Benat Fernandez one step closer to WorldSSP300 title after Aragon podium

Retro Traffic Team 109 KOVE and Benat Fernandez took another step towards the 2025 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship in the latest round of the series at Motorland Aragon this past weekend.

The event, a ‘home’ race for both rider and team was important for many reasons and to see the #7 secure a podium finish on Saturday was special for all concerned.

The weekend started strongly with Benat securing a front row of the grid starting position in qualifying which he converted to his fifth podium of the year after an intense and hard fought eleven lap encounter on Saturday afternoon.

Starting a bit further back on the grid on Sunday, Benat once again got his elbows out, running confidently at the head of the chasing pack after the leading rider managed to break away. Windier conditions and more riders in the group meant that positions changed at every corner and with riders sometimes six abreast it was hard for everyone to remain within the confines of the track. With just two laps to go Benat was handed a long lap penalty which he executed perfectly. Almost dropping out of the top twenty – such was the closeness of the on-track battel – he used all his skill and race craft to salvage tenth position at the flag, after some audacious overtakes on the final lap.

With just four rounds and one hundred points available in the remaining races, Benat and Retro Traffic Team 109 KOVE hold a thirteen-point lead in the WorldSSP300 championship.

Benat Fernandez:

“We started the Free Practice with a good feeling and so I was excited for the weekend ahead. I had a good feeling going alone with no slipstream as always and felt confident. Qualifying didn’t go as expected. I thought that I could do better and maybe take the Pole Position but at least I got P3 and the front row even though I didn’t make my ideal lap time. Race one was ok. It was a difficult race playing all the time with the slipstream and trying to remain in the front positions all the time. I tried my best and finished third, locking the podium with the championship contenders which was good for our overall position. I knew that I just needed to be focused on race two and score some good points, and hopefully more than my rivals. We made some changes for the second race which improved my feeling, and I was ready. Race two was a crazy race. It was very windy and chaotic in the group. I got pushed out so many times and race direction decided to give me a long lap penalty two laps from the end which was unfair in my opinion – but I understand the rules. I completed the long lap as fast as possible but dropped to P19. I didn’t have a lot of time to recover but in one lap I managed to put my bike into the top10 after a crazy last lap. The only thing I can say is thanks to the team for making this possible and to the sponsors that keep supporting me every race. I also want to say sorry for doing the mistake in race two and having to take the penalty. We are leading the championship with four races to go, and I am looking forward to the next races!”

Paul Tobin
– Team Principal:

“The weekend started off really well with Benat taking third in Superpole on Friday. Race one was a tough race with the lap record being broken many times. Benat made a good start and managed to stay in the front group throughout. He battled his way to a fantastic podium on the last lap. To get a podium at our home round was also incredibly special for us a team. Race we started eleventh and again the race was another tough battle. The wind was stronger which affected things on the back straight but again Benat rode a strong race. With the leader breaking away and some of our rivals crashing out, thankfully unhurt, it was a case of Benat securing as many points as he could. During such an intense fight it can be hard to stay on track and within track limits and unfortunately, he touched the green a few times and was given a penalty during the race. He took the penalty and in one lap managed to secure another top ten. We extended our championship lead and go into the final four races with everything to play for. I would like to thank everyone that came to Motorland Aragon to support us. See you in Portugal.”