Accompanied by high temperatures – and seven thousand fans over the weekend – Pons and Morales celebrated victories in the Moto2 European Championship and Superbike European Championship races disputed today at MotorLand Aragon.
Today was the fourth event and midpoint of the season, so riders were looking for points to get a good position in the overall table.
MOTO2
In the Moto2 both wins and the “Repsol free fuel voucher” prizes went to Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex, in the photo above), whose victories were more of a parade than anything else. In the first round, a comfortable advantage of more than three seconds over his pursuers allowed him to cross the finish line alone. Behind, there was a duel between Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex) – in second place in the overall classification – and Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech3) – in third place – to provide some thrilling final corners. Alan Techer (FRA-Tech3), Federico Fuligni (ITA-Suter) and Eric Granado (BRA-Kalex), fought brilliantly right to the chequered flag. Luca Marini’s (ITA-Kalex) exit from the track unfortunately prevented him scoring any points.
In the second Moto2 European Championship race of the day, Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex), once again proved untouchable, and now has a 39-point lead in the overall standings. Xavi Vierge (SPA Tech 3) nabbed second position and Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex) third. The Yellow Pages HP40 Junior Team rider led right from the off and increased his lead as the laps went by. Behind him, a duel developed between Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech 3) and Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex), and finally the South Africa was all set to take second when the Targobank Motorsport rider passed him just a few meters from the finish line.
SUPERBIKE
Today’s Superbike European Championship race at MotorLand was the hundredth time the top category race had been held, beginning in 2002 at the Circuit de Albacete. From pole position, Dani Rivas (SPA-BMW) led until Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha, in the photo above) took over to lap alone to earn his third consecutive victory (and “Repsol free fuel voucher” prize). Rivas (SPA-BMW) and Iván Silva (SPA-BMW) outpaced the rest of the field until mechanical problems slowed Silva and left him to take third place behind Rivas. Eeki Kuparinen (FIN-BMW) was the victor in the privateers category. Current champion Kenny Noyes was taken to Hospital Clínico in Zaragoza after suffering a bad fall during the warm-up. He has been diagnosed with a head injury.
The next FIM CEV Repsol event – the 5th of the season – will be at Circuito de Albacete (Spain), on the 5th and 6th of September.
