The highest of highs and the lowest of lows, New Zealand’s Jake Lewis has experienced both in the space of two weeks.

The leader of the PATA European Junior Cup after the opening round in Aragon, Spain, Rangiora’s Lewis saw his challenge for glory come to an abrupt end on the opening lap of the weekend’s second round in Assen after a lap one tumble saw him unable to add to his Aragon points tally.

The crash comes as a bitter disappointment for the likeable Kiwi who returns to the EJC after a season in Superstock 600cc.

Despite his non finish, Lewis remains second overall in the championship standings.

Meanwhile, it was local wildcard rider ‘bad’ Bo Bendsneijder who took a popular victory at Assen.

As in Aragon, the leading positions changed too quickly to keep track of, with Bendsneijder, who had started from Pole, fending off a number of attacks from Guillaume Raymond, Adrien Pittet, Michael Canducci and Kevin Manfredi who all took turns to lead on the final lap.

In the run to the flag it was Augusto Fernandez who proved the biggest challenger as both he and Bendsneijder appeared to cross the line side by side. The photo finish gave the victory to Bendsneijder, with Fernandez an impressive second. Italian Canducci claimed his second podium placing in as many races with third while Peter Sebastyen, from Hungary, rode well to take 4th at the flag from Manfredi and pole sitter Raymond, from France.

Pittet was 7th, Robin Anne 8th, Javier Orellana 9th and Illan Fernandez, who set the fastest lap of the race, finishing in tenth position. Ilya Mykhalchyk was 11th less than two seconds from the victory while Riccardo Filippini was a lonely 12th. Josh Harland was the top British finisher in 14th ahead of compatriot James Flitcroft. Spain’s Miguel Aranda completed the points scorers.

While round one winner Lewis was an early faller, so too as was Jesper Hubner, but both were unhurt and ready to battle again in Monza.

Sabrina Paiuta and Ali Adriansyah Rusmiputro suffered technical issues while Andrea Zanella retired with a handful of laps remaining.

With the new CBR500cc machines supplied by Honda making this class one of the most wide open championships within the World Superbike paddock in 2013, the high speed circuit of Monza for round three in a fortnight will be a race not to be missed.

Assen race result:

1. Bo Bendsneijder

2. Augusto Fernandez

3. Michael Canducci

Championship standings after two rounds:

1. Michael Canducci – 32 points

2. Jake Lewis – 25 points

3. Bo Bendsneijder – 25 points

4. Guillaume Raymond – 23 points

5. Peter Sebastyen – 21 points

6. Augusto Fernandez – 20 points

Photo courtesy of Vaclav Duska Jnr.