16 Sep 2017 Li Zheng-Peng wins as championship is settled - ZIC Superbike 600cc Race 5

In the qualifying session for the ZIC Superbike 600cc Race 5 yesterday, #26 Li Zheng-Peng took the pole position with 1:39.352. Ouyang Fu, leading the points standings, took second position. The two riders fastest times were both within 1:40s. Third on the grid is #17 Lin Zhi-Fei in CL2 class. He is 19 points behind leader Hu Zhao-Neng.

At 11:33 the lights are off and the race begins. After one lap, Li Zheng-Peng and Ouyang Fu pull away from the rest to form the leading group. Fourth place starter Hu Zhao-Neng passes Lin Zhi-Fei for third place near the end of lap 1. He now leads the chasing group.

On lap 3, Ouyang Fu achieves the fastest lap of the race: 1:39.147. He then passes Li Zheng-Peng on the main straight to take the race lead. But Li makes a quick response by passing him back. The two riders are fighting each other in a fierce battle.

With just two laps to go, the chasing group is still led by Hu Zhao-Neng. #17 Lin Zhi-Fei and #25 Deng Yuan-Hong follow him but they are a few seconds further behind. If no incident happens, then the order is more or less set.

On the last lap, Li Zheng-Peng extends his lead to 1.4 seconds and soon he crosses the line to win the race. The Xian rider once again proves his ability.  Ouyang Fu only manages to finish second, but with the points advantage he has, he has got the championship locked up. Hu Zhao-Neng finishes third overall and the winner of CL2. At the same time he also claims the CL2 championship.

Back in the 600cc category, Li Zheng-Peng said although he achieved a lights to flag victory, he is not on his best form yet. He hopes to win the race again tomorrow. CL2 winner Hu Zhao-Neng said he wins because of his steady attitude. Although he did not do well in qualifying, he makes up for it with his rich race experience. He hopes to perform just as well tomorrow.