Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Super Finale:
Italy’s Emanuele Pastore Takes Overall Victory
The penultimate round of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship at the Circuito do Estoril hosted the third edition of the R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale where young riders from around the world will have their sights set on a seat in the 2025 FIM R3 bLU cRU World Cup.
The 25 entered riders were all aged between 14 and 18 years old and have been selected to compete in Portugal after impressing all season in their national R3 Cups and Challenges.
There were some familiar names on this year’s entry list such as Peru’s Aymon Bocanegra, who had a wildcard ride in the FIM R3 bLU cRU World Cup in Magny-Cours in September and impressed with a second-place finish. Spain’s Alberto Beltran and Italy’s Gianmaria Ibidi have also enjoyed wildcard entries this year in Barcelona and Misano respectively.
But it was Italy’s Emanuele Pastore who emerged as the overall winner, earning himself a fully supported place in next year’s FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup.
Race 1
A total of 25 riders lined up on the grid for the first race in the SuperFinale, all with the goal of putting themselves in contention for the overall event victory. After Friday’s rain-affected sessions, the glorious sunshine and slick tyres were a welcome sight for the competitors. The 10-lap race provided some great action, with a breakaway group of eight swopping positions corner-by-corner.
There was plenty of impressive riding to be seen among the young hopefuls, but two of the podium contenders, Kakeru Okunuki (Japan) and Ivan Spada (Italy), saw their race end in a crash on Lap 5. Meanwhile, at the front, Ocete was enjoying a fantastic battle with Thije Ligtermoed (Netherlands), fellow countryman Raul Navarrete and hard-charging Italians Ibidi and Pastore.
The fight came down to the chequered flag with the three podium sitters, Ocete, Ibidi and Pastore, separated by just +0.402.
Race 2
Race 2 top eight were covered by less than one second and there was a leading group of 16 riders for much of the 10-lap race.
Xarly Mendez (Dominican Republic) converted his pole position into a holeshot, but he was quickly surrounded by the hard-charging field. Spanish duo Ruben Montero and Ocete were in the mix from the start, and they were soon joined by Gianmaria Ibidi (Italy), Aymon Bocanegra (Peru) and Ivan Spada (Italy). The latter was up into fifth place when he had to dive into the long lap penalty loop following a Race 1 incident, the youngster showed his promise by returning to ninth at the chequered flag.
Mattia Bosello was another rider to shine on Sunday, charging through to sixth place. After taking second place in Race 1, Ibidi was in contention for the overall event victory and the Italian worked hard, repeatedly putting himself at the front of the pack. However, a last lap mistake saw him drop to fifth (+0.223). After an impressive run on Saturday, Thije Ligtermoed was flying on Sunday and the Dutchman took second in the race by just +0.065.
Bocanegra was initially on for a podium finish in Race 2, but he was docked one place due to irresponsible riding. This promoted Mendez onto the final step of the podium. Pastore showed grit and determination to place his R3 a nose in front of the field at the chequered flag, and after finishing on the podium yesterday he had enough points to be declared the overall winner. Second overall was Ocete after he took seventh in Race 2. Third overall was Ligtermoed.
