Fernandez takes another European Junior Cup stunner in Portugal
Round six of the 2014 ‘Pata European Junior Cup powered by Honda Racing’ served up another treat at the Autodromo Internacional Algarve in Portugal yesterday, with Augusto Fernandez taking his fourth win of the season in another photo-finish.
The Spanish rider crossed the line just four thousandths of a second ahead of Angelo Licciardi from Belgium with Fernandez’s title rival Javier Orellana taking third place, a further 0.026s behind.
To add to the thrilling finish in Portugal, in typical European Junior Cup style, the first eight riders across the line at the end of the race were covered by 0.5s – all on identical Honda CBR500R machines.
It was Orellana who started the 10-lap race at the 4.592km circuit near Portimao from pole position but none of the leading group of nine riders was able to make a break for victory.
No fewer than six riders took their turn to lead at various points of the race but it was Fernandez who took the chequered flag to extend his lead at the top of the EJC points table to 27 points over compatriot Orellana with two rounds to go.
“It was a fantastic race, but really hard!” said Fernandez after the race. “I think we had about 10 riders fighting for first position. But I am very happy to take my fourth win this season, and my second consecutive. Now we have a little bit more of a lead in the championship and the next race is in Jerez, my home track, so let’s see what happens.”
Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda Racing – round six
AIA Portimao, Portugal – result (10 laps):
1 Augusto Fernandez (ESP) 20m49.381s
2 Angelo Licciardi (BEL) +0.004s
3 Javier Orellana (ESP) +0.026s
4 Illan Fernandez (ESP) +0.054s
5 Jesper Hubner (SWE) +0.065s
6 Mike Perez (ESP) +0.182s
7 Josh Harland (GBR) +0.465s
8 Hannes Soomer (EST) +0.525s
9 Stefan Hill (GBR) +1.143s
10 Alex Wisdom (USA) +19.528s
Championship points after six of eight rounds:
1 A Fernandez 129, 2 Orellana 102, 3 Licciardi 64, 4 I Fernandez 63, 5 Marc Miralles (ESP) 62, 6 Hubner 51, 7 Perez 50, 8 Harland 47, 9 Soomer 42, 10 Paolo Grassia (ITA) 35.
Next round: Jerez, Spain – 5-7 September
More, from a press release issued by CADS Racing:
Wisdom Produces Stunning Final Lap To Grab 10th At Portimao
Alex Wisdom rode a masterful race at Portimao this morning to notch up another top ten finish after an intense race long battle that saw him add a valuable 6 points to his championship tally with 2 rounds remaining.
Starting 10th on the grid, his best ever starting position, the American teenager made an average start that saw him complete the opening lap in 14th. Remaining calm he moved up to 13th before a number of laps as fast as the leaders saw him bridge the gap to the top ten.
By half distance he was exchanging places several times a lap with his rivals before after several attempts to break away he finally managed to open up a comfortable gap of 0.7s as he began his final lap.
With his CADS Racing team crossing fingers, arms and legs in pit lane Alex produced another stunning lap to grab a hard fought and well deserved 10th position at the flag, almost 1.5s ahead of the chasing pack.
Today’s result cements Alex in 13th position overall in the championship with every possibility of achieveing a top 8 overall standing dependent on the last two races.
Alex Wisdom – “Today was just brilliant. I had a strategy but I got forced wide at turn one so I just thought DON’T PANIC. I caught the front group quite quickly and I tried to break them but they passed me again. As we started the last lap I was at the front of the group and I just pushed as hard as I could. It is even better to be in the top ten with not one other rider failing to finish. I am confident now for the final two races and I want to thank my dad, CADS Racing, Held and Arai as well as ll of my other sponsors. See you all in Jerez.”