Augusto Fernandez – 2014 European Junior Cup Champion
Spaniard Augusto Fernandez duly secured the 2014 Pata European Junior Cup title at Magny-Cours in France today, setting the seal on eight rounds of dazzling racing on identical Honda CBR500R machines.
Fernandez, who celebrated his 17th birthday last week, needed just a single point from today’s 10-lap race to wrap up the championship in which he had already scored four race wins and one other podium.
But, with a total of 12 riders crashing out of contention, he took his sixth podium in this afternoon’s wet encounter at the 4.411km Magny-Cours circuit, following the day’s two World Superbike championship races.
Fernandez stood on the Magny-Cours podium with race winner Javier Orellana, who finishes as runner-up in this year’s series, 56 points clear of Angelo Licciardi, who was third. Second place in today’s race went to French wildcard rider Dorian Laville.
Fernandez’s prize for winning the title is a ride with the Racedays Honda squad in next season’s FIM European Superstock 600 championship on a Honda CBR600RR and the young Spaniard is clearly excited at the prospect.
Augusto Fernandez – 2014 Pata European Junior Cup champion
“Today’s race was very crazy! Many people were passing me and I asked to myself what should I do? Go with them or stay in seventh place and win the championship? I was lucky, I guess, because four riders crashed in front of me and I was able to get to the podium! I am so very happy and want to say thank you to all the people who have supported me. I think we have done a really good season and I didn’t crash in any of the races, so I am happy about that! I’m also happy to be a part of this team in Superstock 600 on Honda’s CBR600RR next year.”
Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda Racing – round eight
Magny-Cours, France, 4.411km – result (10 laps):
1 Javier Orellana (ESP)
2 Dorian Laville (FRA)
3 Augusto Fernandez (ESP)
4 Jamie van Sikkelerus (NED)
5 Vasco van der Valk (NED)
6 Braeden Ortt (CAN)
7 Gaetan Gouget (FRA)
8 Hannes Soomer (EST)
9 Maurice Karsijns (NED)
10 Alex Wisdom (USA)
Final championship points:
1 A Fernandez 155, 2 Orellana 140, 3 Licciardi 84, 4 I Fernandez 83, 5 Josh Harland 72, 6 Mike Perez 66, 7 Marc Miralles 62, 8 Soomer 57, 9 Jesper Hubner 51, 10 van Sikkelerus 48.
More, from a press release issued by Michael Hill Promotions:
Wisdom Ends Season With A 10th Place Finish At Magny-Cours
CADS Racing’s Alex Wisdom finished 10th in the final 2014 race of the European Junior Cup after starting from 23rd on the grid.
The young American who went quicker by almost two seconds in final qualifying yesterday appeared to relish the difficult wet conditions at the Magny-Cours circuit, moving into the top 15 before half distance.
With conditions unpredictable and many riders risking a lot Alex rode a smart race choosing to follow his rivals, picking his moments to overtake and ending the season on a high note after the disappointment of Jerez.
In the overall championship Alex closed to within 1 point of twelfth and had it not been for 2 difficult races in Misano and Jerez, it’s likely he could have finished well inside the top ten at the end of year.
Looking back and then ahead, it’s clear to see the vast step forward made in 2014 by the CADS Racing rider and with the intention of returning to the series in 2015 on the new 650cc machine, the future looks rosy for the former American champion.
Alex Wisdom: “After yesterday I was quite deflated, even though I went faster the position was not what we were aiming for but for the race I just thought ‘I have nothing to lose’ and gave it everything. The conditions were crazy but I used my head and managed another top ten finish which is great as I can take this renewed confidence into the winter. I want to say a huge thanks to CADS Racing for backing me again in 2014, to my dad for all his efforts at the weekend, to Arai, HELD, to Michael Hill Promotions and to all of my supporters. I really enjoyed the season and I cannot wait to be back in the paddock next year.”