Ajo Academy rider ends the season third in PreMoto3, following a third place and victory at Navarra.

The Ajo Academy and Barry Baltus reaped the rewards of their efforts this season at the Navarra Circuit, taking their first win and first podium in the 2016 season finale. Baltus got on the rostrum on Saturday, followed by victory today after Race Direction imposed a sanction on the rider who crossed the line in first place. With these good results, the young Belgian finishes third in the PreMoto3 RFME Spanish Championship standings, with 101 points.

In the first race, held on Saturday, Baltus started from second, equaling his best grid position of the season. The Ajo Academy rider led the way after the first lap, holding the position for eight laps. In the final stretch, fighting for the win with three other riders, Baltus finished third, just six tenths behind the winner.

On Sunday, the Belgian made a great start, breaking away from the chasing group in just two laps and engaging in a duel with Francesc Perez for the victory. Perez has first crossed the finish line by a small margin, but after receiving a penalty from Race Direction, Baltus was awarded his first victory of the season.

With 101 points, the Ajo Academy rider ends the year third –thanks to the 41 points scored in Navarra.

Results PreMoto3 Race 1
1. David Salvador (Mir Racing) 25:21.496
2. Alvaro Diaz (BeOn) +0.223
3. Barry Baltus (Ajo Academy) +0.567
4. Francesc Perez (BeOn) +0.627
5. Clement Rouge (Moriwaki) +6.912

Results PreMoto3 Race 2
1. Barry Baltus (Ajo Academy) 24:31.012
2. Francesc Perez (BeOn) +0.098
3. Sergio Garcia (BeOn) +7.364
4. Miguel Parra (BeOn) +7.475
5. David Salvador (Mir Racing) +7.500

PreMoto3 Championship Standing 2016
1. Sergio Garcia (BeOn) 191 points
2. Alex Toledo (Mir Racing) 109 points
3. Barry Baltus (Ajo Academy) 101 points
4. Francesc Perez (BeOn) 89 points
5. Andreas Perez (BeOn) 82 points

7 BARRY BALTUS
“This weekend we received the reward for all the work we have done during the season. From day one in Navarra I felt very comfortable and confident. I was very calm about the races; I was able to apply everything learned during the year and also had a good pace during practice. Yesterday’s race was crazy, made tricky because we did not know if the track would be dry or wet, but I felt good and took my first podium. In the second race I took advantage of the confidence I found yesterday to correct a few details; I am very happy to have finally achieved a victory. Overall, the season has been very positive, I have learned something at every race and I have been adapting to a category that is very competitive. I want to thank the team for all their efforts; we have finished the year with a complete weekend and now we have a big boost in morale for 2017.”