Proving the weather forecasts spot on, sun and high temperatures dominated at the MotorLand Aragón circuit today, where participants of the Moto3™ Junior World Championship, Moto2™ European Championship and Superbike European Championship looked to set their best times ahead of tomorrow’s racing. Mir, Pons and Rivas were the quickest riders in their respective categories and will start from pole positions in the five races scheduled for Sunday.
In Moto3™ Junior World Championship, the competitive Joan Mir (SPA-Honda) posted the quickest times in both sessions. Davide Pizzoli (ITA-Husqvuarna), with his best results so far, will start from the second slot, just ahead of the young Jaume Masia (SPA-Honda). Only 0.59 seconds behind, in fourth place, Bo Bendsneyder (NED-Honda) will be looking for a good slipstream from the off to keep him in the leading group. Meanwhile, ever-consistent Nicolò Bulega (ITA-KTM) will fill the fifth slot, with the second row closed out by Lorenzo dalla Porta (ITA-Husqvarna), who along with Davide Pizzoli (ITA-Husqvarna) puts the Laglisse Academy team in the leading positions.
Once again, Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex) was the fastest in the Moto2™ European Championship, without breaking 1:55.00, leaving nearest rival Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech 3) 0.3 seconds behind. Overall, the times of the top riders were very close, which indicates how competitive tomorrow’s racing could be. Again among the fastest was Luca Marini (ITA-Kalex) who will close the front row, thus confirming his good form this season despite his recent arrival in the intermediate category. On the second row will be Eric Granados (BRA-Kalex), who in the second session lowered his best time by just over a second. Joining him be South African rider Steven Odeendal (RSA-Kalex) and Frenchman Alan Techer (FRA-Tech 3), who just a few minutes before the end of the second session suffered a fall that forced him to visit the medical center to rule out possible injuries.
Track conditions were completely different for the two sessions of the Superbike European Championship. While the morning freshness favored better times overall, the heat that prevailed in the afternoon session encouraged caution. Dani Rivas (SPA-BMW) posted a lap of 1.53:562 and will start from pole position – the first time this season that the Boxmotos.com Easyrace SBK Team rider has been on the front row of the grid. Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) and Ivan Silva (SPA-BMW) will join him in second and third place respectively. In view of the results, it seems that the German bikes are well suited to this circuit. Best privateer rider was Finn Eeki Kuparinen, also riding a BMW.
The race schedule for next Sunday is as follows:
Moto3™ (15 laps): 11.00
Moto2™ (15 laps): 12.00
Superbike (15 laps): 13.00
Moto3™ (15 laps): 14.00
Moto2™ (15 laps): 15.00
As usual, the entrance to the paddock will be free on Sunday. In addition, FIM CEV Repsol fans who make their way on Sunday to box 25 in the of MotorLand Aragón paddock can pick up a pass to join the Pit Lane walk that will take place before the start of racing.
On Sunday at the end of racing fans who wish to may ride on the track where the races have been run. The information and requirements for participating are here.
From Spain, races can be seen live via the MotoGP Channel of Movistar which will broadcast all of the races scheduled in the Moto3™ Junior World Championship, Moto2™ European Championship and Superbike European Championship categories. The Energy channel of Mediaset Spain will also cover the FIM CEV Repsol, broadcasting both Moto3™ Junior World Championship races, the first of the Moto2™ European Championship races, and the Superbike European Championship race. BT Sports (UK) and Eurosport through Eurosportplayer (France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland), will also offer coverage of the Moto3™ Junior World Championship, Moto2™ European Championship and Superbike European Championship races, with live broadcasts of each of the races scheduled for this weekend on one of their TV channels or via digital broadcast. In Italy, Sky will broadcast live both races of the Moto3™ Junior World Championship, as well as the two Moto2™ European Championship races.
Race highlights will have a global reach through FOX (Asia and Australia) and ESPN Deportes (Latin America).
In other countries, all the races can be seen on the Championship Youtube channel.
All the results and other information about the Championship can be found on the official website: www.fimcevrepsol.com