Pleven (Bulgaria), 16 July 2023 – Weather conditions were even hotter than the first day, but it seemed like young SM riders did not feel it. Andrea Benvenuti (MTR Ktm Racing) showed a phenomenal race pace and was the author of a thrilling recovery in the second moto. Second place went to Matej Kokes (Husqvarna) and Nathan Terraneo was third.
SM Junior Race 1
Andrea Benvenuti (MTR Ktm Racing) took the lead at the start of the first moto, after the first corner and despite Matej Kokes (Husqvarna) tried to overtake his rival, he did not succeed. The top three was rounded off by Nathan Terraneo (Ktm).
Benvenuti’s race pace was unsustainable for his rivals, so he was the protagonist of a solitary race. The young Italian rider followed the recommendations his team gave him from the pit lane and managed the race without exaggerating and without making mistakes. The rider came home with the first victory of the day, while Kokes crossed the finish line in second and Terraneo was third.
SM Junior Race 1 Top Ten:
BENVENUTI Andrea (ITA, KTM) 9 laps in 13:26.609; 2. KOKES Matej (CZE, Husqvarna) +07.642; 3. TERRANEO Nathan (SUI, KTM) +14.992; 4. EBELMANN Rasmus (EST, Husqvarna) +21.809; 5. STEINER Christoph (AUT, KTM) +26.616; 6. BERECZKI David Zsolt (HUN, Husqvarna) +27.265; 7. ANDREOTTI Riccardo (ITA, KTM) +40.919; 8. IOVITA Mark Luca (ROU, Husqvarna) +1:10.260; 9. IVANOVA Polina (BUL, Kawasaki) +1:19.407; 10. IVANOV Bozhidar (BUL, Kawasaki) +1:56.364
SM Junior Race 2
Thanks to a perfect start Benvenuti took the lead of the race but slipped after the third corner, so he had to start from the last position. In the meantime, Matej Kokes had taken the lead of the race followed by Terraneo. Benvenuti did not give up and was the author of a storming recovery; with record time he worked his way up and climbed the standings and reached Kokes in the last lap eventually overtaking him so that he won the race. The Ktm rider was joined on the podium by second qualified Matej Kokes while Natahan Terraneo was third.
Thanks to this result Benvenuti is the new red plate holder.
SM Junior Race 2 Top Ten:
BENVENUTI Andrea (ITA, KTM) 9 laps in 13:36.066; 2. KOKES Matej (CZE, Husqvarna) +00.889; 3. TERRANEO Nathan (SUI, KTM) +09.973; 4. STEINER Christoph (AUT, KTM) +13.214; 5. EBELMANN Rasmus (EST, Husqvarna) +13.743; 6. ANDREOTTI Riccardo (ITA, KTM) +18.202; 7. BERECZKI David Zsolt (HUN, Husqvarna) +23.813; 8. IOVITA Mark Luca (ROU, Husqvarna) +1:04.257; 9. IVANOVA Polina (BUL, Kawasaki) +1:06.714; 10. BANG Lorenz (GER, KTM) +1:08.784
SM Junior Classification Top Ten:
BENVENUTI Andrea (ITA, KTM) 9 laps in 13:36.066; 2. KOKES Matej (CZE, Husqvarna) +00.889; 3. TERRANEO Nathan (SUI, KTM) +09.973; 4. STEINER Christoph (AUT, KTM) +13.214; 5. EBELMANN Rasmus (EST, Husqvarna) +13.743; 6. ANDREOTTI Riccardo (ITA, KTM) +18.202; 7. BERECZKI David Zsolt (HUN, Husqvarna) +23.813; 8. IOVITA Mark Luca (ROU, Husqvarna) +1:04.257; 9. IVANOVA Polina (BUL, Kawasaki) +1:06.714; 10. BANG Lorenz (GER, KTM) +1:08.784
Complete results available HERE.
SMJ EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP of Bulgaria – QUICK FACTS
Circuit length: 1.740 mt (1.240 mt asphalt, 500 mt Sky-section)
Temperature: 40°
Weather conditions:Sun
In the photo: SM Junior Podium
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