Ajo Academy rider crashes in Race 1 and is unable to take the start for Race 2 of first Moto2 European Championship round.

Tetsuta Nagashima experienced a bittersweet week in Valencia, at the opening round of the Moto2 European Championship season. Despite getting third place in qualifying on Saturday, his racing action lasted just a single lap on Sunday. A crash in Race 1 left the Japanese rider with an injury to his left forearm, and he failed to recover in time for the second contest in the FIM CEV.

During qualifying, Nagashima got the most out of his Kalex, claiming a place on the front row of the grid. His times were close to that of pole position, in both QP1 (1:36.763) and QP2 (1:36.860). Throughout the weekend the weather conditions were good, despite some strong gusts of wind.

Come raceday, the Ajo Academy rider experienced disappointment, crashing at Turn 5 in an incident involving another rider. He suffered a heavy blow to his left forearm, which would prevent him from taking the start of Race 2.

The Moto2 European Championship returns to action on May 29th at Motorland Aragon, where Nagashima will have the opportunity to get back onboard his Kalex.

Results – Race 1
1. Eric Granado (Kalex) 30:46.426
2. Steven Odendaal (Kalex) +7.898
3. Alan Techer (NTS Tpro) +13.223
4. Federico Fuligni (Kalex) +31.669
5. Samuele Cavalieri (Kalex) +36.106
–. Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Academy) DNF

Results – Race 2
1. Steven Odendaal (Kalex) 31:05.613
2. Alan Techer (NTS Tpro) +3.751
3. Federico Fuligni (Kalex) +9.297
4. Xavi Cardelus (Kalex) +24.646
5. Thibaut Bertin (Suter) +26.349
–. Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Academy)

FIM CEV Moto2 Championship Standing 2016
1. Steven Odendaal (Kalex) – 45 points
2. Alan Techer (NTS Tpro) – 36 points
3. Federico Fuligni (Kalex) – 29 points
4. Eric Granado (Kalex) – 25 points
5. Xavi Cardelus (Kalex) – 20 points
–.Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Academy) – 0 points

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“The work we did during the weekend has been magnificent. I’ve been feeling better and better with the bike. I am unhappy about the crash, because we had prepared a strategy to be on the podium and we weren’t able to carry it out. Fortunately, the accident had no serious consequences and in seven days I can start my recovery. I’m pleased because the feeling with the bike was very good and I had even got up into second before crashing. I want to thank the team for their efforts; I hope to be able to give my all at the next race in Aragon.”