Eugene McManus got the chance to compete in the World Supersport Championship in warm spring conditions at the MotorLand circuit Aragon, Spain, at the weekend. With Ben Currie out injured Randalstown’s Eugene McManus had the opportunity to race a Kawasaki XZ 6R at the opening round of the 2022 season.
McManus was competing on the 5km MotorLand Aragon circuit alongside such distinguished riders as Jules Cluzel, Dominique Aegerter, Can Oncu and Lorenzo Baldassarri.
He joined up with the Motozoo Racing by Puccetti team earlier in the week to complete a two-day test at the Spanish circuit before going on to compete in the two 15-lap races at the weekend.
After completing the two practice sessions on the Friday McManus achieved a best lap time of 1:57.487 at the famous circuit and was hoping to reduce that further during Superpole the following day.
On Saturday, McManus did improve and clocked a 1:56.748 in Superpole to put him 29th on the grid. In race one he finished 26th. He got to have a brief race with Jules Cluzel as the Frenchman worked his way back through the field after an early fall. In race two McManus finished 23rd with a best lap time only two-tenths away from his qualifying time.
This was the second time McManus has raced at this level completing several races in 2021 for the Wepol Racing Team filling in for the injured Danny Webb.
Eugene McManus said, “A big thank you to Affinity Sports Academy for allowing me to race in Spain, Motozoo Racing by Puccetti for the opportunity to compete at World level and Ben Currie for accompanying me from the UK to Aragon and of course I wish him a speedy recovery.”
“It was a really tough week competing at this level but I have learnt lots. I am now really looking forward to the British Supersport season to start next weekend.”
Comments