The brightest star of the JuniorGP stage in Portimao is undoubtedly Guido Pini. Making his debut after an injury with an inevitable long recovery, the Tuscan ace is very close to victory in his first Moto3 race, only beaten in the photo finish by Alvaro Carpe. In Race 2, however, he doesn’t fight and the first category triumph arrives! Happy notes from our standard bearers also in two other categories: Giulio Pugliese comes close to winning in the single ETC race, Alberto Surra takes two podiums in Moto2. Below are the news and rankings of the event on the Portuguese roller coaster.
FIM JuniorGP, the qualifying report in Portimao
Junior GP
Snap Race 1: poleman Pini starts well, but at the first corner Emmanuel and O’Gorman have the upper hand, while shortly afterwards there is an accident between O’Shea, Salmela and Rios. On the scoresheet, a crash for Boggio, while the large and combative group typical of Moto3 is created in front. With about ten laps to go, however, three of them broke the deadlock: Pini, Carpe and O’Gorman took off, thus securing the podium area. In the end, however, it will turn out to be a head-to-head between the Tuscan and the Spaniard, with a final insult for our rookie who has been in command for a long time: in the photo finish, in fact, by 39 thousandths the second wins!
Off to Race 2: Carpe overtakes Pini again at the first corner, undoubtedly determined to replicate the success of the first race. In a short time, six of them escape, thus reserving the intense battle for success and the remaining steps of the podium. The crashes of Morosi and Boggio are on the scoresheet, while about ten laps from the end Guido Pini, who had been in management up to that point, broke through and took the lead. From that moment on he will never give up first place: the mockery of Race 1 forgotten, this time the triumph is his!
Moto2
It starts Race 1 with Surra immediately attacking poleman Garcia, who however promptly returns to the front, then responding blow for blow to the Italian’s attempts. The duo steadily begins to fly away, only to later reignite the battle for victory. With three laps to go, however, the issue is resolved: Roberto Garcia firmly takes the lead and leaves Alberto Surra further and further away. The victory of the standard bearer Fantic Cardoso also means the lead of the general classification, with Casadei 6th now at -4. Heated duel for the third step of the podium, in the end Alberto Ferrandez prevails against Dani Munoz.
Race 2 starts with Surra in the lead over Roberto Garcia and all the others. But it doesn’t last: standard bearer Fantic Cardoso soon returns to the front and immediately begins to fly away! There is no one who can keep up with the Spaniard, the double arrives calmly and together with the overall lead. Casadei’s terrible start doesn’t help… Alberto Surra is second and brings home a new podium, third place for Unai Orradre.
Junior GP ETC
The poleman Gonzalez and Cano are immediately in command, followed by Tinez, Bellon, Pugliese and all the others. On the scoresheet an accident between Gabarrini and Frellsen (the Italian’s gesture of apology was eloquent), an angry Zanni was forced to retire (he was fighting for the podium), stopped by a technical problem. Up front it turns out to be a close battle between seven riders, until Carlos Cano takes the win! A fierce Giulio Pugliese came very close, but he was ultimately second at the photo finish by just 42 thousandths.
Stock
Departure postponed due to a technical problem on the reconnaissance lap, finally the last race of the stage starts in Portimao. Let’s remember, Stock class this time without the leader Lorenzo Dalla Porta, involved in the concurrent CIV Supersport at Mugello. Here too we witness a close battle, until the group breaks up. It’s a breathless fight between Mario Mayor and Archie McDonald, finally the right move is that of the poleman. After the first pole position, here is his first victory in the championship!
Photo: FIM JuniorGP
