Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow held his nerve to secure the 2009 World Supersport Championship title from race winner Eugene Laverty at the season finale in Portimao.
Crutchlow knew heading into the race that a tenth place finish was enough to be crowned champion and the British rider delivered by finishing in fourth place to ensure a superb weekend for Yamaha, which also claimed the World Superbike and Moto GP titles.
The only man able to deny Crutchlow the title heading into the Portuguese race was Parkalgar Honda’s Eugene Laverty, and the Irishman did all he could by winning the final round in dominant fashion.
Starting on pole, Laverty was chased by both Kenan Sofuoglu and Crutchlow in the early stages of the race, but his lead never came under serious threat.
HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider Sofuoglu finished second while Triumph’s Garry McCoy grabbed the final podium spot from a cautious Crutchlow late on.
Joan Lascorz’s hopes of challenging for third place in the overall standings were dashed midway through the race when he crashed out of the podium positions while running strongly.
“Fourth is the worst finish I’ve had this year,” said a delighted Crutchlow, who will graduate to World Superbikes next season. “I just wanted to bring it home. I didn’t need to push Eugene.
“It’s been a tough season and all credit to Yamaha they’ve done a fantastic job. I want to thank the team and all my sponsors for their support, and my family, my dad and my mum and Lucy my girlfriend who have put up with me!”
World Supersport Championship results – Round 14, Portimao
1 Eugene Laverty, Parkalgar Honda, Honda CBR600RR, 20 laps
2 Kenan Sofuoglu, HANNspree Ten Kate Honda, Honda CBR600RR, +3.443
3 Garry McCoy, ParkinGo Triumph BE1, Triumph Daytona 675, +13.874
4 Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha World Supersport Team, Yamaha YZF R6, +15.144
5 Mark Aitchison, Honda Althea Racing, Honda CBR600RR, +16.608
6 Michele Pirro, Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni, Yamaha YZF R6, +20.008
7 Chaz Davies, ParkinGO Triumph BE1, Triumph Daytona 675, +22.007
8 Fabien Foret, Yamaha World Supersport Team, Yamaha YZF R6, +22.034
9 Barry Veneman, George White Ten Kate Racing, Honda CBR600RR, +23.031
10 Miguel Praia, Parkalgar Honda, Honda CBR600RR, +24.002
11 Andrew Pitt, HANNspree Ten Kate Honda, Honda CBR600RR, +31.794
12 Martin Cardenas, Veidec Racing RES Software, Honda CBR600RR, +31.811
13 Katsuaki Fujiwara, Kawasaki Motocard.com, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +32.218
14 Michael Laverty, Echo CRS Grand Prix, Honda CBR600RR, +33.196
15 Kevin Coughlan, Holiday Gym Racing, Yamaha YZF R6, +1:02.386
16 Tata Pradita, YZF Yamaha, Yamaha YZF R6, +1:06.401
17 Danilo Dell’Omo, Kuja Racing, Honda CBR600RR, +1:08.010
18 Yannick Guerra, Holiday Gym Racing, Yamaha YZF R6, +1:18.977
19 Flavio Gentile, Honda Althea Racing, Honda CBR600RR, +1:19.080
20 Olivier Four, Intermoto Czech, Honda CBR600RR, +1:22.144
21 Robert Muresan, MS Racing, Triumph Daytona 675, +2:06.258
22 Marcin Walkowiak, LW BOGDANKA Racing Team, Yamaha YZF R6, +1 lap
Not classified
Massimo Roccoli, Intermoto Czech, Honda CBR600RR, 16 laps
Arie Vos, Veidec Racing RES Software, Honda CBR600RR, 15 laps
Sam Lowes, Echo CRS Grand Prix, Honda CBR600RR, 7 laps
Joan Lascorz, Kawasaki Motocard.com, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 3 laps
Final Championship Standings
1 Cal Crutchlow – 243pts
2 Eugene Laverty – 236
3 Kenan Sofuoglu – 189
4 Joan Lascorz – 163
5 Fabien Foret – 123
6 Andrew Pitt – 119
7 Anthony West – 117
8 Garry McCoy – 98
9 Mark Aitchison – 93
10 Katsuaki Fujiwara - 73
Watch World Supersport highlights from the season finale at Portimao on Motors TV (Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545) on Thursday at 9.15pm (BST).
Andy Wilkinson
International
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