Ajo Academy rider finishes 7th in the only European Talent Cup race at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit. Adrian Fernandez does not finish the race at the end of a difficult weekend. In Moto3 category, the second race was interrupted by a serious accident suffered by Andreas Perez, who was evacuated by helicopter to hospital.

The Ajo Academy riders obtained very different results on Round 4 of the FIM CEV, held in Barcelona. After a red flag on Lap 3, Lorenzo Fellon crossed the finish line in seventh position. Adrian Fernandez, who suffered a big crash on Thursday, was not able to complete the race. The news of the serious condition of Moto3 rider Andreas Perez broke after the races had ended. The entire Ajo Motorsport family offer their support to the family during this difficult time.

On the first start, Lorenzo Fellon, who took off from 12th, lost several positions during the opening lap. After the red flag, the race changed for the young French rider, who, despite starting from 14th, placed himself in the chasing pack fighting for sixth place. Fellon fought lap after lap to improve his position, and a pass on the final corner gave him seventh.

Adrian Fernandez showed his courage and commitment this weekend. On Thursday he suffered a heavy crash in free practice that prevented him from riding on Friday. After receiving medical clearance on Saturday morning, he went back out on track to participate in the qualifying sessions. In the race, Fernandez made a spectacular first start, moving up 15 positions after the first lap. Coming off a good second start, he began to tire and 3 laps from the end decided to retire from the race.

Fernandez is now 7th in the overall standings with 35 points, while Fellon is 24th with a total of 9 points. Two races will be held at the next round of the European Talent Cup, at MotorLand Aragon on July 29th.

Results (Race)
1. Matteo Patacca (Honda) 13:24.589
2. Xavier Artigas (Honda) +0.088
3. Jose Antonio Rueda (Honda) +0.109
4. Julian Giral (Honda) +1.037
5. Miguel Parra (Honda) +1.070
7. Lorenzo Fellon (Ajo Academy) +2.394
DNF – Adrian Fernandez (Ajo Academy)

European Talent Cup Standing 2018
1. Mateo Patacca (Honda) 82 points
2. Julian Giral (Honda) 58 points
3. Francisco Gómez (Honda) 56 points
4. Barry Baltus (Honda) 54 points
5. Xavier Artigas (Honda) 51 points
7. Adrian Fernandez (Ajo Academy) 35 points
24. Lorenzo Fellon (Ajo Academy) 9 points

AKI AJO – Team Manager
“It’s been a weekend of ups and downs. Adrian [Fernandez] had a big crash on Thursday, but he is a strong person and came back on Saturday for qualifying. Saturday was difficult for him, but in the race he showed great progress. Unfortunately he was not able to finish the race because he was feeling weak, but he tried and I am very proud of him for that. For Lorenzo [Fellon] it was a great weekend after a difficult start to his season. He was very consistent here in Barcelona. Seventh place is very good and we are on the right path to take a step forward in the coming races.”

5 – LORENZO FELLON
“After the first start I lost some positions on the first corner, but little by little I gained confidence and I was able to overtake some riders. After the red flag I was able to make a much better second start and I was a bit more aggressive than before, getting to fight for fourth place. Finally I finished seventh, but I enjoyed myself a lot. It was a great race and I am happy to have scored my first points of the season.”

31 – ADRIAN FERNANDEZ
“On Thursday I had a strange crash when I hit a puddle. I couldn’t ride on Friday, but after being cleared on Saturday I came to the circuit for qualifying. In the first race I made a great start and I was able to overtake several riders before the red flag came out. In the second race I was catching up with the riders in front when, three laps from the end, I started to feel bad and decided to retire. It hasn’t been our best weekend but text time I will return stronger.”