Revolution Signs / Racedays Kawasaki rider Day scores 6th podium of the year,
but no fairy tale ending at Portimao as Metcher claims title.

Florida’s Joshua Day headed to the Portimao World Superbike round knowing there was a slim chance of taking the European Superstock 600 title but determined to go for the race win in any case. 

The combination of extreme temperatures and a slippery surface were to prove challenging for all riders to find a good suspension setting. Despite posting the fastest time in first qualifying and ,with 4th overall, a front row start the team were doubtful of being able to run the pace for the race duration. Last minute adjustments were made on Saturday night in a bid to make the bike more stable and improve grip, but in any event Josh knew he would have to finish first or second, with Jed Metcher placed lower than 9th to secure the championship. 

At the start Day took the holeshot to lead the race but was repeatedly overtaken on the straights by Van Den Mark’s incredibly fast Superstock CBR 600, with the talented young Dutch rider also able to defend on the rest of the circuit. Glenn Irwin and Romain Lanusse fought for, and then crashed out of the battle for third allowing the leaders Day and Van den Mark to stretch a significant gap over the next riders, Kracji and Metcher. With Metcher well aware that the championship was on the line he did not challenge Kracji for third and with this the race for the podium and championship was effectively over. Van Den Mark took the race win with Josh Day second and Thomas Kracji in third. 

European Junior Cup champion Matt Davies was again impressive in only his second 600cc outing – running at a pace that would have had him comfortably in the points before a technical problem forced him to retire. Joshua Day’s 6th podium of the season secured him second place in the European Superstock 600 championship, an amazing achievement in his first full season in Europe.