Luke fights for World Supersport podium in France

Luke Power once again proved his racing talent in the latest round of the 2024 FIM Supersport World Championship which took place at the Magny-Cours circuit in France.

Putting in his best Friday of the season which saw the #68 Motozoo ME AIR Racing rider quick from the very first Free Practice session, Luke went on to qualify an excellent fifteenth on the grid after three impressive time attack laps during Superpole.

Saturday saw rain descend on Magny-Cours and Luke shone in the ten-minute warm up session by recording the eighth best lap despite only being able to record one lap before the session was stopped due an incident with another rider.

Unfortunately, the continued rain meant track conditions were deemed unsafe for racing meaning the opening race was reduced to twelve laps and postponed until Sunday.

Sunday morning brought blue skies but left a wet track following yet more overnight rain and come race time the riders were forced to gamble on slick (dry) or wet weather tyres.

Luke was one of several to choose the wet option and when the race began, he took full advantage of the opportunity passing fourteen riders to end the opening lap in second. Displaying incredible speed and bike control he held the position for several laps before the riders who had gambled on slicks began to lap quicker. Dropping to fourth he was looking good for another points finish until he crashed, thankfully without injury.

Race two was held in fully dry conditions and after another solid start he maintained position fighting for points yet again until another rider made what can only be described as an over ambitious overtake forcing Luke off the track. Undeterred, he was able to avoid crashing and was able to finish just outside of the top fifteen but importantly second overall in the WorldSSP Challenge.

The championship now moves to a new venue, Cremona in Italy in two weeks where Luke is confident of another front running ride.

Luke Power:

“Overall it was a positive but unsatisfying weekend in some ways. I made a big step on Friday which for me was one of the most important things coming into this round. Being able to qualify fifteenth put me in a great position for both races. I enjoyed Saturday morning where after one lap I had a good feeling and was eighth with a good lap time. The first race of the weekend was a gamble for everyone. Unfortunately looking back, I made the wrong call however I was able to run at the front, challenging for the podium for the first laps which was positive. The second race I struggled in the first couple of laps to get back into gear and find my rhythm but once I settled down I started to regain the feeling with the bike, had good pace and was fighting for the top thirteen until another rider ran into the side of me which almost caused me to crash. I was forced off track but somehow managed to stay onboard although I lost more than seven seconds which ended what was a great race up until that point. Nonetheless I am taking the positives, of which there are many and I am going to Cremona confident of a good result.”