The start of Moto2
Overcast skies and the constant threat of rain at Albacete in the fifth round of the season failed to curb the enthusiasm of fourteen thousand fans or the determination of the riders who were the real protagonists today. With the track still damp after overnight rain but gradually drying out, winners Vierge in the Moto2 European Championship and Silva and Morales in the Superbike European Championship were all forced to ride rather cautiously.
In the Moto2 European Championship race, Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech 3) and Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex) pulled away from the off, staying together right to the end of the race, with Vierge leading and Pons close behind looking for an opening which he eventually took with five laps to go. But in the end it was the Targobank Motorsport rider who passed the finish line first after taking back the lead from the Páginas Amarillas HP 40 Junior Team rider. Accompanying Vierge on the podium were Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex) – still leader of the general classification – and Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex)..
In the first of the Superbike European Championship races today Iván Silva (SPA-BMW), and Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) got pulses racing during the early stages until a fall on the 5th lap left the Yamaha Laglisse rider virtually out of the running for a podium slot. From then on, the Targobank Motorsport rider rode alone till the flag, well ahead of the pack and without a serious challenge to his lead. Second and third place were taken by Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW) and Mashel Al Naimi (QAT-Kawasaki), who was also the quickest of the privateer riders. Carmelo Morales fought back splendidly to secure a well-deserved fourth place.
During the second race, leader of the Superbike European Championship standings Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) had better luck, leading from start to finish to take victory and 25 points. Meanwhile, Robertino Pietri (VEN-Yamaha) and Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW) rode together, each taking the measure of the other rider in search of second place – something which in the end Iván Silva (SPA-BMW) prevented. The Spanish rider started out slowly, but gradually upped the pace to earn second place at the line. Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW) took third. Mashel Al Naimi (QAT-Kawasaki) was once again first privateer rider past the finish.
The next FIM CEV Repsol event – the sixth of the season – will take place at the Circuito de Navarra on October 3 and 4.
Ival Silva, winner of Race 1 in Superbike
