Maserati Trofeo MC World Series: Ange Barde takes Race 3 at Sonoma

Home » Okruhy

Maserati Trofeo MC World Series: Ange Barde takes Race 3 at Sonoma

Monday, 26. 08. 2013 - 13:23, Martin Trenkler

The overtaking move completed just before the safety car came on was enough to give Ange Barde victory. The race ended with the safety car still on the track meaning that the endurance race in the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series, held at the Californian track of Sonoma (USA), was his.

Belgian Renaud Kuppens got off to a fine start and gradually stretched his lead over Mikkel Mac and the chasing pack. Things all changed with the pit stops as the Konvex Motorsport driver had to spend extra time away from the action after winning races 1 and 2. When Kuppens eventually emerged, he was in fifth spot.

The second half of the race saw, Simoni/Ragazzi take the lead, chased down by Bakker/Sbirrazzuoli and Ange Barde. It was Barde who held his nerve as he first snatched second place and then pulled off the move that gave him the win. The safety car emerged seconds later to sort out the mess when a car had spun down the field. When the race ended, the top four places were filled by Ange Barde, Ragazzi/Simoni, Bakker/Sbirrazzuoli and Mikkel Mac.

Fifth-placed Renaud Kuppens extended, after the fourth round, his advantage over the Dane Mikkel Mac to 60 points. Behind him came Adrien De Leener and Fascicolo/Cecchellero.

The American contingent appearing this weekend did well. The Patrick Byrne and Tyler McQuarrie crew came ninth in Race 3 with McQuarrie also taking fourth overall in Race 2. Jon Becker and Jeff Westphal also performed with Westphal earning fifth in Race 1. David Knobel, Harry Cheung, Ronad Vogel, Ryan and Damon Ockey were competitive too.
Now that the US stage is out of the way, the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series moves on to the Far East and Shanghai, China. The next round will be held on 3 November before the series concludes in Abu Dhabi on 14 December.

Ange Barde: "It was a tough race, especially because I was alone and couldn't hand over to another driver. I am overjoyed with the win. In all honesty, I was hoping to win after taking second spot in Race 2, even with the time handicap. I managed to edge past Simoni/Ragazzi at the end and then the safety car appeared and that helped my cause. I am pleased with my performance and this victory, one I dedicate to my team-mate Sicart who isn't here this weekend".