FIM CEV Repsol heads to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for third round
After the breather enjoyed by some, riders of all four categories of the FIM CEV Repsol will meet again at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend.
Overall leader of the Moto3™ Junior World Championship Arón Canet (SPA-Honda) has impressed with his quick adaptation, as a win and a second place so far attest. Bo Bendsneyder (NED-Honda) is sixteen points behind – his performance has improved substantially over last season when his best showing was a sixth place. A few points adrift are Khairul Idham Pawi (MAL-TSR Honda) – a name on everyone’s lips after a second place finish at Le Mans –, Nicolò Bulega (ITA-KTM), who keeps on improving, and Joan Mir (SPA-Honda), who will have the opportunity in the two Moto3™ Junior World Championship races to make up lost ground after his failure to score points at Le Mans.
In the Moto2™ European Championship Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech 3) and Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex) share the lead, though Pons has the advantage of having competed at the track as wild card rider in the recent Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya. In third place overall, Eric Granado (BRA-Kalex) has adapted impressively and is looking to continue his success so far this season. Luca Marini (ITA-Kalex) and Alan Techer (FRA-Tech 3) make up the rest of the top five riders. In the Superstock 600 category Marcos Ramírez (SPA-Yamaha) leads the points table after two consecutive victories.
Superbike European Championship riders will be focused on qualifying practice to set up their machines and get a good position on the grid for Sunday’s race. Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) and Kenny Noyes (USA-Kawasaki) are level on points at the top of the table. The Yamaha Laglisse rider has the advantage of the support of his home fans, but it will be his first time on the new Yamaha at this circuit after years of racing Kawasakis. US rider Noyes will be eager to make amends after his error in the Portimao race and there’s no doubt about his experience or abilities – he has scored points in almost every race. Thirteen points behind comes Robertino Pietri (VEN-Yamaha) in third place in the overall standings. Also tied on points are Pierre Texier (FRA-Kawasaki) and Axel Maurin (Kawasaki-FRA) in the Superbike privateers category.
It is still early for a favorite to have emerged in the Kawasaki Z Cup. Francisco Javier Valera (SPA) has earned 45 points, but Victor Lozano (SPA) is only four points behind. We shouldn’t overlook category champion Joan Sardanyons (SPA), who will be fighting to make up for his performance in the second race at Portimao.
Sunday’s race schedule is as follows (local time)
Kawasaki Z Cup (16 laps): 11h
Moto3™ (16 laps): 12h
Moto2™ (17 laps): 13h
Superbike (17 laps): 14h
Moto3™ (16 laps): 15h
As ever, the entrance to the paddock will be free on Sunday. In addition, the first FIM CEV Repsol fans to approach the Accreditation Centre at the Circuit de Barcelona- Catalunya after 9am on Sunday can pick up their pass to take part in the Pit Lane walk that will take place before the start of the races.
From Spain, races can be seen live via the MotoGP Channel of Movistar TV and the Energy channel of Mediaset Spain, who will broadcast every one of the races scheduled in the Moto3™ Junior World Championship, Moto2™ European Championship and Superbike European Championship categories.
In addition, the impact of the FIM CEV Repsol is reflected in the interest shown by channels such as BT Sports (UK) and Eurosport through Eurosportplayer (France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland), which 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 Moto2™ European Championship race.
Race highlights will have a global reach through FOX (Asia and Australia) and ESPN Deportes (Latin America).
In other countries, all races will be shown live on the Championship’s Youtube channel.
Source: CEV Repsol
