Cluzel storms to home win to close gap to Cortese

Full World Supersport race results from Magny-Cours

Jules Cluzel has given his World Supersport title charge a timely boost with victory at his home round fending off championship leader Sandro Cortese at Magny-Cours.

After leading the opening stages, Cluzel remained under constant pressure from Cortese with the Kallio Racing Yamaha rider able to dive down the inside of the Adelaide hairpin only to see his title rival gain better drive out of the corner to retain the lead.

With three laps to go, NRT Yamaha’s Cluzel upped his pace to sprint clear of any late attacks from Cortese to clinch his fourth victory at Magny-Cours and trim the German’s championship advantage to 11 points with two rounds remaining.

Defending World Supersport champion Lucas Mahias took a last-lap podium from GRT Yamaha team-mate Federico Caricasulo, with the French rider diving up the inside unsettling the Italian who suffered a low-side crash.

Caricasulo remounted to finish down in 13^th place but the result leaves his title hopes in tatters. The GRT Yamaha rider’s off promoted Thomas Gradinger to his best result of the year with fourth place for the NRT Yamaha rider.

Randy Krummenacher had to settle for fifth place for Bardahl Evan Bros Yamaha ahead of Corentin Perolari (GMT94 Yamaha) and Raffaele De Rosa (MV Agusta).

Kyle Smith led the CIA Landlords Insurance Honda charge in eighth ahead of Puccetti Kawasaki duo Hikari Okubo and Hector Barbera who rounded out the top ten finishers.