Northern Talent Cup:
Van Crugten does the double
The Northern Talent Cup headed to the Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic for the fourth Round of the season. Another exhilarating weekend of racing action from Northern Europe’s fastest young talents.
Race 1
Jurrien Van Crugten (BB64 Academy) took his second victory of the season on Saturday in Race 1 at the Autodrom Most to propel himself to the top of the Cup standings, finishing an enthralling race ahead of back-to-his-best Tobias Kitzbichler (Racing Team Kitzbichler), and Belgian Ferre Fleerackers (Junior Black Knights).
Matteo Masili (SaMarigosa MM Racing Team) led proceedings from pole position and in fair conditions, the summer sun showering the track in its warm glow, but it was German racing machine Richard Irmscher (Racingteam Irmscher), fastest in all practice sessions, who quickly took over at the front of the race to set about building a gap to those behind.
Van Crugten had other ideas, though, and having detached himself from the chasing pack of Masili, Fleerackers, and Kitzbichler, who were scrapping for position, slowing themselves down in the process, he set his sights on Irmscher up ahead. By lap 7 the rider in orange was within striking distance of the race leader and it was precisely at this point that Irmscher tucked the front and slid into the gravel, his hopes of victory going with him. Van Crugten took the race lead and never looked like he might relinquish it during the remaining seven laps as he built a comfortable gap out front.
Behind him, a battle raged between Masili, Fleerackers, and Kitzbichler. It was a scrappy affair – at one point Kitchbichler found himself the sweet meat in a Masili and Fleeracker contact sandwich. But, undaunted, the Austrian kept pushing, finally getting free of the Belgian and Italian after an unsuccessful overtake attempt from Masili on Fleerackers left the pair at a disadvantage; hand gestures and headshakes adding some spice to the spectacle.
Van Crugten’s delight was palpable as he crossed the line. Surrounded by so much talent, the Dutchman needed those 25 points to make his dream come true. Equally content were Racing Team Kitzbichler who have struggled for speed and form since the young Austrian’s epic victory in Race 2 in Assen at the start of the season. Fleerackers raced smart to claim the third place on the podium and thoroughly deserved it. Rounding out the top 6 were Masili in fourth ahead of Antoine Nativi (Racing Nativi Team) and Thias Wenzel (Kiefer Racing) in sixth.
Race 2
Race 2 on Sunday was won in style by Cup favourite Jurrien Van Crugten (BB64 Academy), who took his third victory of the season, ahead of Tobias Kitzbichler (Racing Team Kitzbichler) and polesitter Richard Irmscher (Racingteam Irmscher). The BB64 Academy rider now sits atop the standings with a 25-point advantage, ahead of Matteo Masili (SaMarigosa MM Racing Team) and Irmscher.
Sunday in Most was another hot one, and the racing even more so! Everyone wanted a piece of the action! Kitzbichler took the holeshot from third on the grid, but the opening laps were dominated by Irmscher, and Dutchman Van Crugten, who traded places at the front. On lap 4, it was a case of ‘quel dommage’ as French superstar Antoine Nativi saw his title hopes dented as he made a costly mistake and slid into the gravel from seventh position.
A lead group of six defined proceedings, with heroes everywhere. In addition to Van Crugten, Irmscher and Kitzbichler, we had Ferre Fleerackers (Junior Black Knights), Masili & Thias Wenzel (Kiefer Racing) in the mix. Having spent the morning with mentor and Honda test rider Stefan Bradl, Thias Wenzel was feeling bullish, a sublime move up the inside into Turn 1 on lap nine saw the young German slot into second place behind Italian Masili.
As the race progressed and neared its endgame it became a shootout between Van Crugten, Kitzbichler & Irmscher with The Dutchman taking the win in a photo finish. Rounding out the top 6 were Masili in fourth, ahead of Fleerackers & Alessandro Binder (Kiefer Racing) in sixth.
