BAD LUCK FOR LEWIS
New Zealand’s Jake Lewis was unlucky not to finish the PATA European Junior Cup race in Imola at the weekend after being taken out by a fellow rider.
The Rangiora rider (pictured above on bike No.29) who made a great start to lead on the opening lap, was involved in a titanic battle for the first half of the race until as the tightly bunched leading group approached the final chicane just before half race distance.
Lewis was in the middle of the bunch and a light tap from Adrien Pittet was enough to send the double podium finisher to the ground.
Lucky not to be hit by the riders closely following him, Lewis is obviously disappointed but can take some consolation that three of his championship rivals also failed to finish.
“I was feeling really good and running in the front group,” said Lewis.
“I was running a comfortable pace, it was just unfortunate to be taken out by a rider who was getting a bit over excited. In terms of the championship we are still right in the mix so I just need to make sure I get a good result at Silverstone.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their help this weekend, there were still a lot of positives so I am looking forward to the next race.”
The other New Zealanders at Imola also experienced a difficult weekend.
Auckland’s Connor London finished 20th, while fellow Aucklander Blayes Heaven and Wellington’s Sam Croft joined Lewis among the non-finishers.
Meanwhile, Frenchman Guillaume Raymond became the first rider to convert a pole position into a victory this year, now taking slender championship lead.
Raymond didn’t make the best start ending lap one in sixth but by lap three, the Frenchman had edged in front and he was never headed.
In the championship only 25 points cover the top 11 riders at the half way point, offering the prospect of an equally exciting second half of the season.
Championship standings after round four:
| 1 | Guillaume Raymond | 48 pts | FRA | HONDA | EJC |
| 2 | Michael Canducci | 43 pts | ITA | HONDA | EJC |
| 3 | Jake Lewis | 41 pts | NZL | HONDA | EJC |
| 4 | Robin Anne | 38 pts | FRA | HONDA | EJC |
| 5 | Illan Fernandez | 33 pts | ESP | HONDA | EJC |
| 6 | Adrien Pittet | 29 pts | SWI | HONDA | EJC |
| 7 | Peter Sebestyen | 25 pts | ITA | HONDA | EJC |
| 8 | Bo Bendsneijer | 25 pts | HOL | HONDA | EJC |
| 9 | Zac Levy | 23 pts | AUS | HONDA | EJC |
| 10 | Richard Bodis | 20 pts | ITA | HONDA | EJC |
| 11 | Augusto Fernandez | 20 pts | ESP | HONDA | EJC |
| 12 | Albert Arenas | 20 pts | ESP | HONDA | EJC |
| 13 | Kevin Manfredi | 18 pts | ITA | HONDA | EJC |
| 14 | Ali Rusmiputro | 15 pts | IND | HONDA | EJC |
| 15 | Illya Mykhalchyk | 13 pts | UKR | HONDA | EJC |
| 16 | James Flitcroft | 12 pts | GBR | HONDA | EJC |
| 17 | Joshua Harland | 11 pts | GBR | HONDA | EJC |
| 18 | Lorenzo Garofoli | 10 pts | ITA | HONDA | EJC |
| 19 | Javier Orellana | 9 pts | ESP | HONDA | EJC |
| 20 | Andrea Zanella | 7 pts | ITA | HONDA | EJC |
| 21 | Sabrina Paiuta | 6 pts | BRA | HONDA | EJC |
| 22 | Miguel Aranda | 5 pts | ESP | HONDA | EJC |
| 23 | Charly Ebehard | 5 pts | BEL | HONDA | EJC |
| 24 | Riccardo Filippini | 4 pts | ITA | HONDA | EJC |
| 25 | Alex Wisdom | 1 pts | USA | HONDA | EJC |
2013 European Junior Cup Calendar:
Round 1: Aragon, Spain, April 14
Round 2: Assen, Holland, April 28
Round 3: Monza, Italy, May 12
Round 4: Imola, Italy, June 30
Round 5: Silverstone, UK, August 4
Round 6: Nurbergring, Germany, September 1
Round 7: Magny Cours, France, October 6
Round 8: TBC