In a JuniorGP season that has seen history made, records broken and intrigues galore, the 2023 season of the antechamber of MotoGP ends in Cheste, near Valencia, this weekend.
With three out of four titles decided before the final round, the 2023 Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship draws to a close this weekend at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia. The Spanish venue was a traditional stop for the final round of the year, crowning Champions and paving the way for dreams to be realized throughout illustrious careers. With two sleeves of JuniorGP™, a race of Moto2 European Championship™ and a race ofEuropean Talent Cup, without forgetting the title at stake in the ETC, we expect another interesting weekend.
Thanks to his victory in the last race, Angel Piqueras (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) arrives at the season-closing double-header in Valencia with the JuniorGP™ crown already assured.
A double winner in Valencia earlier in the year, he is 79 points ahead of Luca Lunetta (AC Racing Team), who scored a third podium and the best P2 of the season during the last race in Aragon. Unlike the gap between the first two, only six points separate Luca Lunetta byAlvaro Carpe (STV Laglisse Racing), the Spaniard being determined to take second place on the last racing day of the year.
Behind Carpe, fourth place goes to Xabi Zurutuza (MTA Junior Team), who became the 100th different class winner at Portimao. He is only eight lengths behind his compatriot who precedes him and 14 behind P2 in the general classification. The same situation applies to Joel Esteban (Aspar Junior Team), who is tied on points with Zurutuza and looking to bounce back after falling out of the race at MotorLand Aragon last time out. He took out his teammate Joel Esteban (Aspar Junior Team) at turn 13 and the Australian is in sixth place in the standings, five points behind Esteban.
French side, Gabin Planques (First Bike Academy) on a KTM and Alex Gourdon (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) on Honda will do their best to finish the season on a good note.
En Moto2™ ECh, the title is already acquired at Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Junior Team) following a double in the last edition.
He will look to end his season in style on the circuit where he has already won this year. In a season where he was able to achieve a first victory, Xavi Cardelus (Promoracing) will look to consolidate its second position in the overall Championship standings, as the final round hosts the battle for second place. Just behind him and 21 points away, Alberto Surra (Team Ciatti-Boscoscuro) will need a first victory in the category if they want to close their gap on Cardelus.
Charles Aubry (JEG Racing), our only representative, will be keen to end the season by scoring points again, for the third time.
If the JuniorGP™ and Moto2™ ECh titles are acquired, the same cannot be said for theEuropean Talent Cup ; Maximo Quiles (Aspar Junior Team) is in control with 18 points ahead of its long-time rival Brian Uriarte (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) with five victories against three for Uriarte.
They are the only two to be mathematically in contention in Valencia, with only one race remaining. A ninth place or higher will be enough for Quiles, even if Uriarte wins, while if Uriarte does not win but finishes in P2, Quiles will need a fourteenth place or higher. Uriarte must finish in the top two places to have a chance of lifting the title trophy on Sunday. At least third place is already assured by Guido Pini (AC Racing Team), with the reigning champion only 14 points behind Uriarte, meaning a runner-up spot is possible. Earlier in the year, Quiles was the rider who achieved a great double in Valencia.
French side, Benjamin Caillet (Viltaïs Racing Junior), Leandro Quintans (Team Larresport), Enzo Bellon (MB38 by Mecasport),
Elliot Kassigan (Mecaprojets Team Ado),
Guillem Planques (First Bike Academy), Matteo Roman (JEG Racing) and Matthias Rostagni (MB38 by Mecasport) and Henri Mignot (Brechon Racing School) are registered for this final.
Benjamin Caillet, Guillem Planques et Enzo Bellon form the French team.
The Sunday racing schedule for the final round of the FIM Finetwork JuniorGP™ season is as follows:
11:00 – JuniorGP™ Race 1: 17 laps
12:00 p.m. – ETC race: 16 laps
13:00 p.m. – Moto2™ ECh Race: 18 laps
14:00 – JuniorGP™ Race 2: 17 laps
