EJC Champion Javier Orellana looking forward to Supersport debut
Young rising star Javier Orellana is ready to take on a new challenge in his already extensive career, in the European Class of the FIM Supersport World Championship. The Spaniard will race with team WILSport Racedays as a direct consequence of becoming Champion in last year’s European Junior Cup, powered by Honda. The 18-year old, currently residing in Palma de Mallorca, has been competing at international level since he was 11. He eventually graduated to WorldSBK’s entry-level category – that has been under Honda’s wing since 2013 – the right breeding ground to show his talent and speed while growing as a professional racer around some of the most iconic racetracks in Europe.
Like former EJC rivals Jake Lewis and Augusto Fernandez before him, Orellana was granted a supported ride with a Honda team in the European, 600cc-powered class of World Superbikes. But as the STK600 is now merging with World Supersport into a brand-new category, Javier will have the chance to fight side by side with some of the most acknowledged and talented stars in motorcycle racing.
“I feel very privileged to be able to be competing in such a prestigious championship. I will be racing only the European rounds, but it will still be against some incredible riders. It won’t be an easy challenge but I’m sure that with some hard work we can do well. I’m also very happy to continue being part of the Honda Racing family,” began Orellana.
“To be racing alongside riders with huge talent like Kenan (Sofuoglu) and Jules (Cluzel), for example, will teach me a lot. This will be an important learning year for me and the team to build up for the seasons to come. But my aim is eventually to race at the front of the category.”
As part of Honda’s continuing effort of allowing young riders to showcase their abilities on a path upwards to the top of motorcycle racing, the 2016 European Junior Cup will commence on April 3rd at MotorLand Aragón for the first of eight rounds. All entries will compete on identically prepared Honda 650F machines, and the races will be broadcast live for free on WorldSBK’s YouTube channel.
“The European Junior Cup is a great series,” Orellana continued. “Being able to race on the European tracks of the Superbike World Championship is a massive plus in terms of knowledge for the future. It’s a great opportunity to get some great visibility and of course, with the ultimate prize comes a fantastic opportunity to step up.”
Applications for the 2016 European Junior Cup, powered by Honda and FIM Europe ‘Women’s European Cup’ are still open. If you are between 14 and 21 years old – 23 is the upper age limit for female racers – and you are looking for a highly competitive and affordable series to showcase your skills on the international stage, click here.