Orellana extends EJC lead at Donington Park

The fourth round of the 2015 Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda, took place at Donington Park in the UK this afternoon with series leader Javier Orellana notching up his third win of the season.

With 30 riders taking to the 4.023km Donington Park circuit on identical Honda CBR650F machines, Orellana was well placed from pole position to avoid a first lap crash which accounted for four of the leading riders, including Emanuele Pusceddu, who was victorious last time out at Imola in Italy.

Spaniard Orellana battled the remaining nine laps with French rider Guillaume Raymond but was able to open up a three-second gap by the time the chequered flag was waved. Raymond finished second with Italian rider Paolo Grassia third.

Orellana has now opended a 27-point cushion at the top of the table at the halfway point of the season, with Grassia moving up to second place at the expense of the unfortunate Pusceddu, who slips to third.

In the FIM European Women’s European Cup, local wildcard rider Charlie Oakland enjoyed a good battle with New Zealand’s series leader Avalon Biddle who emerged ahead of her rival in the final reckoning and continues to lead the championship.

Javier Orellana

I’m really, really happy, because it was a perfect race for me. In my mind I never thought I would be able to open such a gap. I started from pole position and I wanted get to the front as fast as possible because always on the first lap it is a little crazy. In fact, I got second position behind Raymond and we were leading for two or three laps. Then, with three laps to go I pushed for a really fast lap and I was able to open the gap to get my third win of the year. I saw the first lap crash on the big screen but I didn’t know it was Emanuele until I got to the podium. Of course it’s not good for him but it means a 28 point championship lead for me.

Gerry Bryce – series director

Another spectacular EJC race but the pack was split after an early crash in the left-hander at Craner Curves, which catches out so many riders in so many classes because it’s the first time on the left side of the tyre. Unfortunately we lost four of the front runners in that group, which left a battle between Javier and Guillaume. In the end Javi had that little bit extra to push and take the win and with it a commanding lead in the championship. Sadly for Emanuele Pusceddu he was injured, thankfully not too seriously but we’ll have to see how that affects the title race. Wildcard Charlie Oakland had a great race in the Women’s European Cup but Avalon Biddle showed again that she seems to be the favourite in that class. All in all, a great European Junior Cup weekend.

2015 Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda

Round four, Donington Park, UK – Sunday, 24 May

Results:

1 J Orellana (ESP)

2 P Grassia (ITA)

3 G Raymond (FRA)

4 D Laville (FRA)

5 S Wilford (GBR)

6 D Loureiro (POR)

7 A Coppola (ITA)

8 I Fernandez (ESP)

9 I Cipriettii (ITA)

10 H Soomer (EST)

Championship standings after four of eight rounds:

1 Orellana 91, 2 Grassia 64, 3 Pusceddu 57, 4 Raymond 53, 5 Laville 40, 6 Soomer 37, 7 Coppola 29, 8 Ciprietti 27, 9 Fernandez 17, 10 De Gruttola 24.

Next round: 7 June – Portimao, Portugal