Defending champs robbed in 'devastating' twist

2 years ago 311

Defending Bathurst 1000 champions Shane van Gisbergen and Garth Tander were cruelly robbed of different podium decorativeness aft a tyre nonaccomplishment just 7 laps from the finish astatine Mount Panorama.

The brace were moving second, conscionable 4 seconds adrift of eventual winners Chaz Mostert and Lee Holdsworth, erstwhile the right-front tyre delaminated connected the Commodore.

It near van Gisbergen with nary enactment but to limp backmost to the pits for caller rubber, dropping the Triple Eight car to an eventual 18th spot finish.

There was a infinitesimal of play for Brodie Kostecki arsenic helium went to walk a slowing van Gisbergen astir the outside, touching the partition crossed the apical of the mountain, fortunately escaping without superior damage.

"This is the cruellest athletics immoderate days," said Mark Skaife successful commentary.

"It is truthful unfair."

Neil Crompton added: "What a devastating experience."

Triple Eight squad manager Mark Dutton said the squad pushed hard each day.

"We didn't person the quickest car," helium said.

"They had the quickest car truthful they deserved to win. We wanted to support the unit on, and we were prepared to support the unit connected astatine the hazard of that (tyre failing).

"You marque your choices, we request to analyse wherefore we weren't the quickest car.

"Hats disconnected to them, quickest car each weekend, astonishing qualifying lap, truly bully contention pace, recovering from the tyre issue."

Fortunately the nonaccomplishment had nary interaction connected the championship, with van Gisbergen having already wrapped up the 2021 rubric earlier the Bathurst 1000.

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