Daniel Mogeda fights for podiums in WorldSSP300 season opener
Daniel Mogeda and Team 109 are reunited for the 2024 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship season and the partnership based on the opening round at the Catalunya circuit just outside Barcelona in Spain looks to be one that will bear great results.
The Spaniard adapted well to the new event format which limits the amount of Free Practice on a Friday. With qualifying now held on Friday afternoon, riders have to attack from the get-go in order to prevent a poor grid position which can hamper their race performances. An unphased Mogeda shone in front of his home crowd to secure P2 on the grid, putting himself in the perfect place to challenge for top honours.
The usual multi rider freight train that is WorldSSP300 saw the #88 taking turns to lead before being shuffled back into the pack. As the race neared its end Daniel made his move, positioning himself for an attack for the podium. Unfortunately, he was taken out by a rival, meaning no points despite a valiant effort.
Sunday’s race saw more of the same with Daniel once again in the mix at the front throughout. Thankfully, the group remained on two wheels and Daniel narrowly missed the podium by 0.027s and the win by 0,143s, crossing the line in well-deserved fourth.
The next round of the series takes place at the Cathedral of Speed, the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands in three weeks.
Daniel Mogeda:
“It was an incredible weekend. Qualifying was really good, and the team and I worked hard to arrive at the top. I was never outside of the top five all weekend and I qualified on the front row of the grid. In race one I was leading for a few laps, and I felt good in the leading group but unfortunately another rider hit me, and I crashed. Anyway, I had a good feeling, and we showed our potential. In race two I started P11 with the new rules based on lap times, but I was able to fight to the front group and was running in fifth. I finally made it to P4 and was so close to winning and the first podium for me and the team. I am so happy, and it is incredible to start so strong with this team which is like a family. I want to say thanks to everyone that supports me and to all the fans that came to the race. Thank you too to my 109 Team, we will have a good season.”
Paul Tobin:
“The weekend started really strong for us in both Free Practice and Superpole. He missed Pole Position by four thousandths of a second which was impressive. We knew in the races he had the opportunity for a good result but unfortunately, he got caught up in someone else’s accident. These things happen, it is part of racing, so we dusted ourselves down and looked ahead to Sunday, but we were all gutted for Daniel as he lost big points on Saturday that he deserved. Sunday, he showed great race craft, sat in the correct positions within the group to attack on the final lap and just missed the podium by the smallest of margins. It shows how close the racing is and that we are in the fight and will be moving forward. We move on to Assen confident after a great start to the season for the team and all our partners.”