Ajo Academy rider takes third place at Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, physician rx in addition to fourth place in Race 2.

A week after the MotoGP round at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, the FIM CEV series hit the track for its latest event. In the Moto2 European Championship, Ajo Academy rider Tetsuta Nagashima had a positive weekend, taking pole position and placing third and fourth in Sunday’s double header.

The start of the first race was not easy for Nagashima, as he did not get off the line well and later had to avoid another rider who had crashed in front of him. He crossed the line in seventh place at the end of the first lap, but knew that he had the pace to respond in the remaining 16 laps. He moved back up into third place with 6 laps remaining, and finished there for his third podium of 2016.

Nagashima made a much better start in Race 2 completing the first lap in second position. However, the increase in track temperature did not favour the Ajo Academy rider, and his pace was slower than in Race 1. The Japanese rider dropped down to fifth place, eventually passing Eric Granado to take the chequered flag fourth.

After the fourth round of the FIM CEV series, Tetsuta Nagashima lies fourth in the overall standings, cutting the gap to the leader to 46 points. The next challenge for the riders will be on July 3rd, at the Albacete Circuit.

Results – Race 1
1. Ricard Cardus (Transfiormers) 31:44.925
2. Eric Granado (Kalex) +0.472
3. Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Academy) +1.020
4. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) +12.099
5. Iker Lecuona (Kalex) +19.569

Results – Race 2
1. Remy Gardner (Kalex) 31:39.150
2. Ricard Cardus (Transfiormers) +2.500
3. Steven Odendaal (Kalex) +4.438
4. Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Academy) +10.169
5. Eric Granado (Kalex) +10.589

FIM CEV Moto2 Championship Standing 2016
1. Steven Odendaal (Kalex) 111 points
2. Alan Techer (NTS TPro) 72 points
3. Eric Granado (Kalex) 66 points
4. Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Academy) 65 points
5. Augusto Fernandez (Tech3) 48 points

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“It was a very positive weekend here at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit. We improved a lot in practice and qualifying, taking pole position. In the first race I made a big mistake in the start that made me lose a lot of positions. I found it hard to ride comfortably with a full tank, because I could not stop the bike easily. As the laps went by I was able to improve my times and planned to go for the victory in the final stretch. I was only lacking a couple of laps for an attack on first place. In the second race I did not feel the same. The track temperature had risen and with the hard tyres I only felt comfortable on the first 5 laps. From that moment on, it was very difficult to control the bike, as I was suffering from a previous crash. I decided to relax and think about the championship. At the end I saw that I could overtake Granado and did that. I want to thank the team, because they have done a great job. Alongside them I was able to improve a lot, and this is important. If we improve together, then I’m sure we will continue to obtain great results.”