More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Zaccone in the zone: Italian takes impressive first MotoE™ victory in Jerez
Aegerter and Torres complete the podium as Granado slides out the lead in a drama-filled first race of the 2021 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup
Sunday, 02 May 2021
Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE) has had some pretty solid speed in preseason testing and throughout the first FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup race weekend of the season, but the Italian really pulled it out the hat on race day. Moving up to fight at the front early on, a crash out the lead for Eric Granado (One Energy Racing) saw the Italian take over and he kept cool, calm, collected, and, even more importantly, FAST on his way to his first ever MotoE™ win. The riders he held off were 2020 challenger Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) and reigning Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) as both put in showcases in pace and consistency to take second and third, respectively.
Tech3 E-Racing’s Lukas Tulovic took the holeshot from the middle of the front row as the lights went out for the first time in 2021, the German rolling around the outside of poleman Granado, but his lead didn’t last for long as the Brazilian steamed back through on the run down to Turn 6. Meanwhile, both Corentin Perolari (Tech E-Racing) and Kevin Zannoni (LCR E-Team) were caught in a tangle through Turn 5, bringing an early end to their afternoons.
Back nearer the front, Tulovic was starting to get bullied as Zaccone and Aegerter also found a way through in the final sector as the first lap was ticked off. Some drama came not long after for the number 3, however, as he came together with Openbank Aspar Team’s Fermin Aldeguer at Turn 6 and both went down, the Saturday star and speedy rookie ending the day with real disappointment.
Meanwhile, Granado was starting to pull clear thanks to the fastest lap of the race, and although Zaccone was digging in and trying to stay with him, there was daylight appearing between the two. Then, with five laps remaining, disaster struck for the Brazilian. Victory was surely his for the taking but a mistake at Turn 6 cost him dearly as he crashed out of the lead, at least remounting but riding round to grab the last few points.
Zaccone was looking pretty collected as he took over at the front, but soon enough Aegerter closed in on the Italian’s rear wheel and began applying some serious pressure. He threw the kitchen sink at it, but the Pramac man stood firm throughout the closing stages and that was all she wrote. From a broken leg at the start of last season to a victory at the start of this, Zaccone crossed the line to announce some big progress in 2021 as he settles in with Octo Pramac MotoE.
Aegerter took second after warning late on from a bit of a moment, and he was pleased to have started the season with a podium, as was last year’s World Cup winner as Torres began his defence with a solid third place. From both, consistency was a calling card once again.
Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Mattia Casadei clinched fourth as he comes back from injury that saw him miss the first preseason test, and LCR E-Team’s Miquel Pons took the final spot inside the top five after another good performance from the impressive rookie. One of the rides of the day came courtesy of 2019 World Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) too, who managed to move through from the back of the grid to take sixth and recover some ground after his track limits infraction in E-Pole.
Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) was seventh, ahead of Andrea Mantovani (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE), Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team) and Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) rounding out the top ten in the first race of the year. Granado eventually took 13th.
And so the sun sets on Spain and, MotoE™, like the rest of the paddock, now saddles up and heads for Le Mans. Last year conditions were mixed and the round had the title on the line, so what will 2021 bring as the track hosts Round 2? Find out in two weeks!
Alessandro Zaccone: “It’s an unbelievable result, I knew we were fast and could fight for the podium, but to win was just a thought. To be here is fantastic, I did half the race in front after Granado’s crash. And it was just five laps but it felt like it never ended! I’m very happy, and I have to thank my team for believing in me. After a difficult year last year with the injury and everything, to start from here is great, I think we’ll enjoy this season! ”
More, from a press release issued by Energica:
ZACCONE TAKES MAIDEN MOTOE WIN IN DRAMATIC OPENING RACE AT JEREZ
The opening race of 2021 FIM Enel MotoE World Cup at ‘Circuito de Jerez Angel Nieto’ produced another exciting and drama-filled show for the fans of the all-electric one-make series powered by Energica. The eight-lap encounter was won by Italy’s Alessandro Zaccone, who stepped atop the podium for the first time after showing a great mix of raw speed and focus up to the chequered flag. This is the first win for both the Rimini-born rider and the OCTO Pramac MotoE team, who selected him after his rookie MotoE season last year.
2020 title contender Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt IntactGP) secured a well deserved second place ahead of the reigning World Cup Champion, Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40=, with the Swiss rider looking at times able to take a shot at the lead in the second half of the race. The Spaniard, on the other hand, proved to be the most consistent rider in the MotoE field, a skill that was key last year in his successful quest for the title.
There was plenty of drama to take into account to get the perfect picture of how this race unfolded. Yesterday’s E-Pole top-three all went down at some point in the race: pole sitter Eric Granado (One Energy Racing) crashed out of the lead while trying to pull away from the chasing pack, while Lukas Tulovic (Tech 3 E-Racing) and Fermin Aldeguer (OpenBank Aspar Team) had a coming together triggered by the German rider making an overly ambitious overtaking manoeuvre. Unlike the other two, Granado was able to get back on his bike, crossing the line in 13th.
Fourth place went to Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadracorse) ahead of rookie Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team), 2019 title winner Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) and another debutant, Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo Motorsport).
Xavier Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and Corentin Perolari (Tech 3 E-Racing) were two others who did not make it to the finish line.
Energica and MotoE will return to action in a fortnight’s time at Le Mans, France.
ABOUT ENERGICA MOTOR COMPANY S.p.A
Energica Motor Company is the first Italian manufacturer of high-performing electric motorcycle and is the single manufacturer chosen by Dorna for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup. Energica Motorcycles are on sale worldwide.
