Under the attentive eyes of eight thousand five hundred fans, the European Moto2 and Superbike Championship season began with the meeting held at the Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal.
With a strong headwind the first Moto2 European Championship race set off, with the leading positions being settled in the first few corners. While Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex), Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex), Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech3, in the photo) and Luca Marini (ITA-Kalex) lapped relatively calmly up front, a fierce struggle for fourth slot was taking place just behind them between Tetsuta Nagashima (JAP-Kalex) and Eric Granados (BRA-Kalex). Five laps from the end, Alan Techer (FRA-Tech3) joined in the battle. In the end, the podium honours were taken by Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex), finishing with an eight-second gap between him and second place rider Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech3), with Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex) coming in third.
Rain threatened all day and finally began to fall in the second Moto2 European Championship race. After their excellent performances earlier, Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex), Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech3) and Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex) dominated the race until the South African crashed out. Gradually, gaps between the leading riders opened until in the end the red flag came out to warn of dangerous rain conditions. With over 50% of the race run, the competition was declared over, leaving Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech3) in winning position. He was accompanied on the podium by Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex) – who will be have to show his best at the Gran Premio bwin de España next week, where he is taking part as guest rider – and Eric Granados (BRA-Kalex). Marcos Ramírez (SPA-Yamaha) stood out as best rider in the Superstock 600 in both races today.
Despite a brief rain shower around noon, conditions were ideal for the second Superbike European Championship race scheduled for the day. With another 25 points in the game, the overall leader and his nearest rival – Kenny Noyes (USA-Kawasaki) and Carmelo Morales (SPA, in the photo) – played out the same story as in the earlier race, but this time with a different outcome. The Kawasaki Palmeto PL Racing rider yet again took charge, closely pursued by his opponent on the Laglisse Yamaha. True to his style and more confident of the setup of his bike in the second race, Morales (SPA-Yamaha) attacked a few laps from the end and after a tough scrap with Noyes finished first past the flag. Second and third place went to Noyes and Robertino Pietri and (VEN-Yamaha). Pierre Texier (FRA-Michelin) was best privateer in both races.
All the races can be watched at the following link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGIwVftx76c&feature=youtu.be
