FERNANDEZ TAKES ANOTHER EUROPEAN JUNIOR CUP STUNNER IN PORTUGAL
Round six of the 2014 ‘Pata European Junior Cup powered by Honda Racing’ served up another treat at the Autodromo Internacional Algarve in Portugal, with Augusto Fernandez taking his fourth win of the season in another photo-finish.
The Spanish rider crossed the line just four thousandths of a second ahead of Angelo Licciardi from Belgium with Fernandez’s title rival Javier Orellana taking third place, a further 0.026s behind.
To add to the thrilling finish in Portugal, in typical European Junior Cup style, the first eight riders across the line at the end of the race were covered by 0.5s – all on identical Honda CBR500R machines.
It was Orellana who started the 10-lap race at the 4.592km circuit near Portimao from pole position but none of the leading group of nine riders was able to make a break for victory.
No fewer than six riders took their turn to lead at various points of the race but it was Fernandez who took the chequered flag to extend his lead at the top of the EJC points table to 27 points over compatriot Orellana with two rounds to go.
“It was a fantastic race, but really hard!” said Fernandez after the race. “I think we had about 10 riders fighting for first position. But I am very happy to take my fourth win this season, and my second consecutive. Now we have a little bit more of a lead in the championship and the next race is in Jerez, my home track, so let’s see what happens.”
Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda Racing – round six
AIA Portimao, Portugal – result (10 laps):
Augusto Fernandez (ESP) 20m49.381sAngelo Licciardi (BEL) +0.004sJavier Orellana (ESP) +0.026sIllan Fernandez (ESP) +0.054sJesper Hubner (SWE) +0.065sMike Perez (ESP) +0.182sJosh Harland (GBR) +0.465sHannes Soomer (EST) +0.525sStefan Hill (GBR) +1.143sAlex Wisdom (USA) +19.528s
Championship points after six of eight rounds:
1 A Fernandez 129, 2 Orellana 102, 3 Licciardi 64, 4 I Fernandez 63, 5 Marc Miralles (ESP) 62, 6 Hubner 51, 7 Perez 50, 8 Harland 47, 9 Soomer 42, 10 Paolo Grassia (ITA) 35.
