Granado wins FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup race simulation
Brazilian back on top in Valencia as the first ever MotoE™ race gets underway
Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama) took victory in the first ever FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup “race” in Valencia, with riders lining up for a race simulation at the start of final day of the preseason test. The Brazilian missed out on pole by just 0.025 to Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) on Tuesday, but he fought back once the lights went out to overtake the Spaniard on the final lap. Garzo took second, with Niki Tuuli (Ajo MotoE) – another who has shown consistent pace in practice so far – completing the podium a few tenths further back.
Nico Terol (Openbank Angel Nieto Team) took fourth, with Matteo Ferrari (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the top five. One man expected to be in that tight fight at the front wasn’t on track, however – Tuesday’s fastest Bradley Smith (One Energy Racing) was absent as he undertook testing duties in MotoGP™.
The riders then got a chance to have a final 30-minute session from 17:00, although it ended prematurely in a Red Flag due to crashes for Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Maria Herrera (Openbank Angel Nieto Team), riders both ok. The session was their last chance to test before heading out on track at the Sachsenring for the first round of the season and it was Tuuli who went fastest with the quickest time of the test, a 1:40.127 and 0.486 quicker than second place Casadei. Garzo was third on the timesheets at the end of Day 3, and race simulation winner Granado was 0.533 off Tuuli’s benchmark in fourth. 2008 125 World Champion Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) completed the top five.
So that’s it from Valencia and winner Granado heads home with an Energica Eva as his prize. Now the E-Paddock gears up for the Sachsenring, which plays host to the opening round of the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup from the 5th to 7th July.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta: “It was very good, from the beginning the way we wanted to do it was makes races and I think today we showed it was a real race, with all the riders competing. I was talking to them and they were very happy. And we’re happy because I think it’s a way to enter into this new energy and show we can do with it the same we’ve been doing since 1992.
“As with everything we do, it’s very important, MotoE™ just as any other category. Everything we do is important for us, and we’re trying to share with spectators how good motor racing is.”
More, from a press release issued by Octo Pramac Racing:
#ValenciaTest Race. Good result for Alex: P9 after a great comeback. Josh grits his teeth and concludes the race (16th).
The first race simulation of the #MotoE era gave a show at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. The 18 riders who will participate in the 2019 season of #MotoE, battled in the 7 laps of the race simulation with numerous overtakes and no crashes.
Alex De Angelis was the protagonist of a very positive race. Forced to start 14th on the grid after vibration problems in qualifying, the Octo Pramac Moto E rider managed to recover four positions in the first lap and then chased Canepa passing him two laps to the end.
Josh Hook went back on track after missing the second day of testing due to food poisoning and has gritted his teeth managing to conclude 7 very important laps in view of the season that will begin in the first weekend of July at Sachsenring (Germany).
P9 – Alex De Angelis
“I’m really very satisfied. It was an extremely interesting and useful race simulation because compared to the first two days of testing we managed to find a set up that allowed me to be very competitive. I finish this first race simulation with a smile.”.
P16 – Josh Hook
“It was an important test as in the first two days of testing I managed to do very few laps, and I was forced to missing the qualifying session. They have been 7 laps useful to get familiar with the circuit and especially to do some kilometres on the bike in view of the debut in Germany.”.
More, from a press release issued by Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Racing:
Last MotoE test ends before Sachsenring debut
Completing both qualifying and race simulations have been the successful conclusion to a positive test for Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Mike di Meglio.
The Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo hosted three productive test days to prepare for the premiere of the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup, which is scheduled for the German Grand Prix.
The test consisted of five free practice sessions, a one-lap qualifying session called E Pole, and a seven-lap mock race.
Di Meglio qualified ninth in E Pole after setting a personal best time of 1:42.234, which was just over a second-and-a-half behind pole setter Hector Garzó.
In a tight race, di Meglio crossed the line in eighth place, just 4.821 seconds behind simulation winner Eric Granado.
Satisfied with the work done and with clear ideas on the points to improve, the MotoE part of Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS bids farewell to Valencia and heads to Germany’s Sachsenring to join the Moto2 squad on the first weekend in July.
Mike Di Meglio: “I think we’ve worked well and managed to make a constant progression”
“I think we’ve worked well and managed to make a constant progression. We’re starting to have a pretty clear direction to follow with this bike. We tried a lot of things and we didn’t stop moving forward. It’s a very sensitive machine that responds immediately to any change that is made, so you must be careful and be precise in the modifications of adjustments to avoid getting lost. Overall it was a positive test and the times are quite tight. It’s true that I didn’t take the risks that I would take in a real race but without doubt the experience we’ve gained these days will be very useful for Sachsenring.”
More, from a press release issued by Gresini Racing:
MOTOE TEST DRAWS TO A CLOSE AT VALENCIA ON HIGH NOTE
With the first-ever MotoE season opener around the corner (July 7th, Sachsenring), Valencia hosted a crucial three-day test for Team Trentino Gresini MotoE, with summer temperatures and clear skies helping the on-track work of Matteo Ferrari and Lorenzo Savadori.
The #11 appears to have familiarised quite well with the MotoE as he managed to get up to speed already from day one. Despite a tyre problem, Matteo Ferrari logged a personal best time of 1’41. and also praised the single-lap E-Pole format.
Lorenzo Savadori had a bit more of a difficult time due to a small technical issue that prevented him from getting on track in the first session. His 1’42.5secs lap-time means he will have to work harder on his riding style – which is still a bit too “Superbike”.
MATTEO FERRARI #11
“It’s been an important test and we improved a lot lap after lap. There’s a nice atmosphere within the team and this can only help. We had a little bit of bad luck as well due to a faulty tyre during practice, but still things went smooth and I had a lot of fun on this bike. We also did an E-Pole and a race simulation. I must say that I really like the qualifying format – like the old Superpole. We were quite quick even though we’re still one second away from the leaders, but I’m sure there’ll be a chance to close the gap.”
LORENZO SAVADORI #32
“This has been the first real test with the bike. Unfortunately I lost one session due to a small issue that prevented me from riding. The bike has a different character to what I’m used to, so obviously the riding style has an impact on that. It’s very different from a MotoGP or a Superbike, with long and heavy braking: here we need to be a bit smoother both under braking and in mid-corner. I’m getting used little by little to the bike, I’m having a bit of a hard time, but it’s still a test and it was important to get to know this bike better.”
More, from a press release issued by Tech3 Racing:
Positive test for Tech3 E-Racing in Valencia
The FIM Enel MotoE World Cup was back this week with brand-new built Energica bikes and a very motivated Tech3 E-Racing team for three days of intense testing at the Valencia circuit in Spain.
Thereby, both Hector Garzo and Kenny Foray were able to try several things with their new machines during open sessions, but also practiced starts and did an E-Pole, plus a race simulation on Wednesday. In doing so, Garzo topped the majority of the sessions, won the E-Pole and battled for the win in the simulated race until the last corner with a fantastic second position as a result.
With great achievements and many ideas, Tech3 E-Racing concludes the final pre-season preparations ahead of the first of six races, which will take place in just a few weeks’ time at the Sachsenring, Germany.
Hector Garzo
Position (Race): 2nd
Time: 1:40.132
Laps: 64
“We started with normal settings and found our pace quite early. We tried different shocks and tyres for the bike and found the way, that we wanted. The E-Pole was a really good test for that moment and finally, for the race, I think we have all the settings we want on our way. We have a decent base for Germany and for the start of the season with this bike. Everything is good and I’m really confident.”
Kenny Foray
Position (Race): 13th
Time: 1:41.581
Laps: 66
“The first day was quite good, my feeling was there and for the E-Pole and the last session yesterday, we tried something, which was not so perfect for me, therefore my feeling was not ideal. So, we came back this morning for the race simulation. The feeling was there, but I started so far, therefore, I was not able to do the race I wanted. Anyway, I’m happy, because we were able to understand more session by session.”
Hervé Poncharal
Team Manager
“With the end of the three days test for the MotoE in Valencia, we as Tech3 E-Racing are very, very happy about it. For sure, at first, I would like to thank Energica and Enel for their hard work by having everything ready for a full and strong test. It was great, to be back on track, but also amazing to see the bikes riding a complete race distance with the simulation. I believe it was also very interesting to try the E-Pole and all together it went well. The life of the batteries seems to be good enough without any dropping for a proper sprint race and for sure, I would also like to thank our whole crew and especially Hector for his fantastic job during these three days. He was fastest on day one and topping almost each session, he won the E-Pole and showed a very great fight with Eric Granado in the race simulation, in total he delivered a very good feeling for the entire team. Kenny, who is a rider with a bit more experience, I believe, has learned a lot from his young teammate and it is fantastic have such a great relationship in between our two riders. We’ve got a good team, we are happy and I believe MotoE will soon be a real part of the MotoGP championship and after what we saw in Valencia, I’m quite sure that the people at the Sachsenring will enjoy the very first MotoE race a lot. We still have a few things to prepare, but I think all of the MotoE field can’t wait to be in Germany for the first official MotoE practice session.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR:
LCR E-TEAM READY TO RACE AFTER FINAL TEST IN VALENCIA
The first-ever FIM MotoE World Cup is close to getting started after the entire field of competitors enjoyed a final three-day test ahead of the maiden round of the series at the Sachsenring in Germany in three weeks’ time.
The LCR E-Team of Niccolò Canepa and Randy de Puniet enjoyed differing fortunes during the test days, which included a full simulation of a race weekend, including a mock race and E-Pole session.
Having had a good two days preparing, Italian Canepa started off the simulation race in ninth position and battled hard with a tough group, eventually coming out in tenth place. Meanwhile French star De Puniet was feeling the effects of two crashes during the practice days, and was forced to withdraw at the end of the first lap.
Nonetheless, both riders are positive about the progress made during this final test session, and looking forward to the opening round of the cup in Germany – the first of six races at four venues.
Niccolò Canepa – 10th
(in simulation race)
“I’m happy with these three days of tests, finally we managed to get three days straight with uninterrupted good weather which has helped us understand things a bit better. It’s taken a bit of time to get used to as it’s all a bit different to a traditional motorcycle, but we’ve been getting much closer”.
“The race simulation was fun, and we were battling in the group for fifth place, and it definitely understand a little more how you need to ride the E-bike, and how to be faster with it. I think we’re nearly ready now, although there is still work to do but we’ll be good for the races. I’m happy with how this new adventure is going, and excited about forming part of the championship’s debut.”
Randy De Puniet – DNF
(in simulation race)
“The test hasn’t been easy for us, not as good as at the last test in Jerez. The feeling was really good there, but here we have struggled a little bit. I crashed early on the first day after five laps, when the feeling with the bike was quite good, but I had a big high side and a lot of pain in my foot. Then in the afternoon we had some trouble with the setting and some chattering. We fixed the problem on the second day, and I improved my bike and got a bit more confidence. Unfortunately I then had another high side and hurt my elbow. So I decided to only do one lap of the simulation race so as not to take any more risks.
“We need to continue to work on the bike to see what we can improve so I can feel more confidence. It wasn’t the test we were hoping for, but I think that by Sachsenring we should be able to get things in good shape so I can fight for a good position in the opening race.”