A memorable weekend for BK Corse and the Trofeo Aprilia RS660, protagonists in the World Superbike paddock. Yet another spectacular race at Misano with new faces on the podium.
Since the official announcement last year, the entire BK Corse staff and paddock insiders have been eagerly awaiting the first presence of the Trofeo Aprilia RS660 on a world stage like the “Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round” at Misano. The wait was certainly worth it from the first to the last day with new values in the field, a different context than usual and the splendid frame of the public.
BK Corse and Aprilia Racing attracted the attention of all the fans present at the circuit from Friday, also thanks to the “RS660 village” created just in front of the Paddock Show stage. There was also a great desire to see the protagonists of the Aprilia Trophy on track, capable of putting on their usual great show.
In the double free practice session on Thursday, official debut for all the drivers in the world championship context and first times on a dry track with decidedly summery temperatures, significant also considering the prohibitive conditions of the first round at Mugello. In FP1 it was Filippo Bianchi (Revo Nuova M2 Racing) who took the first overall result, showing good pace, as well as Edoardo Colombi (Gradara Corse), ahead in FP2 in the afternoon. Back on track with the Trofeo boys during free practice was Tommaso Marcon, author of the fastest laps overall.
Saturday afternoon’s single qualifying session then livened up the Misano weekend with constantly changing times from start to finish. Pole position overall and first in the Trofeo was set by Filippo Bianchi in 1.44.753. An impressive lap time for the Tuscan, who was followed by Edoardo Colombi, still in great form, followed by the other Revo Nuova M2 Racing team bike driven by Lorenzo Sommariva.
Under the eyes of the large crowd at Misano on Sunday afternoon, the Aprilia RS660 Trophy race brought the weekend to a close. At the start and in the early laps it was Lorenzo Sommariva who immediately took the lead, taking advantage of a less than perfect start by Filippo Bianchi from pole position and Edoardo Colombi. As the laps went by, the fastest drivers on the grid then upped the race pace, resulting in a fight of eight for the final victory!
It was a beautiful race from then on, with continuous twists and turns and overtaking, thanks also to the comebacks of Colombi and Bianchi, who returned to the podium positions. A twist on lap eight with Lorenzo Sommariva’s mistake, wide at the exit of the last corner and forced to move up positions, leaving Colombi on top, followed by a splendid Yari Favero (Favero Racing- Tutto Pista Corse), who started in fourth position, Filippo Bianchi (Revo Nuova M2), Giuseppe De Gruttola (Terra e Moto), Pablo Echeverry (GP3 AD11), Edoardo Savioli (Extreme Racing Service) and Fabiano Fiaccabrino (RAM).
Continuous exchange of positions between the leaders with Colombi able to return to the lead a few passes from the end and sprint to first place under the chequered flag. Exciting and uncertain victory to the last for the youngest driver on the grid, holder Gradara Corse at his first success in the category. Second place to applause for Yari Favero, one of the most experienced on the grid and absolutely perfect all weekend, as well as Filippo Bianchi, also just back from a breathtaking race and on the podium for the first time. Fourth place for Pablo Echeverry, fifth Edoardo Savioli.
With the final result and with a second and a first place to his credit, Edoardo Colombi is now leading the overall classification.
The next round is scheduled for 17 and 18 June at Vallelunga (CIV).
BK Corse would like to thank all its staff for their work over the weekend, the riders, the great crowd in the Misano paddock, Massimo Rivola, Max Biaggi, Tommaso Marcon and of course the entire Aprilia Racing family.
Photo: Gorini Photos
Press Release: Petrolhead Communication
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