Orellana and Biddle crowned champions in Spain

Javier Orellana finally got his hands on the 2015 Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda, in round seven at Jerez in Spain this afternoon, as fellow Honda CBR650F competitor Avalon Biddle became the very first FIM Europe Women’s European Champion.

The original 10-lap race at the 4.423km Jerez circuit was stopped on lap six after a last corner crash with local wildcard rider Xavi Pinsach leading the way. Pinsach completed victory in the five-lap re-start in which Orellana finished in third place.

The 18-year-old Spaniard had been denied the championship after being taken out of the lead with just three corners remaining in the last round at Misano in Italy, but that disappointment was made up for today as he climbed the EJC podium for the sixth time in seven races. Misano is the only podium that Orellana has missed out on and he has won four of the sixth races he has finished.

Similarly, Biddle has dominated the inaugural FIM Women’s championship that has been run within the European Junior Cup races on identical Honda CBR650F machines. The New Zealander has impressed many with her consistency this season and she currently lies 23rd in the overall EJC points standings.

The final round of this season’s championship will take place at Magny-Cours in France on 2 October.

Javier Orellana – 2015 Pata European Cup Champion

It’s been a difficult year but it’s great to finally get the championship. In the first race today I was too nervous and the two fast guys got away. In the restart I knew I had to stay with them so I pushed with them. In the last lap I felt really comfortable and thought I could overtake Pusceddu for second but I nearly had a highside in the last corner, maybe because some fluid was on the track. I looked behind me and saw I was alone so I was able to celebrate the championship. It’s a big relief after Misano when I was very upset but it’s fantastic to do it here with the support of all my friends and family so I’m really, really happy.

Avalon Biddle – 2015 FIM Europe Women’s European Champion

It’s quite a relief to get it done really – it’s awesome and I’m really happy, not just for myself but for everyone who has supported me to get here. My sponsors, my mum, my boyfriend Jake have helped me out a lot. It’s great for females as young as 14 to have an opportunity to come and race in a European championship at a world championship event. It’s just what the sport needed to get more girls interested and the beauty of this championship is that we are all on identical machinery. There are no advantages or disadvantages for anyone and you get to race with the boys so you can really push yourself. You get to know where you stand overall, while getting recognized for being a female in a male-dominated sport. I’m so thankful to everyone who put this championship together.

2015 Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda

Round seven, Jerez, Spain – Sunday, 20 September

Results:

1 X Pinsach (ESP)

2 E Pusceddu (ITA)

3 J Orellana (ESP)

4 P Grassia (ITA)

5 G de Gruttola (ITA)

6 H Cabuk (TUR)

7 S Wilford (GBR)

8 M Ciprietti (ITA)

9 S Hill (GBR)

10 T Bezuidenhout (RSA)

Championship standings after seven of eight rounds:

1 Orellana 132, 2 Grassia 90, 3 Raymond 82, 4 Pusceddu 77, 5 de Gruttola 60, 6 Soomer 59, 7 Laville 59, 8 Coppola 57, 9 Wilford 52, 10 Cabuk 38

Next round: 2 October – Magny-Cours, France

Gerry Bryce – series director

It’s been an eventful but great weekend’s racing and we’re happy that both Javi and Avalon have wrapped up their respective championships; they’re both worthy champions. It was a very close battle today but it was unfortunate that the red flag broke it up a little. But Javi was on the podium and the race winner, Xavi Pinsach, is a wildcard with Spanish magazine Solo Moto. They were joined by Emanuele Pusceddu who fulfilled the potential he showed at the start of the season. It’s been quite hot today and it’s been a fantastic day’s racing!