Montella took third place and was named Best Independent Rider, while Bautista wrapped up a tough Sunday in Race 2 after a strong comeback in the Superpole Race.
The Barni Spark Racing Team had an intense, action-packed Sunday at the Balaton circuit. The Superpole Race, originally scheduled for 10 laps, was red-flagged after just a few laps due to an incident involving Oliveira and Locatelli. Upon the restart, reduced to 8 laps, the race heated up from the very start. Montella, who started from the front row, lost positions in the early stages after a battle with Baldassarri, but reacted with determination to fight his way back up to fifth place. Meanwhile, Bautista took advantage of the second start to gain positions and finish fourth after a solid and steadily improving race.
In Race 2, contested over 21 laps, Montella delivered a fast and consistent performance. After a hard-fought start, the Italian rider quickly found his rhythm, consolidating third place and authoritatively managing the gap to his pursuers. Lap after lap, he maintained a steady pace without dropping out of the podium positions, crossing the finish line in third place and also earning recognition as Best Independent Rider.
The race proved more challenging for Bautista. After a strong start that put him among the leaders, the Spanish rider found himself caught up in several battles in the midfield, losing ground as the laps went by. In the final stages, a long-lap penalty for exceeding track limits at Turn 9 ultimately compromised his result, forcing him to settle for eleventh place.
The Barni Spark Racing Team leaves Balaton in second place in the team championship standings. The next round of WorldSBK will take place in Most from May 15–17.
Bautista described Sunday as bittersweet, highlighting his strong pace in the Superpole Race but acknowledging difficulties in Race 2 due to a lack of feel for the bike. Montella celebrated a hard-earned podium finish, the result of steady improvement throughout the weekend and smart race management. For his part, Team Principal Marco Barnabò spoke very highly of Montella’s result and the team’s progress, while noting the need to continue analyzing and adjusting the setup to help Bautista return to his best form.
We continue to support the team with our ISB Sport Bearings, helping them perform at the highest level in every race.
