Italy’s Kevin Corradetti recorded his first FIM Flat Track win at the Czech Round on Saturday and in the process brought himself back into contention for the 2021 World Championship title with just a single event remaining.
The 18-year-old claimed the holeshot at the third Final of the 2021 season in Pardubice’s Svítkov Speedway Stadium, squeezed around the outside of fellow countryman Daniele Moschini to maintain the lead off turn two, and from there was never headed.
After a fourth and a second from visits to Germany and Hungary in August and September, plus with another 25 points heading his way for this win, Corradetti moved clear of Markus Jell for second in the series Standings. But attentions quickly turned to a brilliant through-the-order effort from Lasse Kurvinen that maintained the bulk of his Championship lead. The defending title-holder was left just sixth at the end of the opening lap after missing the start, but provided much of the race’s entertainment with a through-the-order fightback to snatch second.
Kurvinen’s first move took him from sixth to fourth on the backstraight of Lap Two, Gerard Bailo moving Markus Jell aside coming off the second turn and Kurvinen following him past the German before powering clear of Bailo as well before the trio hit turn three. A lap later the Finnish veteran made another Turn Two pass, this time on home man Ervin Krajcovik for third, getting his wheels in line nicely and then beginning the hunt of the two Italians at the head of the field.
By now Daniele Moschini, faultless in qualifying with four wins, was on the tail of race leader Corradetti up front with Kurvinen quickly closing. But Moschini ran wide to build up his speed for an attack on the race leader at the end of Lap Five, Kurvinen swept across him coming off turn four, and the podium positions in Pardubice were settled from there.
With Moschini carding back-to-back third places, Round One runner-up Markus Jell dropping back to seventh and Gerard Bailo making a move for fourth, the trio are separated by just three points in the battle for bronze ahead of the visit to Boves this Saturday (9th October).
All three are still mathematical contenders for the title, but barring major surprises we should be looking at a head-to-head between Kevin Corradetti and Lasse Kurvinen for overall honours this weekend. Reigning world number five Corradetti could only manage eighth at the Boves TT last season and will likely need to claim a second consecutive win in order to steal the number one plate from Kurvinen. The Finnish veteran, meanwhile, must only add another podium to his account to be sure of a second title on the ground where he claimed his first a year ago.
FIM Communications