SSP 300 Women’s European Championship:
Natalia Rivera wins round 2 in Italy
The second round of the SSP 300 Women’s European Championship took place at the newly renovated Cremona Circuit in Italy. Facilities at the venue are still under construction with new podiums being build preparing for the WSBK event in September.
The event covered both the Italian Championship for this class and the European. Riders from five different nations and two continental unions participate on Yamaha and Kawasaki bikes.
Tough conditions on Saturday for the free practice, Q1 and Q2, with the Spanish Natalia Rivera the fastest. The combined qualification established Riviera in pole position ahead of Italian riders Josephine Bruno and Nicole Cicillini.
When the lights went out, Patrycja Sowa made a lightning start from P4, moving straight into the lead and defending the position for almost three laps, with a persistent Bruno hot on her heels in second. Natalia was lying third until almost the mid-race point, when Bruno made a decisive pass on Sowa, moving into the lead and soon building a gap.
Championship leader Rivera wasted no time in responding and passed Sowa on lap seven before setting out in pursuit of the Team Gradara Corse rider. Spectators were treated to a breath-taking duel between Natalia and Josephine, who continued to exchange places and maintain a very strong race pace all the way to the chequered flag.
Two laps from the end, a decisive pass through the final sector saw Rivera ahead of her rival and secured her place on the top step of the podium. Second position for Josephine and third for Sowa.
Thanks to this win Natalia consolidates the leadership in the standings.
Top five completed by Denise Dal Zotto, who was not quite able to achieve a top three, and Cicillini.
