best lap was cancelled due to the presence of yellow flags, so he had to settle for P26.
At 15.15 Race 1 started. Thanks to an excellent start Odendaal immediately took the lead, crossing the finish line in second position for the first time. After having exchanged the position several times with Gonzalez, in the second part of the race the South African rider has steadily occupied the second position, slightly losing contact with the leader Aegerter, but defending the second step of the podium until the finish line.
Sebestyen's start was also positive, with three positions gained on the first lap. Peter then managed to reach 20th position, but with four laps to go he was forced to retire, due to a problem with the airbag on his suit. As a result of today's results, Odendaal retains second position with 190 points, while Sebestyen remains with 15 points.
Tomorrow the Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team will be back on track for Race 2, scheduled for 12.30 and visible live on Sky Sport MotoGP, channel 208 of Sky. The race will be preceded by the Warm Up, which will take place at 9.25.
Superpole results #NavarraWorldSBK
P1 - Dominique Aegerter (Yamaha) 1'39"924
P2 - Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha) +0.624
P3 - Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, Yamaha) +0.657
P4 - Jules Cluzel (Yamaha) +0.698
P5 - Luca Bernardi (Yamaha) +0.788
P26 - Peter Sebestyen (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, Yamaha) +2.401
Race 1 results #NavarraWorldSBK
P1 - Dominique Aegerter (Yamaha)
P2 - Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, Yamaha)
P3 - Luca Bernardi (Yamaha)
P4 - Jules Cluzel (Yamaha)
P5 - Federico Caricasulo (Yamaha)
RET - Peter Sebestyen (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, Yamaha)
Steven Odendaal: "I knew I didn't have the pace to win, so in the first part of the race I tried to manage the pace of the leading group. Unfortunately Aegerter took the lead later on, and I struggled a bit at the end: despite this I was able to defend the second position, conquering a great result. I can't make any predictions for tomorrow because every race is a different story, but I'll certainly do everything I can to improve on today's result".
Peter Sebestyen: "We improved on yesterday's set up but unfortunately in qualifying the yellow flags at the end forced me to start 26th. In the race I made up a few positions, but unfortunately I had to retire with an airbag problem. These things happen, although I am obviously very sorry. Tomorrow we will try to make up for it, with the utmost commitment".
Fabio Evangelista: "I'm very happy for Steven's result, who managed to get a very good result, also in relation to our expectations of today. He fought with heart and intelligence, gaining a second place useful for the championship. Peter was unlucky both this morning, when the yellow flag relegated him to 26th, and this afternoon, when an airbag problem forced him to retire. I'm sure his luck will change tomorrow and he will get what he deserves".