House of Orange shows the rest of the field how it’s done
Race 2 on Sunday was won in style by Cup favourite Jurrien Van Crugten (BB64 Academy), who took his third victory of the season, ahead of Tobias Kitzbichler (Racing Team Kitzbichler) and polesitter Richard Irmscher (Racingteam Irmscher). The BB64 Academy rider now sits atop the standings with a 25-point advantage, ahead of Matteo Masili (SaMarigosa MM Racing Team) and Irmscher.
Sunday in Most was another hot one, and the racing even more so! Everyone wanted a piece of the action! Kitzbichler took the holeshot from third on the grid, but the opening laps were dominated by Irmscher, and Dutchman Van Crugten, who traded places at the front. On lap 4, it was a case of ‘quel dommage’ as French superstar Antoine Nativi saw his title hopes dented as he made a costly mistake and slid into the gravel from seventh position.
A lead group of six defined proceedings, with heroes everywhere. In addition to Van Crugten, Irmscher and Kitzbichler, we had Ferre Fleerackers (Junior Black Knights), Masili & Thias Wenzel (Kiefer Racing) in the mix. Having spent the morning with mentor and Honda test rider Stefan Bradl, Thias Wenzel was feeling bullish, a sublime move up the inside into Turn 1 on lap nine saw the young German slot into second place behind Italian Masili.
As the race progressed and neared its endgame it became a shootout between Van Crugten, Kitzbichler & Irmscher with The Dutchman taking the win in a photo finish. Rounding out the top 6 were Masili in fourth, ahead of Fleerackers & Alessandro Binder (Kiefer Racing) in sixth.
The NTC has completed the halfway point of the season and looks ahead to Round 5 at the Sachsenring in two weeks. With 150 points still in play, anything is possible. Don’t forget to tune in live!
