CEV Repsol, Jerez: Arenas and Bulega earn first wins; Vierge closes in on title; Morales proclaimed Champion of Superbike European Championship

Under an overcast sky, but with mild temperatures and a strong wind rather than the expected heavy rain, over ten thousand motorcycle racing fans gathered at the Circuito de Jerez to enjoy the seventh event of the FIM CEV Repsol calendar. Albert Arenas (SPA-Husqvarna) and Nicolò Bulega (ITA-KTM) celebrated their first victories of the season in the Moto3™ World Junior Championship. In the Moto2™ European Championship Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech 3) looks a strong contender for the title after winning today. Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) adds the Superbike European Championship title to his resume, after taking first position in both races.

The changing track conditions, with both dry and damp sections, led to several crashes in the first Moto3™ Junior World Championship race. Although Nicolò Bulega (ITA-KTM) started from the first slot, it was Joan Mir (SPA-Ioda-Honda) who initially took the lead to pull away from the chasing pack along with the pole position rider and Albert Arenas (SPA-Husqvarna). The VR46 Riders Junior Team Academy rider quickly upped the pace, but even with numerous changes of position the three riders stayed in close contact. The last lap was a frantic physical tussle but in the end Albert Arenas (SPA-Husqvarna) used his experience to snatch victory from Nicolò Bulega (ITA-KTM) and Joan Mir (SPA-Ioda-Honda) right on the line.

As had been forecast there were a few spots of rain as the second Moto3™ Junior World Championship race started, but the rain held off and the race went ahead without any problems. From the start, the three podium riders from the earlier race dominated, again lapping together, with Nicolò Bulega (ITA-KTM) in the first position, followed by Joan Mir (SPA-Ioda-Honda) and Albert Arenas (SPA-Husqvarna) trailing. However, a fall halfway through wrecked the Machado-Leopard Came rider’s hopes, as he slipped to the back of the field. While the leading pair took advantage of their sizeable lead over the chasing riders by interchanging positions and keeping a close eye on each other, a large group of riders were in contention for third place: Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA-Husqvarna), Tony Arbolino (ITA-KTM), Jaume Masía (SPA-Honda), Lorenzo Petrarca ITA-KYM) and Yuta Date (JPN-Honda). In the end it was Valentino Rossi’s acolyte Nicolò Bulega (ITA-KTM) who took top place on the podium for the first time in 2015 and was awarded the “Repsol free fuel voucher” prize, leaving Jerez as leader of the overall standings. Albert Arenas (SPA-Husqvarna) and Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA-Husqvarna) were second and third.

“Intense” is the only way to sum up the Moto2™ European Championship race. A fierce battle for control erupted right from the light: the explosive Tetsuta Nagashima (JPN-Kalex) and Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech3) were instantly on the front, with the Spanish rider making up 5 positions in a flash. With this pair at the head of the race, Edgar Pons (SPA-Kalex) – leader of the category – slipped back to duel for third position with Anthony West (AUS-FTR). Ahead, the leading two riders clocked up 17 dizzying laps, Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech3) imposing a staggering pace, but unable to shake off the Asian rider. A few meters from the line, Tetsuta Nagashima (JPN-Kalex) tried an impossible pass which finally left Xavi Vierge (SPA-Tech 3) clear to take victory. The TSR Teluru rider crossed the finish line second, taking his first podium slot this season and earning the “Repsol free fuel voucher” award. Third place went to the overall leader of the standings, who rode conservatively with an eye to the overall title. As might have been predicted from yesterday’s qualifying sessions, the best Superstock 600 rider was Henning Flathaug (NOR-Honda).

Once again, the first Superbike European Championship race saw Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) claim a masterful victory and with it the title. As ever, the Yamaha Laglisse rider took first position right from the off, pulling well clear to leave the field trailing. Behind came Maximilan Schreib (CHI-BMW Motorrad) holding second position right to the line, comfortably clear of the following riders, deservedly earning himself the second place on the podium, victory as the top privateer rider as well as the “Repsol free fuel voucher.” In the struggle for third place, Robertino Pietri (VEN-Yamaha) and Axel Maurin (FRA-Kawasaki) ended up crashing out of the race, leaving Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW) and Miguel Ángel Poyatos (SPA-BMW) – replacing the injured Iván Silva – to fight it out for the third slot; the Targobank Motorsport rider finally won out to take the last place on the podium.

The second Superbike European Championship race took place in dry conditions, with Maximilan Schreib (CHI-BMW Motorrad) starting strong under the watchful attention of Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) who rode calmly, confident of victory. However, this didn’t stop the race being interesting: the impressive newcomer imposed his pace from the front, with the already crowned champion keeping a close eye on him from second place. Halfway through the race, Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW) slipped past the champion to take the second position until Carmelo Morales (SPA-Yamaha) decided to put the hammer down and take over the lead, finally notching up his seventh victory this year. Maximilan Schreib (CHI-BMW Motorrad) once again took second place on the podium, best privateer rider and the “Repsol free fuel voucher” award. Adrián Bonastre (SPA-BMW), crossing the line in third place, earned his fourth podium this season.

The last FIM CEV Repsol race of the season will be in Valencia on November 14 and 15.