Jake Lewis wins the race and with it the title
Monday 21 October: In a thrilling European Junior Cup finale, Rangiora's Jake Lewis wins at Jerez.
Jake Lewis is the 2013 PATA European Junior Cup champion after a
masterful display in the final race of the season earlier today.
Starting from 14th, the Kiwi was soon in the leading bunch and by the start of lap 2 had eased his way into the lead.
With eight riders bunched together trading places at every given
opportunity, Lewis controlled the race with a maturity that far
outweighs his 18 years as he responded immediately to any challenge made
at the front.
The group behind kept up an intense level of pressure but in the run
in to the flag after a race which had a capacity Spanish crowd on their
feet it was Lewis was crowned the winner by 0.036s ahead of local hero
Augusto Fernandez who claimed second position overall in the
championship standings with today’s result.
Britain’s Josh Harland ended his season in the best possible way with a fine ride to 3rd and thus completed the podium.
Italian riders Michael Canducci and Kevin Manfredi were 5th and 6th
respectively, while Spanish wildcard Mika Perez claimed an impressive
6th across the line.
James Flitcroft (Great Britain), Javier Orellan (Spain) and Hungarians Peter Sebestyen and Richard Bodis completed the top ten.
Miguel Aranda (Spain), Ilya Mykhalchyk (Ukraine), Sabrina Paiuta
(Brazil) and Stefan Hill (Great Britain) completed the point scorers.
Jake Lewis: "I can’t believe it.
I knew I had to give it my all from the word go and that’s what I did.
I’d like to thank everyone that helped me this year, especially my dad
as I wouldn’t be here without him.”
With the announcement that the PATA European Junior Cup powered by
Honda will once again be a support class to the World Superbike program
next year, the scene is set for an equally enthralling season in 2014.
Courtesy of Michael Hill Promotions. Images - motorbikestoday