Americans Kensei Matsudaira and Nathan Gouker Make Debut in ESBK Championship in PreMoto3 and Moto4 Categories, Matsudaira with a Top 5 Finish
April 10, 2024 – Americans Kensei Matsudaira and Nathan Gouker made their respective debuts in the PreMoto3 and Moto4 categories in the first round of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship with Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team this past weekend at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in Andalusia, Spain.
For 13-year-old Japanese-American Kensei Matsudaira, it was his first race in the PreMoto3 category after moving up from a successful season fighting for wins and podiums in Moto4. Although Kensei and the team struggled to find outright pace in qualifying with a 14th place starting grid position, they continued to work to find the necessary settings to be competitive in the races. On Saturday, despite a poor start, Kensei steadily worked his way forward and finished the race in 11th position leading the second group with a gap of 15.3 seconds to the winner.
On Sunday, Kensei made an excellent start and fought his way up to finish in 5th place, only 3.5 seconds behind the winner.
Kensei Matsudaira:
“I’m really happy I was able to stay with the front group in race 2. It was difficult to start from P14 but I got a good start and just kept moving forward. I was able to get to the front of the second group with a 4 second gap and bring it down to less than 2 seconds at one point. I had a big moment while I was pushing to catch the front guys and lost a few seconds, but I as able to just work forward again and finish P5. Excited about the progress I made with my riding and the setup of the bike in the new category. I will be even stronger in Valencia which will be me and my team’s home race!”
For 12-year-old Nathan Gouker, it was his first time competing in the ESBK championship and he started the weekend strong, completing the free practice sessions on Friday with the 2nd fastest lap time in the Moto4 category. On Saturday, Nathan continued to show his potential with an impressive 6th place qualifying result.
In Saturday’s race, Nathan had a difficult start, getting pushed wide after contact with another rider and dropping to the back of the pack. However, he worked his way forward and finished in the lead of the second group in 11th place, 17.3 seconds behind the winner.
On Sunday, Nathan made a good start and was racing in the top group until lap 5 when he suffered a crash in turn 1. Despite the DNF result, Nathan showed his pace and potential to fight at the front in the Moto4 category.
Nathan Gouker:
“Overall it was a positive weekend with my new Ajevo/Stadler Race team. Qualifying P6 was a great start to the season and shows we can be up front, but I’m disappointed to not give them better race results from round 1. I feel very confident that we will find our place at round 2, in Valencia.”
Round 2 of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship will be held at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain on June 1-2, 2024. This will be Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team’s home race. Fans, friends and supporters are encouraged to reach out to the team or riders for details on attendance.
There are also still openings within the team for additional riders interested in wildcard opportunities or joining the ESBK championship in the Moto4 and PreMoto3 categories.
Please direct all team inquiries to: [email protected]
The Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team is supported by: Comodity Window Films, Alquilocar, FRC Fercometal, Reprocenter, Nadalfret, Viel Carrocerias
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
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
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