Confirming his leadership in the Championship standings
The fourth round of the 250cc European Championship was disputed in Latvia, at the track of Kegums. The circuit layout had been deeply renewed for this edition and featured very fast and technical sections, extremely challenging to interpret.
The track did not suit completely Italian machinery completely. As a matter of fact, Nicholas Lapucci struggled a bit in the qualifying session and could not find the right feeling; the rider had to feel happy with the third position. Spies’ performance was satisfying and allowed him to classify eighth, while Tuani was 16th.
Nicholas faced a tough start in Race1, still he tried to find the most suitable race pace but could not find the best way to perform on the Latvian track. Despite all the difficulties Lapucci ended up with a superb third position. On the other hand, Federico Tuani did very well. The start for him was a good one as he immediately reached the front and battled it out with the top racers, eventually classifying sixth. Max Spies crashed soon after the start and could not do better than the 19th place.
The Fantic Factory Team Maddii set up Lapucci’s bike specifically for the second race, trying to increase the competitiveness level. As the starting gate dropped, Lapucci rocketed out of it and moved to the second position. After wisely analyzing his rival, he finally attacked him and won the race. Tuani did well too by taking the sixth spot at first, but had to let it go after crashing and dropping to the 12th position. Solid moto for Spies, who finished with a fantastic seventh place.
Nicholas Lapucci classified second overall in Kegums and remains the current series leader.
Next round is scheduled in September in Turkey, where riders will also dispute the 2T European Championship.
Marco Maddii stated at the end of the race: “Today we were able to manage the situation, especially after the qualifying where Nicholas struggled to find the right feeling and trajectories. The start of Race1 wasn’t easy and the outcome couldn’t be better than the third spot. During the break we decided to work on a new setting and this actually paid back, because we brilliantly won Race2. Federico did very well and classified seventh overall. Too bad for that crash in Race2. Spies had a good race and came home with a solid result. We’ll carry on the work and training, always focused on our final goal.”
Classifica di giornata classe EMX250 Campioanto Europeo:
1) Kevin Horgmo #24 – GasGas
2) Nicholas LAPUCCI #211 - Fantic Factory Team Maddii
3) Rick Elzinga #44 Ktm
7) Federico Tuani #2 - Fantic Factory Team Maddii
11) Maximilian Spies #7 - Fantic Factory Team Maddii
Campionato classe EMX250:
1) Nicholas LAPUCCI #211 - Fantic Factory Team Maddii
2) Kevin Horgmo #24 - GasGas
3) Rick Elzinga #44 Ktm
15) Federico Tuani #2 - Fantic Factory Team Maddii
18) Maximilian Spies #7 - Fantic Factory Team Maddii