Edgar Pons, the new Moto2 European Champion
Twenty-five thousand fans packed the paddock and grandstands to enjoy the sun, spring temperatures, blazing speeds and undiluted excitement of the final six races of the season at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana. With Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) already crowned champion in Jerez, this time it was the turn of Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex), who was pronounced champion of the Moto2 European Championship.
The first Moto2 European Championship race was reduced to 13 laps after another red flag, forcing riders to go all out with little time for strategies. Eventual winner Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech 3) pushed hard from the start, closely watched by Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex), who settled in to take second place on the podium. Meanwhile, Lucas Mahias (FRA-Transfiormers) and Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex) rode together for much of the race, taking stock, with the French rider finally managing to shake off his South African rival to clinch third place and the “Repsol free fuel voucher” prize.
The second Moto2 European Championship race began quietly, with Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech3) starting from pole position and taking a seven second lead over his opponent, Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex). Meanwhile, the Páginas Amarillas HP 40 Junior rider rode comfortably, unchallenged by other riders. The two kept their positions to the flag, repeating the results of the first race earlier in the day. A tough struggle for third place involved Lucas Mahias (FRA-Transfiormers) – who was eventually left out of the running by mechanical problems – Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex), Luca Marini (ITA-Kalex), Tetsuta Nagashima (JPN-Kalex), Alan Techer (FRA-Tech 3) and Eric Granado (BRA-Kalex). Right to the final lap Luca Marini (ITA-Kalex) was looking good but a clash with Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex) sent him off the track, leaving Tetsuta Nagashima (JPN-Kalex) to take third place – his second podium this season. Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex) and Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech3) finish the season as champion and runner-up respectively, while Alan Techer (FRA-Tech 3) earns the bronze medal. Marcos Ramírez (SPA-Yamaha) was proclaimed champion of Superstock 600, with Abián Santana (SPA-Yamaha) runner-up and Lachlan Epis (AUS-Kawasaki) in third place.
Carmelo Morales, the new Superbike European Champion
In the Superbike European Championship, Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) quickly took the lead and pulled clear, riding solo right to the finish line. Behind him Robertino Pietri (VEN-Yamaha), Maximilian Scheib (CHI-BMW) and Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW), fought a non-stop battle, risking everything to gain the upper hand. Luck was not on the Venezuelan rider’s side as he crashed out, allowing the Chilean rider to take second place, adding a new best result among the privateer riders and earning another “Repsol free fuel voucher”. Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW) came in third. With Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) already champion, Bonastre was proclaimed runner-up with third place going to Robertino Pietri. The gold medal among privateer riders went to Eeki Kuparinen (FIN-BMW), with silver for Pierre Texier (FRA-Kawasaki) and bronze for Axel Maurin (FRA-Kawasaki).
