Steve Jones wins the Red Bull Air Race in Porto Gaia - Portugal in 2007.

600,000 spectators packed the banks of the Douro River in Porto and Gaia, Portugal for the eighth leg of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2007. Roads came to a standstill and trains were sold out as thousands flocked to watch the race, making it the biggest single-day sporting event in Portuguese history. Steve Jones (GBR/Team Matador) beat Mike Mangold (USA/Team Cobra) by 0.38 of a second in a thrilling battle and had his first victory of the season.

Jones put in a sterling performance for the huge Portuguese crowd with a great run in the final through the 17-gate course to defeat Mangold. He posted a winning time of 1 minute 10.00 seconds. Paul Bonhomme (GBR/Team Matador) took third by winning the consolation race against Peter Besenyei (HUN/Team Red Bull).

“It was great”, said Jones after the race. “I was hoping to get into the 1:10s. To do a 1:10 level is amazing. I just think this track really suited my airplane. The airplane is doing very well so I’m extremely happy. I’ve also helped Paul a bit (by beating Mangold), which is good, even if it was not as much as possible. And it’s good for the Matadors team, of course, getting points for the team competition as well.”

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