Academy: Final victory for Walther and title for Gladysz

The weather was good, but the tension was high at the start of the Academy Trophy Final in Kristianstad, which was to decide the title. Oscar Wurz (MCO) went into a spin shortly after the lights went out. Dion Gowda (SGP) kept the lead at the start, but Oleksander Bondarev (UKR) took over the lead on lap 2 with Maciej Gladysz (POL) in his wake. David Walther (DNK) attacked Gowda on the next lap, followed by Caleb Gafrarar (USA), Reno Francot (NLD), Darius Babaioana (ROU) and Yevan David (LKA). Francot then went off the track alone and retired. Bondarev and Gladysz had increased the gap to Walther, then Gafrarar and the pack. Babaioana moved up to 4th position shortly afterwards and set a fastest time. Walther came back quickly to the leading duo and added some more spice to the fight for victory. The Dane quickly moved up to 2nd behind Bondarev. Augustin Bernier had moved up two positions at the beginning of the race, to 16th, but then struggled to find the necessary performance to continue to move up. Walther took 1st place shortly after the halfway point and Gladysz took advantage of this to overtake Bondarev, now 3rd. Babaioana had joined the leading group with the podium in his sights. Decidedly unlucky, Bernier had to come back to the pits with a technical problem. Bondarev resisted the numerous attacks from Babaioana as much as he could. The Romanian managed to pass with two laps to go. Bondarev then spun and lost his 2nd position in the classification by retiring. Waltjer won the race with the fastest lap 4 tenths ahead of Gladysz, winner of the Trophy. Babaioana finished 3rd well ahead of Leo Robinson (DZA) who moved up 17 places. David finished 5th, Bart Harrison (GBR) 6th with a gain of 14 positions and Gowda 7th.

Awaiting publication of the official results.

Info Kartcom / Photo © KSP