There was excitement all the way to the end of the second round of the FIM CEV Repsol with honours going to Fabio Quartararo (FRA-Honda), Gabriel Rodrigo (SPA-KTM) and Hiroki Ono (JPN-TSR Honda) respectively. The high expectations of the race at Le Mans were mirrored by the excitement on the track. A clear sky and mild temperatures allowed the Moto3™ riders to reduce even further the previous day’s qualifying times.
The race began with a red flag after a spectacular accident on the grid involving several riders. Makar Yurchenko (KAZ-RBA Racing Team) was hospitalized, although his condition is not serious. As a result of this incident the race was reduced to nine laps.
When the light went off again, an exciting race developed, with Quartararo leading, followed closely by María Herrera (SPA-Honda), though her challenge was cut short when she went down early on second lap and was forced to abandon the race.
The Frenchman opened up a gap of up to five seconds over his pursuers. With the Junior Team Estrella Galicia 0.0 rider going clear at the front, the real struggle took place behind, with pole position rider Gabriel Rodrigo (SPA-KTM)successfully battling it out with Marcos Ramírez (SPA-KTM), Jorge Navarro (SPA-Ioda ), Albert Arenas (SPA-Mahindra) and Andrea Migno (ITA-Kalex). The Italian Aspar-VR46 Team rider had a good race, making some breathtaking overtaking moves.
Taking last slot on the podium was Hiroki Ono (JAP-TSR Honda), who staged a surprising comeback from 15th place on the grid to snatch third place.
The “One year’s free Repsol fuel” prize went to winner Fabio Quartararo.
The next round of the FIM CEV Repsol will take place at Motorland Aragon on 7th and 8th June, where the third meeting of the season will be held, with riders competing in the Moto3, Moto2-Superstock 600 and Superbike-SBK privateer categories.
Media and teams are reminded that this season the FIM CEV Repsol will provide an extra service, free of charge, with the aim of assisting press and teams in their coverage of the championship. Photos of riders will be made available from each race in the FIM CEV Repsol championship, and will be downloadable from an ftp folder accessible in this newsletter.
Fans who wish to can relive the excitement of the races on the official Youtube channel of the Championship.
For all race results and relevant Championship information, visit our website: www.fimcevrepsol.com
More, from a press release issued by VR46 Riders Academy:
VR46 Riders Academy
CEV second round
Le Mans (France) – May 17, 2014. Andrea Migno, Luca Marini and Nicolò Bulega, VR46 Riders Academy’s riders, finished Le Mans race in fifth, tenth and thirteenth position, in a nine laps reduced race, against the seventeen originally planned, due to an accident at the first start.
At the second start, Andrea Migno earned immediately the third position and started a close fight with other riders that will end at the chequered flag with the final fifth position, performing the fastest race lap in 1’44.002.
Also Luca Marini, Migno teammate in the Team Aspar-VR46, was involved in a close fight ended in the tenth position, after nine laps of continuous improvement.
Nicolò Bulega, the youngest rider of the VR46 Riders Academy that raced for Calvo Team, finished his race in the thirteenth position. He could have done a better race, but he suffered a problem at the gear box.
Nevertheless some positive results for the VR46 Riders Academy, that continues his experience in a difficult championship as the CEV.
Migno and Marini won’t rest during next days, in fact they will travel to Valencia on Wednesday and Thursday, for a two days test session where they will continue to develop the bike. Then, also with Bulega, they will be engaged in Aragon (Spain), for another test session before the third race of the championship, scheduled on June 8.