Since the Warm Up, the number 5 seemed strong. Having entered the track with the SCX, he improved lap after lap stopping the clock just fourth tenth from his qualifying time. Upon returning to the pits, Philipp was immediately satisfied and charged up in view of the two races.
P 1 A. Bautista 1.41.747
P 2 A. Lowes + 0.045
P 3 G. Gerloff + 0.421
…
P 7 P. Oettl + 0.737
In Superpole Race Philipp starts very fast again, then he looses a couple of positions in the first two corners. From the first lap he starts coming back for the Top 9 which is important to improve the grid for Race 2. A good fight is open with Redding, then Philipp manages to open a two tenths gap, closing on Vierge; towards the middle of the race he shows a strong braking in Turn 1, remains well close to the kerb, and makes a great overtaking on the HRC home rider. In the final laps he manages his position well, even catching up on Rinaldi. He reduces the gap from the Italian by about two seconds, but finishes behind him in P 6. Best result of the season, Best independent rider, and best race of the German so far in this 2022, really aggressive and fast even in one on one fights. The sixth position of the Sp Race is very important, as it allows Team Go Eleven to start from the second row in Race 2.
Superpole Race:
P 1 A. Bautista 16’59.889
P 2 J. Rea + 1.185
P 3 A. Lowes + 1.377
…
P 6 P. Oettl + 10.506
In Race 2 Oettl shows off a great start that places him fifth at the first corner; in the first two laps he undergoes some overtakings, with the aim of saving tyre. Remember that he wasn’t able to complete yesterday’s Race, both the technicians and the rider did not have the references for the final laps, which yesterday put the WorldSBK riders in troubles. The number 5 rookie sets his pace on the high 42/43, always staying in contact with the top six, but without attacking. From the middle of the race onwards, tyre management starts to give feedbacks; Lecuona slows his pace slightly and Oettl overtakes him with a super braking in Turn 1, the German rider’s strong point in today’s two races. He sets off in pursuit of Vierge, but the rear tyre no longer holds up. In the last four laps he manages the position, picks up his pace, and takes home an incredible seventh position.
Race 2:
P 1 A. Bautista 34’15.354
P 2 Mi. Rinaldi + 8.103
P 3 T. Razgatlioglu + 9.090
…
P 7 P. Oettl + 33.622
An excellent Sunday for the Go Eleven team, which has achieved the maximum possible, at the moment, in all today’s races, winning many points that give happiness for the season finale. Finally, the starts also seem decidedly improved, and after the summer break Philipp has taken a further step forward that shows him almost permanently in the top ten. Two weeks and he is back in action in Portimao, where the show is guaranteed!
Philipp Oettl (Rider):“Today in the Warm Up I felt really good, in the Superpole Race I had a strong start and I manage to battle with Scott and Xavi Vierge, than I finished in P 6, which was our Best result of the season, and it was nice to start from the first two rows. The start in Race 2 was fantastic, then I was in a good group fighting for P 6, then in the end we finished P 7. It was a pity that yesterday we couldn’t finish Race 1, cause this would have given us more infos about tyre management. Overall I am really happy with the weekend, we confirmed the work we did in Magny-Cours, we are in a good shape and I am happy with this way of working. I am looking forward to Portimao, we had our first test there, so that would be nice to be back after a bit of time!”
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager): “Today Philipp gave us fun! In the Superpole Race he surprised us, he attacked the whole race and his braking in corner one was crucial to conquer positions after positions, there he was really strong, and I missed the feeling when starting from the second row! Race 2, we knew we had a gap compared to our opponents because yesterday we practically did not race Race 1, so we lacked a bit of experience compared to the others, which in a track with such a tyre drop is fundamental, both for management by the rider, both for the set-up by the team. Philipp was very good because at the start he went off super fast and was able to manage without opening a big gap from the group fighting for the second place. Only at the end he gave up, he remained alone and the rear tyre had no more. I would say a very positive day, and analyzing the last weekends we are getting closer and closer to the podium ….. we are coming!”
