WorldSBK Australia race 1 : Lucas Mahias P9, Philipp Ottl P16

The GMT94 Yamaha riders had high hopes for Saturday’s race at Phillip Island (Australia). Lucas Mahias (Yamaha R6) and Philipp Öttl (Yamaha R1) gave their all for their first race in 2024, but were not rewarded.

After a good qualifying session in Supersport, Lucas Mahias was in the best possible shape for Race 1. The French rider immediately showed his ambitions by finishing 3rd on the first lap. After several laps in the leading group, the number 94 found himself in trouble with a rear tire failure and downshifted. A tire change on lap 9, following the flag-to-flag procedure, gave hope to the GMT94 Yamaha rider, who was able to pick up a very good pace and move back up to 5th position. He was aiming for the top 4 when vibrations 4 laps from the end slowed Lucas Mahias, who managed to finish and score the 7 points for 9th place.

After an excellent FP3 in 9th position, and brilliant winter testing in Spain and Portugal, Philipp Öttl could have hoped to start on the third row. The only rider not to have improved on soft tires, the GMT94 rider started from an unexpectedly distant 18th position. The race got off to a fast start and Phillip could have hoped for 11th or 12th place, battling it out with the class leaders. But with 4 laps to go, vibrations forced the GMT94 rider to give up the ghost and reach the finish in 16th position.

The team and riders will now prepare for Sunday’s races.