It was at the finish by 0.09 that Steven Odendaal managed to beat Tetsuta Nagashima to the finish line during the first race, while Alan Techer finished third. The Frenchman finished second, 0.05 behind the South African, during the magnificent second race, and Odendaal was crowned 2 Moto2016 European Champion.
In the Championship, after 7 events, the two races this weekend were all the more important as there were only two rounds remaining, in Jerez and Valencia. Steven Odendaal was far ahead with 136 points, ahead of Alan Techer (88), Tetsuta Nagashima (85), Eric Granado (79) and Iker Lecuona (50). With 48 points ahead Odendaal could be titled this Sunday if things go badly for his main opponents Techer, Nagashima and Granado. Thibaut Bertin was in seventh place with 46 points, but unfortunately withdrew due to a lower back problem. We wish him a speedy recovery. Thibaut Gourin was second in the general classification in Superstock 600 with 92 points, compared to 115 for Portuguese leader Ivo Lopes.
Pole position went to Tetsuta Nagashima (Kalex Ajo Motorsport Academy) ahead of Steven Odendaal (Kalex), Alan Techer (NTS NH-6) and Augusto Fernandez (Mistral Tech 3). Guillaume Raymond was twenty-first and Thibaut Gourin twenty-third.
First race: Odendaal strengthens his leadership in the Championship
Steven Odendaal got the best start ahead of Tetsuta Nagashima, Alan Techer, Augusto Fernandez, Iker Lecuona and Eric Granado. Thibaut Gourin was 17th at the end of the first round, and Guillaume Raymond 25th. Nagashima resisted Odendaal well, remaining in contact, while Techer third was threatened by Lecuona and Fernandez. The Frenchman did the best he could to resist, but the chassis of his NTS NH-6 did not seem best suited to the hilly route of Portimão.
On the sixth lap (out of a total of 17), Nagashima took first position from Odendaal. Techer was third at halfway, while Guillaume Raymond was in 21st position, just ahead of Thibaut Gourin (third in the Superstock 600). Odendaal briefly took the lead again with 6 laps remaining in front of Nagashima, but the Japanese regained the lead to the detriment of the South African. Odendaal negotiated the last very fast corner a little better and was ahead of his brave opponent by a breath, while Techer had a lot of merit in containing Fernandez's attacks for third place until the end of 0.1. Guillaume Raymond finished 19th and Thibaut Gourin 23rd (3rd STK).
Second race: Splendid performance from Alan Techer
The best start was to the credit of Steven Odendaal, ahead of Tetsuta Nagashima, Augusto Fernandez and Iker Lecuona while Alan Techer was only seventh at the end of the first lap. Federico Fuligni, who preceded all these beautiful people having largely anticipated the start, received a penalty. Nagashima, motivated by his good first round against Odendaal, once again attacked the South African citadel and seized first position. Alan Techer was 7th, Thibaut Gourin 18th (second Superstock) and Guillaume Raymond 20th. Then everyone gained a place when Fuligni came through the pits for his ride through.
Nagashima maintained a good pace in the lead, ahead of Odendaal, Lecuona and Fernandez by a good second. The South African pushed hard and came back on the Japanese, while Alan Techer, more comfortable with his less full tank, turned faster than the leaders and moved to 5th, 2.3 behind the leader. . Guillaume Raymond fell without gravity. Halfway through the race, Odendaal attacked Nagashima and managed to overtake him. Alan Techer continued his climb, moving to 4th at 2.0, often faster than his predecessors on the track. So much faster that he joined Odendaal and Nagashima, seeming to have made a more judicious choice of harder tires than those of his two opponents. Augusto Fernandez was in the same situation, who transformed the leading trio into a quartet.
With three laps remaining, Techer gave his all to threaten the leader Odendaal, of whom he was 0.6 behind. Nagashima found a second wind and passed Alan. Then the Frenchman overtook the Nippon, but during that time Odendaal was playing the girls of the air, with 0.7 in advance. This second race was as beautiful as the first before. Techer entered the last lap stuck to Odendaal's rear wheel, with Nagashima 0.9 behind. Alan took the lead, but coming out of the last corner Odendaal regained the advantage and won 0.05 ahead of Techer. Both had a magnificent race. Thibaut Gourin finished sixteenth, and second in the Superstock 600.
