Azcona takes control of the world title and arrives in Macao with a wide lead

Mikel Azcona crossed the finish line with the throttle open and a new advantage in the championship. The Hyundai driver won the third race of the Zhejiang weekend, ahead of Norbert Michelisz and Thed Bjork. It was the eighth victory of his career in the category and, above all, the result that puts him in an almost privileged position before the final round in Macao.

The weekend was not a quiet walk. Azcona, Michelisz and the other leading drivers fought on a dry track after two races affected by the weather. There were frequent contact and several formal warnings from race control. Just another Saturday, if one forgets that the championship was boiling over in every corner.

The biggest damage came to Santiago Urrutia. The Uruguayan had reduced the deficit to Azcona to just 17 points after Saturday's second race, but a forced stop in the pits due to damage caused by contact on track ended his comeback. He dropped to tenth place in the race and is now third in the general standings, six points behind Michelisz.

A 33-point cushion and one round left

Azcona now has 445 points, compared with Michelisz's 412. The gap is 33 points, and the title will be decided in Macao. Urrutia remains mathematically in the fight, but the scenario is no longer the same: the Spaniard arrives as the clear leader, while the last round carries the highest compensation weights for the leading group.

That factor could still open the door for a comeback. On a street circuit, with the heaviest compensation applied to Azcona and Michelisz, a single incident or a strong performance from a rival could shake things up. The margin is comfortable, not untouchable.

• Azcona won the third Zhejiang race, his eighth victory in the category since 2023.
• Michelisz finished second and moved to second place in the championship, six points ahead of Urrutia.
• Urrutia was forced into the pits by race damage and fell to tenth place.
• Diego Moran lost performance due to a turbo problem and finished eighth.
• The championship will be decided in the final round in Macao.

I remember how quickly a race can change when the asphalt dries and everyone starts fighting for position. In Zhejiang, the championship did not end with the chequered flag. It took shape in the pit lane, with Urrutia's recovery halted and Michelisz moving closer. Azcona, meanwhile, signed the weekend with the decisive gesture: crossing first and reaching Macao with breathing room.

“The important thing is that the result was achieved without relying on someone else's mistake. Urrutia's problem gave Michelisz room, but Azcona was the one who crossed the line first.”Leandro Moyano

Next up is Macao, the only stage where the title can still be defined. Azcona has the advantage, Michelisz has the strongest pursuit, and Urrutia will need to take risks. A circuit on streets, compensation weights and a compressed general standings: the recipe is set. The finish line is waiting.