Since the MotoE World Cup began, the track action and racing has been an incredible show…
So what better round to head to next than the first double header of the season? Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli puts fifty points on the table for the all-electric Cup, giving fans two doses of spectacle and the riders some serious ground to be gained and lost.
A third of the season’s points are on offer over just two days, so everything could change again before the season finale in Valencia.
Mike Di Meglio is the man who leads the way before Misano, with 41 points to Bradley Smith’s 36. But that five-point margin is only a tenth of what they’re fighting for this weekend and Smith is definitely set on taking that lead by the time the field leave the venue.
Xavier Simeon (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) isn’t far off Smith either, however, with the Belgian on 29 points, and he’s been gaining form as he’s gained experience. Early leader Niki Tuuli (Ajo MotoE), meanwhile, is on 26 points after his mistake in Austria – losing big ground in one fell swoop is easy when the races are so pivotal. The top four seem likely to fight it out at Misano once again, but it’s far from set in stone.
The quartet at the top are also, so far, the only men who’ve been on the podium. But their closest challenger, Alex De Angelis (Octo Pramac MotoE), is on home turf at the San Marino GP – the only Sammarinese rider in the field.
Can he take a rostrum finish? And what of Italian Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE)? De Angelis has 23 points and Ferrari 22, so both are within striking distance in terms of the standings and both race at their only home round of the MotoE season.
Sete Gibernau (Join Contract Pons 40) heads the next fight up after some serious progress since the lights went out, and he’s ahead of earlier pacesetter Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) after the younger Spaniard crashed in Austria.
Niccolo Canepa (LCR E-Team) lurks just behind them, and then there’s Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing). The Brazilian was the fastest man out the blocks in MotoE, and the time hasn’t quite yet run out yet for an assault back towards the top of the standings…
Fifty points can swing a title fight in an instant, and every rider on the MotoE grid knows that. 14 laps over two races could change everything, so tune in for Round 3 Race 1 at 16:15 (GMT +2) on Saturday 16th September before Race 2 at 10:05 on Sunday.
Cup standings
1 – Mike di Meglio (FRA) 41
2 – Bradley Smith (GBR) 36
3 – Xavier Simeon (BEL) 29
4 – Niki Tuuli (FIN) 26
5 – Alex De Angelis (RSM) 23