Spaniard Augusto Fernandez duly secured the 2014 Pata European Junior Cup title at Magny-Cours in France, setting the seal on eight rounds of dazzling racing on identical Honda CBR500R machines.
Fernandez, who celebrated his 17th birthday last week, needed just a single point from today‰Ûªs 10-lap race to wrap up the championship in which he had already scored four race wins and one other podium.
But, with a total of 12 riders crashing out of contention, he took his sixth podium in this afternoon‰Ûªs wet encounter at the 4.411km Magny-Cours circuit, following the day‰Ûªs two World Superbike championship races.
Fernandez stood on the Magny-Cours podium with race winner Javier Orellana, who finishes as runner-up in this year‰Ûªs series, 56 points clear of Angelo Licciardi, who was third. Second place in today‰Ûªs race went to French wildcard rider Dorian Laville.
Fernandez‰Ûªs prize for winning the title is a ride with the Racedays Honda squad in next season‰Ûªs FIM European Superstock 600 championship on a Honda CBR600RR and the young Spaniard is clearly excited at the prospect.
"Today‰Ûªs race was very crazy!" Fernandez said.
"Many people were passing me and I asked to myself what should I do? Go with them or stay in seventh place and win the championship? I was lucky, I guess, because four riders crashed in front of me and I was able to get to the podium! I am so very happy and want to say thank you to all the people who have supported me.
"I think we have done a really good season and I didn‰Ûªt crash in any of the races, so I am happy about that! I‰Ûªm also happy to be a part of this team in Superstock 600 on Honda‰Ûªs CBR600RR next year.
Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda Racing ‰ÛÒ round eight
Magny-Cours, France, 4.411km ‰ÛÒ result (10 laps):
1 Javier Orellana (ESP)
2 Dorian Laville (FRA)
3 Augusto Fernandez (ESP)
4 Jamie van Sikkelerus (NED)
5 Vasco van der Valk (NED)
6 Braeden Ortt (CAN)
7 Gaetan Gouget (FRA)
8 Hannes Soomer (EST)
9 Maurice Karsijns (NED)
10 Alex Wisdom (USA)
Final championship points:
1 A Fernandez 155,
2 Orellana 140,
3 Licciardi 84,
4 I Fernandez 83,
5 Josh Harland 72,
6 Mike Perez 66,
7 Marc Miralles 62,
8 Soomer 57,
9 Jesper Hubner 51,
10 van Sikkelerus 48.
