SMW Racing on the podium at Estoril with Iglesias; Millan makes a strong return
WSSP300 | Estoril Round
Iglesias is second, just missing out on the win in Race 2; Millan makes a strong return following injury. The Italian-Polish team celebrates in Portugal
SMW Racing has scored its first podium of the season thanks to the performance of Inigo Iglesias in Race 2 at Estoril. It was also a solid weekend for Alex Millan, who reached the points zone in both races, immediately proving competitive on his return following injury. The Italian-Polish team’s Kawasaki Ninja 400s have shown to be some of the most competitive machines in WorldSSP 300, a gateway category to WorldSSP and WorldSBK.
In Superpole, Iglesias scored the first fastest time (1’51.259), closing just 0.783 from pole position and a fraction of a second from the front row. Millan also set a very good time, considering that he is only now returning after sustaining injury at Aragon. He finished tenth with a 1’51.463, only 0.987 separating him from the polesitter.
In Race 1, Iglesias didn’t get caught up in tactics and quickly took the lead. In battling for the podium, the Spaniard crashed eight laps from the end. This premature finish meant another zero points score. Millan finished the race in eleventh place, just 0.012 of a second from the top ten, confirming the positive sensations he experienced throughout the weekend.
In Race 2, Iglesias gota way well from the second row of the grid and was determined to make up for the disappointment of Race 1. In what was a particularly tough race, with drops of rain falling in the final stages, the Spaniard kept calm and acted strategically. On the penultimate lap, Inigo got into the slipstream of the race leader, a move that allowed him to create a gap behind him and cross the line in second place, thus gifting the SMW Racing team its first podium of the season. With this performance, Iglesias confirms his status as a category frontrunner.
The Italian-Polish team can also be very pleased with Millan’s race. Having just missed the top ten in race 1, the Italian against reached the points zone, finishing fifteenth despite the fact he is still not fully fit.
The next Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round will take place on 11-12 June at the Misano World Circuit.
OTELLO CELIA, Chief Marketing
“We are really very happy to have reached the podium. The race 1 crash didn’t deter us and today Inigo really did well to manage the race. He’s always had good feeling with the bike, but today strategy and patience paid off. We’re pleased to see that all our efforts and commitment have led to the podium. Inigo is a very strong rider and he’s proving that every time he bounces back from difficulty. As for Millan, we’re pleased with his return and with how he battled, despite the pain. He needs more time in order to recover fully from his injury, but we hope he can give it his all already at Misano. We thank all the sponsors who support us and our fanbase, which appears to be growing all over Europe.”
INIGO IGLESIAS, #58 (Race 1: DNF – Race 2: P2)
“I’m so pleased with this first podium of the season. Race 2 was especially tough and hard-fought, but we battled all the way to the end and were able to get back in front in the final stages and cross the line second. I want to thank all the sponsors, the team, the mechanics and all my friends for supporting me. In three weeks we’ll be back on track, at Misano, where I’ll continue to do my best in the hope we can achieve another podium.”
ALEX MILLAN, #14 (Race 1: P11 – Race 2: P15)
“It was a very tough weekend, but I’m pleased to be back on track at last. I immediately had good feeling, right from Friday’s first session, and we worked on the bike so as to be able to run at the front. On Saturday, I felt good in both the Superpole and Race 1 and we scored good results, considering that I’m not 100% fit yet. In Race 1, I was able to finish just outside the top ten, thanks also to minimal fighting, something that allowed me to maintain my strength. Race 2 was very different though and, in fighting with many of my rivals, I really felt a lot of pain and couldn’t ride as I wanted. I want to congratulate the whole team on Iglesias’ second place finish, I’m really happy for the team; we have great potential. At Misano, if I’m pain-free, I can fight for the win too.”
