American Kensei Matsudaira Takes Top 10 Finish in ESBK PreMoto3 Race in Valencia, Nathan Gouker Injured in ESBK Moto4 Race
The second round of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship was held this past weekend at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. Americans Kensei Matsudaira and Nathan Gouker raced respectively in the PreMoto3 and Moto4 categories.
Kensei Matsudaira entered the weekend on a high note after a top 5 finish in the opening round of the championship in Jerez, but suffered a crash in free practice and with scattered rains throughout the day, was not able to find a good setup going into qualifying. He ended the qualifying session in the gravel without being able to set a fast lap, and was relegated to starting from 21st on the grid for the two races of the weekend.
In Race 1 on Saturday, Kensei made a good start and worked his way forward to take the checkered flag in 13th, continuing his points-earning streak. Kensei again fought from the back on Sunday in Race 2, showing an even faster pace and finally finishing the race in 10th place.
Kensei Matsudaira:
“It was a difficult weekend with 2 crashes and starting from so far back. I made pretty good starts in both races and worked my way up as quickly as possible, but it wasn’t enough to catch the top group. In the first race it was difficult to even set a decent pace since I was fighting with chatter the entire race, but in the second race we made some changes and it was better and I could fight much closer to the front. I was able to lead the 2nd group for most of the race but in the end I was just beaten to the line and finished P10. Tough weekend and overall could have been better, but we made some progress and I’m looking forward to the next race in Estoril.”
Nathan Gouker began the weekend with a strong showing, finishing free practice in 5th and qualifying 13th out of 20 riders. After a good start, Nathan was fighting in the middle of a large group when he crashed after contact with another rider. Unfortunately, Nathan injured his arm in the crash and was transported to the hospital, bringing an end to his race weekend.
Nathan Gouker:
“I want to thank all the fans and our team’s supporters for coming out this week. Unfortunately I made a small mistake going into T2 on lap 5, I couldn’t get the bike stopped and ran into the back of another rider causing me to go over the bike and land on my arm breaking my humerus. I’m sorry to all the fans that came to see us race at our home track. I hate that I will miss a few rounds, hopefully just two, but I know I’ll be back stronger and more determined to get to the front and battle. Thank you to everyone that has sent positive wishes and thoughts, we appreciate it very much.”
The team wishes Nathan a speedy recovery and encouragement to come back even stronger.
The next race, round 3 of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship will be held at Circuito Estoril in Estoril, Portugal on July 6-7.
There are 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
About Our Sponsors
For over two decades, Evike.com has been the world’s most trusted innovator and retailer of airsoft training equipment. Evike.com is the exclusive manufacturer, distributor, and authorized repair center of many premier airsoft brands in the sporting, military/law enforcement training, movie/film and commercial markets. The core values of innovation, a passion for quality, safety, and a personal touch in providing unparalleled customer support have made Evike.com second to none in the industry.
Iconic Motorbikes is a premier motorcycle dealership and online auction house that builds, restores, and sells classic sportbikes and motorcycles. With their expertise and passion for all motorbikes, they provide exceptional service and a seamless buying experience for motorcycle enthusiasts all over the world. Whether you’re looking for a vintage bike to restore or a modern sportbike to hit the road, Iconic Motorbikes has something for every rider.
STADLER is a world-leader in designing, manufacturing, and installing post-consumer materials recovery facilities. Successful systems built by Stadler include those for sorting, screening and complete Material Recovery Solutions for MSW, co-mingled & single-stream, paper & OCC, lightweight packaging, plastic bottles, C&I, C&D, & RDF. STADLER has installed more than 300 complete turn-key recycling plants 10.000 single machines worldwide. STADLER’s high quality engineering and manufacturing is currently under its 8th generation of family ownership and is based in Germany with offices on every inhabited continent.
Results - ESBK 2024 PreMoto3 Round 2 Valencia
Results - ESBK 2024 Moto4 Round 2 Valencia
