Cerghid (Romania) 8 September – The Romanian race of the SM Junior offered a turn of events in the morning warm-up. Undisputed standings leader Andrea Benvenuti (KTM Mtr Racing) was the victim of a crash which caused him a suspected fracture so he could not take part in the two races. Nathan Terraneo (KTM) and Yevsevii Kolavov (Husqvarna) shared the victories of the two motos. The Ukrainian was crowned race winner and new red plate holder of the Championship.
SM Junior Race 1
Pole man Andrea Benvenuti (KTM Mtr Racing) did not take part in Sunday’s races because of the crash suffered in the warm-up which caused him a suspected wrist fracture. Third qualified in the overall standings, Nathan Terraneo (KTM), took advantage of the situation and was the author of a solid race. The Swiss rider pulled away at the start and took the lead in the first corner. Terraneo had the right race pace and opened a solid gap over second qualified, Ukrainian Yesvevii Kovalov (Husqvarna), who tried to keep the rhythm of the race leader but without succeeding. Nathan Terraneo won the first moto of the season and reduced the gap in the standings. Third place went to the Romanian rider, applauded by the crowd, Mark Luca Iovita (Husqvarna).
SM Junior Race 1 Top Ten:
TERRANEO Nathan (SUI, KTM) 10 laps in 15:07.430; 2. KOVALOV Yevsevii (UKR, Husqvarna) +02.124; 3. IOVITA Mark Luca (ROU, Husqvarna) +32.267; 4. GRIŠMANAUSKAS Benas (LTU, GasGas) +1 Lap; 5. IRZYK Liliana (POL, KTM) +1 Lap; 6. BENVENUTI Andrea (ITA, KTM) 0 laps in 00.000;
SM Junior Race 2
In Race2 there was a thrilling battle among the SM Junior riders. Nathan Terraneo took the lead of the race in the first corner, chased by Yesvevii Kovalov but the race leader could not repeat the same rhythm of Race1 and leave behind his main rival. For several laps Kovalov monitored Terraneo and eventually overtook him in the start main straight. The Ukrainian rider took a little advantage and was able to win the race. Third place went once again to home rider Mark Luca Iovita.
Thanks to both results Kovalov won the GP and moved to the head of the SM Junior standings with a 2-point advantage over Terraneo and Benvenuti. The latter did not take part in the race and is currently third qualified with 3 points to recover and one more race to face.
SM Junior Race 2 Top Ten:
KOVALOV Yevsevii (UKR, Husqvarna) 10 laps in 14:58.146; 2. TERRANEO Nathan (SUI, KTM) +04.229; 3. IOVITA Mark Luca (ROU, Husqvarna) +46.596; 4. SZABO Mark (ROU, Husqvarna) +1:00.548; 5. BOR Poyraz (TUR, ) +1:02.539; 6. BERKAY Sariay (TUR, ) +1:02.650; 7. BAS Hasan Huseyin (TUR, ) +1 Lap; 8. ENES Cagan Cakir (TUR, ) +1 Lap; 9. GRIŠMANAUSKAS Benas (LTU, GasGas) +1 Lap; 10. IRZYK Liliana (POL, KTM) +1 Lap
SM Junior Classification Top Ten:
KOVALOV Yevsevii (UKR, Husqvarna) Pts. 47,000 (22+25); 2. TERRANEO Nathan (SUI, KTM) Pts. 47,000 (25+22); 3. IOVITA Mark Luca (ROU, Husqvarna) Pts. 40,000 (20+20); 4. GRIŠMANAUSKAS Benas (LTU, GasGas) Pts. 36,000 (18+18); 5. IRZYK Liliana (POL, KTM) Pts. 32,000 (16+16); 6. SZABO Mark (ROU, Husqvarna) Pts. 25,000 (-1+25); 7. BOR Poyraz (TUR, ) Pts. 22,000 (-1+22); 8. BERKAY Sariay (TUR, ) Pts. 20,000 (-1+20); 9. BAS Hasan Huseyin (TUR, ) Pts. 18,000 (-1+18); 10. ENES Cagan Cakir (TUR, ) Pts. 16,000 (-1+16)
Complete results available HERE.
SM JUNIOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP of Romania – QUICK FACTS
Circuit length: 1.620 Mt. (Off Road 375 Mt. – Tarmac 1.245 Mt.)
Temperature:26°
Weather conditions:Sun
In the photo: Podium Junior
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