Canet, Vierge, Silva, Morales and Valera dominate at the Circuito de Albacete

Overcast skies and the constant threat of rain at Albacete in the fifth round of the season failed to curb the enthusiasm of fourteen thousand fans or the determination of the hundred or so riders who were the real protagonists today. With the track still damp after overnight rain but gradually drying out, winners Canet in the Moto3™ Junior World Championship, Vierge in the Moto2™ European Championship, Silva and Morales in the Superbike European Championship and Valera in the Kawasaki Z Cup were all forced to ride rather cautiously.

The Moto3 ™Junior World Championship race started out slowly, with the leading group led by Joan Mir (SPA-Ioda-Honda) until a fall left him out of the race a third of the way through. Arón Canet (SPA-Honda), Nicolò Bulega (ITA-KTM), Albert Arenas (SPA-Husqvarna) and Lorenzo Dallaporta (ITA-Husqvarna) were quick to respond, pulling away from the rest of the field, until Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA-Husqvarna) fell victim to the unpredictable surface and found himself out of the running. Finally Arón Canet (SPA-Honda) won with a comfortable margin, trailed by Nicolò Bulega (ITA-KTM) and Albert Arenas (SPA-Husqvarna), with a good distance between the three as they crossed the line. The “Repsol free fuel voucher” prize was awarded to the victorious Junior Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 rider who consolidated his leading position in the results table with today’s win.

In the Moto2™ European Championship race, Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech 3) and Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex) pulled away from the off, staying together right to the end of the race, with Vierge leading and Pons close behind looking for an opening which he eventually took with five laps to go. But in the end it was the Targobank Motorsport rider who passed the finish line first after taking back the lead from the Páginas Amarillas HP 40 Junior Team rider. Accompanying Vierge on the podium were Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex) – still leader of the general classification – and Steven Odendaal (RSA-Kalex). Marcos Ramírez (SPA-Yamaha) won the Superstock 600 race to strengthen his position at the top of the overall standings.

In the first of the Superbike European Championship races today Iván Silva (SPA-BMW), and Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) got pulses racing during the early stages until a fall on the 5th lap left the Yamaha Laglisse rider virtually out of the running for a podium slot. From then on, the Targobank Motorsport rider rode alone till the flag, well ahead of the pack and without a serious challenge to his lead. Second and third place were taken by Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW) and Mashel Al Naimi (QAT-Kawasaki), who was also the quickest of the privateer riders. Carmelo Morales fought back splendidly to secure a well-deserved fourth place.

During the second race, leader of the Superbike European Championship standings Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) had better luck, leading from start to finish to take victory and 25 points. Meanwhile, Robertino Pietri (VEN-Yamaha) and Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW) rode together, each taking the measure of the other rider in search of second place – something which in the end Iván Silva (SPA-BMW) prevented. The Spanish rider started out slowly, but gradually upped the pace to earn second place at the line. Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW) took third. Mashel Al Naimi (QAT-Kawasaki) was once again first privateer rider past the finish.

At the start of the second race of the Kawasaki Z Cup held this weekend it began to drizzle, although the track remained relatively dry. However, a nasty fall brought out the red flag and the race was halted at that point. Francisco Javier Valera posted his second victory this season, while Daniel Carrau and Joan Sardanyons accompanied him on the rostrum to uncork the champagne.

At the end of the warm-up, those attending the FIM CEV Repsol today at the Circuito de Albacete have honoured the memory of Dani Rivas, Bernat Martínez, Joan Garriga and those killed in the Rally of A Coruña this weekend.

The next FIM CEV Repsol event – the sixth of the season – will take place at the Circuito de Navarra on October 3 and 4.

All the results and information about the Championship can be found on the official website: www.fimcevrepsol.com