CEV Jerez, 18.-20.11.2011

Miroslav Popov successfully handled the extreme weather at the Jerez circuit over the weekend and qualified in p8 for the 125GP class. Unfortunately he had to withdraw immediately before the start because the equipment failed and mechanics could not manage to start his motorcycle.

The last race of the CEV Buckler Spanish Championship took place last weekend on the race track in the southern Spanish town of Jerez. The starting list of the lowest class of this prestigious series also included the Czech motorcycle rider Miroslav Popov. The ElleGi Racing team rider surprised everyone when he finished second in Catalunya but a week ago he was unclassified when he lost out because he risked everything by choosing wet tyres.

Popov has never raced in Jerez before so he needed some time to adapt to the locality. It was raining over the racing weekend and this did not help the Czech rider at all. But each time he went out onto the track Popov got faster and with a time of 2´03.937 seconds in Saturday’s first qualifying he got to eight position for the start. He made his fastest lap of 2´03.730 seconds in Sunday’s warm up session which gave him good chances for the race.

The Czech rider successfully prepared for the new environment of the southern Spanish circuit and although he did not know the Jerez track, he performed well among the fierce competition by starting from the third row. Unfortunately a technical failure immediately before the start of the 125GP class foiled his chances to compete with the riders of the Spanish championship. When the riders were starting their motorcycles to enter the warm up lap his Aprilia motorcycle failed. Despite repeated efforts mechanics could not start the machine and Miroslav Popov had to withdraw from the race. A control unit failure was found during the pit inspection.

The final race of the Spanish Championship finished Miroslav Popov’s season, in which his best results were second in the CEV Spanish Championship race, victory in the CIV Italian Motorcycle Championship in Misano and thirteen in the World Championship also at the Misano circuit. The sixteen-year old Popov performed well in the riders’ competition of various motorcycle championships and his successful start in the prestigious Grand Prix series is unquestioned.

CEV - Jerez de la Frontera (7/7): 1.  Miguel Oliveira (Monlau Engineering), 2. Niccolo Antonelli (Italia Gabrielli), 3. Andrea Migno (Agoracing-Curva Cero), 4. Kenta Fujii (CIP-TSR), 5. John McPhee (KRP/ R.Steps Found.)

CEV – Overall Standings: 1.  Alex Rins (Team Catalunya Caixa Repsol) 102b., 2. Alex Marquez (Team Catalunya Caixa Repsol) 90b., 3. Francesco Bagnaia (Team Catalunya Caixa Repsol) 74b., 4. Niccolo Antonelli (Team Italia Gabrielli) 65b., 5. Eric Granado (Mir Racing) 59b. … 17. Miroslav Popov (ElleGi Racing) 20b.