The French and the Swiss riders secure the Moto3 and Moto2 titles respectively at the Autodromo do Algarve. After two victories for Carmelo Morales, the Superbike class will have its Champion decided in the last round of the series.
The second round of the FIM CEV Repsol 2014 held out of Spain saw the titles of the Moto3 and Moto2 classes secured. At the Autodromo do Algarve, Fabio Quartararo put the icing to a spectacular year by securing his second Moto3 Championship at the FIM CEV Repsol with a crushing victory, his seventh out of the nine races held. Over at Moto2, Jesko Raffin also leaves Portugal as the new Champion after finishing fourth and sixth in the two races held today, thanks to the crash suffered by his main rival, German Florian Alt.
In the biggest displacement class, Carmelo Morales won the two races and keeps his chances to win the title together with Santi Barragan, Kenny Noyes and Ivan Silva. Nevertheless, the last two will arrive in Valencia next November 16th as the favourites to get the titles, as they lead the overall standings with a difference of only 4 points.
Moto3
After securing the title yesterday, Fabio Quartararo finished the round in style today by winning his seventh race of the nine already held. The French rider, who started from pole, achieved a crushing victory –also setting the fastest lap of the race, and did not leave any chance for the rest of the riders, as he dominated from flag to flag. In the end, Nicolo Bulega finished second and Marcos Ramirez third. Maria Herrera retired in the first lap due to a technical failure.
With the first place of the classification secured, the next round in Valencia, which will have two races, will decide the riders that will accompany Quartararo on the second and third place overall in the smallest displacement class of the FIM CEV Repsol.
Moto2
The intermediate category also has its Champion designed in Portugal, Swiss Jesko Raffin. Despite not being his best weekend at the FIM CEV Repsol, as he finished fourth and sixth in the two races held today, Raffin was lucky during the second race. In the battle for victory between the rider from Barcelona Xavi Vierge and German Florian Alt –the main rival of the Swiss rider for the Championship and winner of the first race today- the Spaniard crashed and dragged his rival with him. The crash gave the Championship to Raffin, who will jump to the intermediate class of the World Championship as the FIM CEV Repsol Champion.
With Moto2 first place already decided, in Valencia Florian Alt and Edgar Pons will fight for the runner-up position. The German is now second with a 5-point advantage over Pons.
Superbike
Although the star of the day in Superbike at the Autodromo do Algarve was Carmelo Morales, who took the two victories up for grabs, the fight for the title took place between Ivan Silva and Kenny Noyes. They both were on the podium with Morales, exchanging the second and third places in the two races held and Silva will arrive in Valencia as the leader of the Championship with Noyes second only four points behind.
Before the decisive round at the Circuito Ricardo Tormo, Santi Barragan –third, 21 points behind the leader– and Carmelo Morales, at 24 points, will also have chances to grab the title.
Fabio Quartararo >> Audio >> Audio French
Moto3 race winner and Champion
“I had a good start and was able to set a good pace immediately, which allowed me to build some advantage over the riders behind me. It was a tough race, as it was very windy. I’m very happy with this victory and also for being the FIM CEV Repsol 2014 Champion. We worked very well during the weekend and also did an excellent job the whole season. I’d like to dedicate the title to everyone that supported me this season, to the sponsors and to Honda, because they worked very hard to make it possible”.
Florian Alt >> Audio
Moto2 first race winner
“This circuit is amazing. I had a lot of fun the whole weekend and kept working to achieve a good race pace. During the race I had some trouble with the gearbox, but in the end I was able to take my first win of the season and I’m very happy, because I had finished second many times and today I won my first race. I want to thank my team; they worked very hard the whole weekend”.
Edgar Pons >> Audio
Moto2 second race winner
“I had a good start and I was strong from the beginning, but I wasn’t able to build an advantage. When I had to overtake the last riders, one of them didn’t leave space and I lost terrain from the first. I was even about to crush. I tried to catch them, but they were pushing very hard. In the end, the incident between Vierge and Alt allowed me to win and I’m very happy, but we need to keep working hard”.
Jesko Raffin >> Audio
Moto2 Champion
“I still don’t believe it; I didn’t think I could be champion because of the position I had at the end of the race and I didn’t see Alt crashing. When they told me, I could smile and celebrate the championship. I want to thank my team and my family, because I wouldn’t have achieved it without them. Now we have to focus on the race in Valencia, where I want to take another victory”.
Carmelo Morales >> Audio
Superbike first race winner
“It was quite a good weekend. We were fast in the practice and we were on pole. I’m happy, because after the injury we’re working very well. The race was difficult as the bike behaved differently on the back and I didn’t feel very confident. It was complicated to find space to overtake, but I was able to do it and build some advantage, which I could keep during the last laps”.
Carmelo Morales >> Audio
Superbike second race winner
“After winning twice in one day, one can’t ask for more. I felt better in the second race. I did some changes and I felt more comfortable, which allowed me to be more consistent. I was able to focus, enjoy and build my advantage before lowering the pace in the last lap, though in this circuit you can’t lose concentration, because you can go off track. I’m very happy with my team and hope we’ll be as strong in Valencia”.
