Orellana leads home another EJC classic in the UK

Spanish rider Javier Orellana won today’s fourth-round Pata European Junior Cup race at Donington Park in the UK today, winning his first race of the season after another epic battle on board Honda’s CBR500R machine.

Orellana beat Belgian Angelo Licciardi to the chequered flag by 0.719s after 10 laps of the 4.023km Donington Park circuit in a support race to the fifth round of the World Superbike championship.

Another Spaniard, Augusto Fernandez, finished third today, just one tenth of a second behind Licciardi, but retaining his championship lead thanks to victories in the last two rounds at Assen in the Netherlands and Imola in Italy.

Local rider Josh Harland took pole position for today’s race but crashed out of contention on lap two. The 19-year-old was taken for a precautionary medical check but expects to be fit for round five in four weeks’ time.

There were no fewer than four riders who crossed the line in the lead at various stages of today’s race, but there were plenty of other lead changes too. Swedish rider Jesper Hubner was among the leading group until he crashed out of the race with just four laps to go.

“It was another fantastic race on the CBR500Rs,” said Orellana after the race, “and I am very happy to take my first win after finishing second in two races already this season. Now we are halfway through the championship so I must work hard to stay at the front for the second half of the season.”

The 2014 Pata European Junior Cup powered by Honda will re-assemble at Misano in Italy for round five of the series on 20-22 June.

Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda Racing – round four

Donington Park, United Kingdom – result (ten laps):

1 Javier Orellana (ESP)

2 Angelo Licciardi (BEL)

3 Augusto Fernandez (ESP)

4 Illan Fernandez (ESP)

5 Mike Perez (ESP)

6 Marc Miralles (ESP)

7 Jamie van Sikkeleru (NED)

8 Connor London (NZL)

9 Alex Wisdom (USA)

10 Carmen Geissler (SUI)

Championship points after four of eight rounds:

1 A Fernandez 79, 2 Orellana 73, 3 Miralles 63, 4 Hubner 40, 5 Licciardi 34, 6 I Fernandez 34, 7 Perez 33, 8 Harland 27, 9 Grassia 27, 10 London 26

Next round: Misano, Italy – 20-22 June

More, from a press release issued by Alex Wisdom’s publicist:

Career Best Dry Result For Alex Wisdom At Donington Park

American teen Alex Wisdom rode a calculated race at Donington Park to claim a well deserved 9th position, his second top ten of the year, after a race long 10 lap battle.

Starting from 13th on the grid, Alex made a great start to end the opening lap 10th before fighting hard for the entire race, making some impressive passing moves on the high speed Starkeys section of the track.

At the flag and with a comfortable 26 second gap over the group behind, Alex grabbed his best ever dry result in his short European career and with it consolidates his position in the championship.

Alex Wisdom – CADS Racing: “It was a fun battle. Today was the first time that I have battled a whole race and it was good to know that I can fight. Thanks to my dad for fixing the bike after my crash yesterday. This weekend has given me more confidence and I can’t wait for Misano.”