In the 2025 FIM JuniorGP World Championship’s second round at Jerez, American riders Mikey Lou Sanchez and Kensei Matsudaira worked hard in the European Talent Cup (ETC) category.
From a press release issued by Mikey Lou Sanchez Racing :
On June 1st the FIM JuniorGP European Talent Cup Championship completed its second round at Circuito de Jerez. Despite a complicated weekend joining a new team, Mikey was able to achieve his goal and finish inside the top 10.
Race one he cross the line in 13th, but was DQ’d because he got a double long lap penalty for starting the race with his front wheel over the line. He completed the two long laps, but not in the proper amount of time. Late in the race he received a ride through pit lane penalty, but did not complete that in the allotted time so they black flagged and disqualified Mikey from race one. To insure he learned his lesson for ignoring the late race penalties they gave him a double long lap penalty for Race two.
In race two he completed his double long lap penalty within the first five laps of the race and caught back up to the second group. With two laps to go he was able to pass six riders and managed to finish a strong 9th position.
“This weekend I joined the AC Racing Team and learned a lot. I also reached my goal to get a top 10. I’m looking forward to the next race at the end of June in France,” said the Texan-American.
More from a press release issued by Evike :
On Sunday June 1, Japanese-American Kensei Matsudaira made his debut in the FIM JuniorGP World Championship in the European Talent Cup category with the Snipers IgaX Team in Jerez, Spain.
Despite previously only having had a 2-day test with the bike and team and joining the championship in the second round, Kensei immediately showed his potential with a strong pace during the free practice sessions on Thursday and Friday, and qualified in the top 28 out of 53 riders to go directly into Sunday’s races.
Out of 30 riders starting the main races on Sunday, Kensei started from P27 and finished 20th in the first race but unfortunately suffered a DNF in the opening lap of the second race after being pushed wide into the gravel.
Kensei Matsudaira:
“Race day was a bit frustrating but honestly I have to be happy first of all with making it into the main races through qualifying, only the top 28 go through out of the 53 riders that showed up for the weekend and that was my first big hurdle. Then to have had some pretty decent pace throughout the weekend and learning a lot racing at this level. Huge thanks to the Snipers IgaX team for welcoming me into the team to make my JuniorGP ETC debut, it was an excellent start and I can’t wait for the next race!”
Kensei’s next race in the 2025 FIM JuniorGP World Championship will be at MotorLand Aragón in Alcañiz, Spain on July 27th.
The races are streamed online and can be viewed for free at: https://www.youtube.com/@FIMJuniorGP/streams
Kensei Matsudaira is supported by: Evike.com, Iconic Motorbikes, HJC Helmets, Dave Designs, Bullit Electric Cycles, Bison Track, TJ Corse, Alpinestars, Almassera El Teular, Ohvale USA, Apex Motorsports Park, Project SLUSH, Moto Tecnica, California Superbike School, Slacker by Motool, Bickle Racing, MadLabs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, D.I.D Chain, Yoshimura R&D, American Racing, NLAB Studio & Wraps, Karen E. Ott Photography, VNM Sport, Vortex Racing, Renthal, Hans King, Live 100 Moto, KiwiMoto72