Feature Story
Two Kawasaki Race Wins Blow The Title Fight Wide Open
Kawasaki Riders Shine with Veneman and Salvador Victories at Magny-Cours WorldSSP300 Round
Returning WorldSSP300 rider Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) and series regular David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI Kawasaki) each claimed a race win at the fifth round of the 2025 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship at Magny-Cours, France (September 5–7).
A staple on the WorldSBK calendar, Magny-Cours delivered warm and dry race conditions following heavy rain on Thursday that tested teams during their final preparations. With nearly three months since the previous round in Misano, the French round marked the start of a crucial four-race run to the championship finale in Spain this October.
Kawasaki Dominates Qualifying and Race One
In Friday’s Superpole session, 18-year-old Veneman marked his WorldSSP300 return with a statement performance, taking pole position for MTM Kawasaki by nearly half a second over Salvador and almost a full second under the previous lap record. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) joined them on the front row, making it an all-Kawasaki top three.
Race One saw Veneman convert pole into victory after a fierce battle with Matteo Vannucci (Yamaha) and teammate Thompson. Veneman sealed the win with a decisive final-chicane pass on Vannucci, crossing the line just 0.053 seconds ahead. Thompson, after a last-lap mistake at Lycee while attempting a double pass, recovered to finish third, just 0.628 seconds back.
Six Kawasaki Ninja 400 riders finished inside the top nine, led by Veneman’s win and supported by strong rides from Mirko Gennai (7th), Jose Manuel Osuna Saez (8th), and Daniel Mogeda (9th). In total, half the 34-rider field competed on Kawasaki machinery.
Race Two Thriller and Salvador’s Breakthrough
Sunday’s second race produced another nail-biting WorldSSP300 showdown under hotter midday conditions. Veneman and Jeffrey Buis (KTM) set the early pace before being reeled in by a nine-rider lead group that included Thompson, Salvador, and Mogeda.
Thompson briefly broke away, but the constant slipstream battles quickly reeled him back in. Veneman, Thompson, and points leader Benat Fernandez all took turns at the front before late-race drama unfolded. On the final lap, Veneman and Buis collided at Lycee, dropping Veneman to 14th while Buis was forced out with a concussion after contact from another rider.
Amid the chaos, Salvador executed a perfectly timed attack to claim his second career WorldSSP300 victory, edging Vannucci by 0.243 seconds and Thompson by 0.805 seconds. Mogeda secured an excellent fourth place, just over a second off the win, while Gennai (7th), Osuna Saez (9th), and Roberto Saez (10th) added more Kawasaki presence inside the top ten.
Championship Standings After Magny-Cours
Salvador’s win and consistent weekend elevated him to just 11 points behind series leader Fernandez (150 points). Injured Julio Garcia remains third on 133, while Thompson sits fifth on 125, still within a race victory of the lead.
1st Benat Fernandez - Kove - 150 points
2nd David Salvador - Kawasaki - 139 points
3rd Julio Garcia - Kawasaki - 133 points
4th Jeffrey Buis - KTM - 125 points
- Thompson – 125
In the Manufacturers’ Championship, Kawasaki extended its lead to 57 points over Yamaha (209–152). Team ProDina XCI Kawasaki continues to lead the Teams’ standings, with MTM Kawasaki just one point shy of second place.
Loris Veneman
MTM Kawasaki
“The first race went great from start to finish. The pace wasn’t too high, but manageable, so I could prepare for a last-lap attack. Into the final chicane it worked perfectly. Matteo made a mistake earlier, and I closed the gap. On the last downhill section I braked earlier to focus on the exit, and when Matteo left the door slightly open I thought, ‘I’ll just do it.’ It worked out, and I couldn’t be happier with the win.”
Carter Thompson
MTM Kawasaki
“Saturday’s race went well overall. I didn’t get the best start, but I worked to move forward and stay consistent. My pace felt strong, although I struggled a little with the bike toward the end and made a mistake in the final section that cost me the chance to fight for the win. Maybe I could have been more aggressive, but it was still a solid race. On Sunday I was really happy with the result. I felt good all weekend, and I really enjoyed racing at this track for the first time. Overall, a positive weekend.”
David Salvador
Team ProDina XCI Kawasaki
“Race One was complicated. We made a change in the morning that didn’t suit the track conditions, and after my long-lap penalty I dropped to 18th. The pace was fast, but I recovered to finish sixth, which wasn’t bad given the circumstances. Race Two was a completely different story. Even with a technical issue earlier in the day, I pushed hard from the start and stayed in the fight. On the final lap I braked late, overtook Veneman, and defended to the line. To take the victory is fantastic for me, my team, and my family. This win is very important for us.”
