American Nathan Gouker Takes His First Top 10 Finish in ESBK Moto4 Race in Barcelona, Anthony Lupo Jr. Takes Top 15 Finish in Moto4, Kensei Matsudaira Injured in PreMoto3 Qualifying
July 28, 2024
The fourth round of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship was held this past weekend at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. Americans Nathan Gouker and Anthony Lupo Jr. raced in Moto4, and Kensei Matsudaira in the PreMoto3 category.
Nathan Gouker returned to racing after an injury sustained six weeks ago in Round 2 in Valencia where he fractured his arm. Nathan made a strong return, qualifying 14th and finishing the weekend’s races with an 11th place finish in race 1, and a 10th place finish in race 2 where he finished less than 5 seconds from the race winner while setting the 3rd fastest lap time of the weekend.
Nathan Gouker:
“So thankful to be riding again. The Ajevo Nox#27 team had the Stadler bike working great all weekend, 2nd fastest top speed in race 2. Happy to show them some progression and better results than my previous showing. Of course we’re looking for better results, but recovering from injury just 6 weeks ago, this is exactly the weekend we were hoping for. We learned a ton, showed we have pace, and are starting to understand how to be more consistent and competitive each weekend. Thanks to all my sponsors, we couldn’t do this without you!”
After making his ESBK Moto4 debut in Round 3 at Estoril, Anthony Lupo Jr. continued to adapt to the new category and made progress throughout the weekend. He qualified in 18th and completed the two races of the weekend in 14th and 16th, getting closer and closer to the front each time and setting his fastest lap of the weekend in race 2.
Kensei Matsudaira continued to work with the team to improve the setup of his bike and his riding in the PreMoto3 category, and despite a strong showing in qualifying, he suffered a high speed crash at the end of the qualifying session and was ruled out of competition in the two races of the weekend. Fortunately his injuries were not serious and he will be making a return to racing for the next round in Estoril.
Kensei Matsudaira:
“I was working well during all the sessions and made another step forward in qualifying but unfortunately I had a big highside in turn 7 and wasn’t able to race this weekend. Nothing broken and I will be back on a bike in week. Thanks to HJC Helmets, Bison Track, and Alpinestars for keeping me safe. Full gas for the next round in Estoril! Thank you to the team and everyone for their support.”
The next race, round 5 of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship will be held at Circuito Estoril in Estoril, Portugal on August 31 – September 1.
The Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team is supported by: Comodity Window Films, Alquilocar, FRC Fercometal, Reprocenter, Nadalfret, Viel Carrocerias
Nathan Gouker is supported by: Stadler, CP Motorsports, Bob Robbins, Quarterly Racing, NGS Racing, KYT Americas, VO2 Leathers, Cornerspin, Fastglass Media, Motul USA, 64degrees Racing, 35 Motorsports, FormaBootsUSA, Carolina Supermoto, Ride Supermoto, Daniels Tire
Anthony Lupo is supported by: Hans King, American Supercamp, Nanelli Riders Academy, MadLabs Minimoto, LS2 Helmets, Mini Moto Alliance, 73 Moto Parts
Kensei Matsudaira is supported by: Evike.com, Iconic Motorbikes, HJC Helmets, Dave Designs, Bullit Electric Cycles, Bison Track, TJ Corse, Alpinestars, Almassera El Teular, Project SLUSH, Moto Tecnica, California Superbike School, Slacker by Motool, Bickle Racing, MadLabs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, D.I.D Chain, Yoshimura R&D, NLAB Studio & Wraps, Karen E. Ott Photography, VNM Sport, Galfer USA, Vortex Racing, Hans King, The Starting Grid, Moto Survival School, Mini Moto Alliance, Live 100 Moto
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