Cormac Buchanan has rewarded our hard-working AGR team with its first podium of the 2024 season.

In a frantic race, the talented New Zealander battled right to the line to earn an epic third place in the FIM JuniorGP world championship – his first podium in the category.

“This is the moment I have been chasing. It is ultimately payback for all of the hard work and sacrifices my team and my family have made to bring me to this point. Little me would be so proud to see this dream realised, standing on this podium in Europe against the best talents in the world,” Buchanan said.

“It makes me so hungry for more and we will keep striving for that top step. It is important to continue this positive trajectory and achieve what we know is possible. I have the crew beside me to do it.

“For now we will enjoy this moment and then it is time to reset and refocus for Estoril in two weeks.”

Kgopotso ‘KJ’ Mononyane, of South Africa, launched strongly into the action of the first JuniorGP race and made excellent progress before crashing out from P14.

“I felt really confident overtaking and the good set up with the bike made me feel like I could push and try to reach the front group. Despite the crash I am pretty happy with race one,” Mononyane said.

“In race two, I stalled on the sighting lap and had to start on the back of the grid in P32. I was very aggressive on the first lap to try and get my positions back. Unfortunately, the front group had broken away so I pushed until P15 and consolidated my position. On the last lap, I touched the green and received a 3 second penalty which left me in P19.

“I am satisfied with how I progressed throughout the weekend and I feel like I can stick with the front group, I just have to strategise my races better.

“Thank you to the team and everyone who has helped me achieve these results early on in the season.”

In the ETC ranks, it was a day of contrast for our two pilots. Kristian Daniel Junior unfortunately was taken out in the hectic early stages of both races, while Afonso Almeida earned credible finishes on debut.

“It was a very frustrating day. I was making up some positions at the start of the race and got taken out by another rider. For it to happen again in the second race was just unbelievable. This is the hardest part of racing but we will reset and make the comeback strong,” Daniel Jnr said.

Almeida leaves Misano smiling his trademark cheeky grin.

“It was a very positive weekend. The team and I worked hard to reach our goals – the first to pass to Q2 and I did it. In the first race, I was battling the group but I failed one corner and I was back to P23. In the second race, I was again in the group and I battled hard and finished P20,” he said.

“Thanks to the team and my family and sponsors. Next, we enjoy my home track.”

While Geoffrey Emmanuel, of India, was ruled out of the race, he enjoyed watching the exploits of his teammates.

“I was disappointed not to be out there myself but I am proud of all of my AGR friends. I am looking forward to Estoril,” he said.

Italy’s iconic Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli launches another chapter in the history of the AGR team as the 2024 Finetwork FIM JuniorGP season officially revved into action.

Today’s qualifying sessions resulted in promising progress for all AGR riders across both the Moto3 and European Talent Cup divisions. Unfortunately, our Moto2 rider Max Toth was unable to take part as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder sustained on Thursday.

Team owner Anscari Nadal was satisfied with the day’s proceedings, a highlight being Cormac Buchanan’s impressive P4 qualifying for tomorrow’s two Moto3 races. The New Zealand rider was on track to challenge for pole before a red flag forced an end to the session prematurely.

Buchanan: “It was a little bittersweet you could say. We went out on old tyres in the first run just to warm everything up, check the track after the rain and get prepared for a time attack. All weekend we have been riding alone so my goal was just to go out with clear track in front of me which we were able to do. I was able to put in a good lap – it didn’t feel great to me but apparently it was good enough for P4.

“The next lap we were arriving onto pole position but unfortunately we caught a red flag. So, definitely a little bittersweet in that sense but we’ve gained a lot of confidence and can be happy with the work we’ve been doing on ourselves, our processes and our own path. For the race tomorrow, we will reset and focus on staying calm and consistent.”  

South African Kgopotso ‘KJ’ Mononyane and Geoffrey Emmanuel, of India, earned P8 and P19 respectively in JuniorGP Q1.

Mononyane: “We worked a lot and we are going in the right direction. Our result really doesn’t reflect the way I feel but I know I can achieve good progression throughout the season, starting positively from this first race.”

Emmanuel: “I had a better feeling with the bike than yesterday …I could turn faster and carry more speed. I learned a lot of different things from the other moto3 veterans. I am improving step by step and it is the right direction so I am looking forward to more.”

For AGR’s European Talent Cup pilots, Misano presented a new adventure and both impressed.

Experienced campaigner Kristian Danial Jnr, of the United States, progressed straight to Q2 where he achieved a solid P5 finish in challenging conditions.

Kristian Daniel Jnr: “We went straight to Q2, despite a small crash, so even though I feel I could have got a better pace, it was still good. I was actually a bit nervous going into the next session as it looked like it was going to be a rainy session so it was very mixed conditions. It ended up being super dry which caught a lot of people off guard. I just pushed my maximum and gave it my all. The team worked super hard and we made a big step so I felt more comfortable to be at the faster pace so let’s see what we can do tomorrow.”

In his ETC debut, Portugal’s Afonso Almeida fought hard for P3 in Q1 to earn his place in Q2, finishing P12 in his group.

Almeida: “It was my first time in this category and I’m very happy. After the practice I was a little bit nervous because my goal was to pass straight to Q2 and qualify for the race but we had to go through Q1. I’m grateful to the team because we did a very good job and let’s see what we can achieve tomorrow.”

Tomorrow all our riders and crew will give their best to achieve strong results for AGR.

AGR Team is pleased to announce the return of Kristian Daniel Jr to the team in order to achieve great success together. The young Californian talent, who was previously an integral part of the AGR Team for the 2021 season, returns with a new perspective and valuable experience gained over the past three years.

Kristian, will continue his development in  the European Talent Cup category with which he already has three years of experience. He made his debut in the Championship at the tender age of 12, making him one of the youngest drivers in his category. His return home is an exciting opportunity to continue his growth as a professional driver. As a team, we are committed to ensuring the success of this exciting joint venture.

With a dedicated team and a determined rider, AGR Team anticipates an exciting season full of achievements in the European Talent Cup. Let's go for it!

Anscari Nadal: "I am pleased with the return of Kristian Daniel Jr to the AGR Team. We will continue where we left off and work together to achieve our goals with success. Kristian is a more mature rider with 3 years of experience. He started the European Talent Cup when he was only 12 years old, the youngest in the category, which was quite an achievement back then! We thank all the sponsors who make this new adventure possible. Although the budget presents challenges, AGR is committed to overcome them and move forward with determination."

Kristian Daniel Jr: "I'm very happy to announce that I will be competing in the 2024 season in the ETC category with the AGR team, where I was already in 2021 and had my first contact with the category. I am sure it will be a very funny season, as I know most of the mechanics and data guys, I am more mature and older now and I know I can bring a lot more to the table. It's a very special season for me”. 

AGR Team is delighted to announce the arrival of Kgopotso Mononyane II, better known as KJ. The 16 years old rider will be competing in the Junior GP category.

Kgopotso is a talented rider from Johannesburg, South Africa, who will make the leap to the Junior GP category this season as part of the FIM Junior GP, an effort and learning experience that will be complemented by his first participation in the prestigious Red Bull Rookies Cup.

KJ has impressed on the circuits since he began his sporting career in 2017. His dedication and skills have led him to win national championships, such as the SUB500 National MRSSA series in 2023, and to compete in Italy (CIV), where he got experience in the PreMoto3 and Moto3 categories.

With this participation in both Championships, KJ will continue his sporting progression that has only one target, the target to bring a South African to MotoGP. AGR Team is delighted to welcome KJ and looks forward to an exciting and successful season together. Welcome, KJ!"

AGR Team is proud to announce the addition of promising Indian rider, Geoffrey Emmanuel, who will compete in the JuniorGP category during the upcoming season. His outstanding track record and dedication in previous seasons will bring great value to our team., consolidating his position as a professional rider. 

Geoffrey's passion for motorcycling began at the early age of 7, marking the start of his professional career. With four consecutive years at Honda Racing India since the age of 13, Emmanuel has demonstrated exceptional skills and unwavering determination. In 2022, he participated in the Hawkers European Talent Cup, becoming the first Indian rider to compete on stage at the age of 17 and in 2023, he made the step up to the JuniorGP category.

We are excited to see his progress and contribute to the development of his talent and this sporting union promises an exciting season!

Anscari Nadal: "Being able to have an Indian rider is a challenge, the target is to develop the rider and continue his progression in the FIM Junior GP and finally reach the promotion of a Wild Card in the World Championship. It is a mutual challenge for rider and team, but in AGR we like challenges and we will put a lot of impetus in finding out all the hidden talent of riders of different nationalities and will help them reach the World Championship".

Geoffrey Emmanuel: "I'm very excited to be part of the AGR Team and to be able to train with 111 Management to improve my career as a professional rider. I can't wait to live new experiences with my new team!"

AGR Team is excited to welcome the talented Portuguese rider Afonso Almeida for the 2024 FIM Junior GP season, competing in the European Talent Cup class. Almeida, a young rider coming from the Spanish Pre-Moto3 Championship, will make his official appearance in the European Talent Cup category, after having already been part of the team during the last FIM Junior GP. 

From the team, we are pleased to welcome him and be part of this exciting chapter in his career. We look forward to seeing him demonstrate his skills on the track with the AGR Team. 

Anscari Nadal: "I am very happy to be able to count on Afonso next year. The test race he did in Valencia was not only a demonstration of his ability on the track, but also an encounter that left its mark on him. At AGR, Afonso has found more than a team; he feels at home. The connection he has established with our staff is palpable, everything flows and that is a good sign. We are aware that the road ahead is long and challenging, but at AGR, Afonso will have the best travelling companions on his way to the world championship."

Afonso Almeida: "I am very excited and pleased to be joining the AGR Team. I hope it will be a very positive year of learning a lot and enjoying riding on the track. My first target is to gain experience and confidence with the bike, as well as to adapt to the team. Every time I go out on the track, I go out to win. I 'm very grateful for this great opportunity and I will give my best to achieve great goals together. We are ready for an exciting 2024 together!"

Two races in JuniorGP, one in Moto2 and one in the ETC closed the 2023 season for the AGR Team and its riders. The results in these last events were not what we expected, but riders and each member of the AGR Team gave everything until the last minute. 

2023 has been a season that, as every year, has given good and not so good moments. From the team we want to thank all the riders who have passed through our garage this year. We are already working to return stronger in 2024… We never give up

JUNIOR GP

Cormac Buchanan Race1 DNF / Race2 P20 Championship  14 Points  50

“Today I was one of the strongest on the track. In both races we did a nice start, but unfortunately another rider made a silly move and damaged my bike, which made me no possible to finish the race. In the second race it was more or less the same thing. Again another rider tried to make a silly move that cost me a lot of position. The next lap the same rider touched me and I crashed.I was able to remount and I think I finished P20. It not the end of the season I wanted nor the end of the season we deserved as we were one of the strongest. In the second race I really made a good start and was fighting in the front but things didn’t work in our way. I’m sure that in 2024 we can come back stronger. We got new goals for the next season and I’m sure we will achieve them.”

Torin Collins  Race1 P19 / Race2 P19 Championship  P29 Points  1

“This weekend has been a little bit emotional for me as it will be my last race in JuniorGP with this team and in Spain, so I was a little bit sad. Overall it went pretty good. The result was not amazing but I think it was a good way to finish the season. Looking forward to the future and I’m happy for what the team has done for me in the last two years.”

MOTO2

Mattia Rato P10 Championship  P4 Points  113

“It has been a complicated race. I didn’t start well and I really struggled in the first lap. Another rider tried to overtake me in an , let’s say, not appropriate moment, which disturbed me a lot. Later I managed to overtake him and another rider, and I started to ride alone. It was then when I found my pace. The shame is that the riders I had in front were too far away. And that was it.”

Sam Wilford P12 Championship  P13 Points  50

“Difficult end of the weekend, still suffering from an injury form eight weeks ago. I will take the winter to recover and come back next season fully fit to be fighting again where I think I can be. Thank you to the team for the work made and I hope to see everyone next year.” 

European Talent Cup ETC

Owen van Trigt  P20 Championship  P33 Points  1

“The day was OK. I didn’t do one of the best starts. The pace was OK, but too far from the front. The balance of the season is under the expectations I had, but the positive is that I have grown and learned as a rider this season.”

The FIM Junior GP traveled this weekend to Valencia to celebrate its last round of the season at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. The weather in the form of rain and especially a strong wind has marked the two days prior to today's practice. 

It has been a difficult day because after being two days without being able to ride, riders went out to the track especially 'motivated'. An excess of desire that resulted in more than one crash. The AGR Team will have some more work to do tonight, but tomorrow our riders will have their bikes perfectly ready to face the last race of the season.

Special mention should be made of Sam Wilford, a home rider who fought so hard to get back on his bike after the very serious accident he suffered last year. The season that ends tomorrow has not met Sam's expectations for this year, mainly due to a ligament damage in one of his knees. From the team we want to put on record that we are sure that the speed he lacks will return once he has repaired this bad knee. Sam's best is yet to come, we are sure of it. 

JUNIOR GP

Cormac Buchanan P8

“Today was a very interesting day. I entered wanting just ride the bike after two days sitting around doing nothing.Unfortunately, in the practice session we did three laps and in corner 3I made a very big highside, one of the biggest in my career. I was in a lot of pain. This meant that I couldn't go straight into Q2. Anyway I was fast, so in Q1 I put a fast lap together, which was good enough to go to Q2. The Q2 session was quite difficult. At first because we missed the group in the first run, but in the last try I was able to make really fast sectors. I was one of the fastest. Unfortunately I was in a lot of traffic, which meant that I couldn’t put all my sectors together. So finally we start P8 for tomorrow’s race, but in an ideal lap I would have been on the front row. I’m a little bit disappointed but anyway I’m happy with the feeling and for tomorrow I’ll push.”    

Torin Colins P26 

"It has been a complicated day because of the wind. I couldn't get into Q2 straight away, and in Q1 I didn't feel comfortable at all. The wind was a nuisance today."

MOTO2

Mattia Rato P12

“A bad day, a difficult day. This morning I started having a good feeling, but Q1 was complicated due to the wind. I haven’t been able to do even one good lap. I lapped slow. In the afternoon we did an important step forward. With used tires i was one second faster. We had found the ride way. Then I put new tires and I crashed in a very fast point of the circuit. Fortunately I’m OK. Hope to have a good feeling tomorrow and do well.”

Sam Wilford P16

“A very strange weekend after not having any practice and going straight into qualifying. I hope tomorrow we can improve on our position and end the year on a high!”

European Talent Cup ETC

Owen van Trigt P15

"It was a complicated day because of the wind. Riding was very difficult. In the first session I felt comfortable on the bike and the feeling I had was that I was going fast, but in the end the time didn't come out.".

Afonso Almeida P23

It was a difficult day because after two days without being able to ride, the riders went out to the track especially 'motivated'. 

Unfortunately Afonso, who joined us this weekend, making his debut in the FIM Junior World Championship, suffered an accident entering the pitlane caused by a distraction. As a result of the crash the Portuguese rider will not be able to start tomorrow's race. 

From the AGR Team we can only regret this situation and wish him a speedy recovery. We wish to see him back on a motorcycle as soon as possible. 

AGR Team is pleased to announce the participation of Portuguese rider Afonso Almeida for the last round of the FIM JuniorGP at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. Almeida, a young rider coming from ESBK, will make his first appearance in the European Talent Cup category. 

Anscari Nadal: "It is an honor for AGR to give this opportunity to the young Portuguese rider Almeida, who comes to us from the ESBK and has the recommendation of Paulo Oliveira. This will be his first participation in this category and our main objective is for Almeida to gain confidence with the bike and go from strength to strength".

Afonso Almeida: "I’m very happy for the possibility given to me to compete in the last race of the European Talent Cup in a team like AGR. I am very grateful to the AGR team, Paulo Oliveira and Miguel Oliveira Racing Team for giving me the possibility to live this experience. I'm going to do my best this weekend to show my gratitude to everyone who believed in me."

In terms of results, it has not been the best weekend for our riders, who in all categories have been affected by the penalties received yesterday, which relegated them to start in positions that did not match the results obtained in the qualifying sessions.

From the AGR Team management we want to congratulate our riders and our team workers for having given everything throughout the weekend, regardless of the frustration that has caused us what we have explained above. We are a strong, experienced and dedicated team, always and in any circumstance to our riders.

We are all looking forward to the month before the race in Valencia so that we can provide our riders with the best possible equipment, as we have done throughout the season. In the races there are times when things go well and other times not so well, but in the AGR Team we never stop rowing.

JUNIOR GP

Cormac Buchanan P20 Championship P12 Points 50

“Many different emotions after today’s race. Firstly, I’m very happy with thw work we have done as a team. The qualifying P2 was very good. A grid position that was taken from us in what might have been a not very fair decision, but ultimately it is a steward decision and we have to respect that. It made the race very difficult at first

but we went from P26 to P10 in six laps, but unfortunately when you have to come through the pack there is a lot of risk involved. Om lap seven or eight I lost the front. I was able to pick up the bike and carry on. Ultimately is not the result I wanted for this weekend. I’m a bit disappointed. If we had started P2, which is where we deserved

to start, maybe the race would have been different. Obviously we wouldn’t have to take as many risks and we may have been able to go in the front and all the way. After the race it was a disappointing result, especially for the team. We hope to come back strong in Valencia and finish the season in a strong way.”

Torin Collins P22 Championship P28 Points 1

“Was quite a fun race. The position at the end wasn’t what I wanted but in the first couple of laps I was very aggressive and I made some good passes. In the middle of the race I was not so fast and other riders passed me. From then on I had a very good battle until the last corner. Although the result was not the one I wanted, it was a fun race.”

MOTO2

Mattia Rato  Race1 P12 / Race2 P11 Championship P4  Points 107

“In race 1 i started not bad. At the beginning I was able to be fast but in the middle of the race the steering damper failed and riding turned very difficult. In fact, at a certain point I thought I had a puncture in the front wheel and ran off the track trying to control the bike. In race 2 I started OK. As in the previous race I was able to catch up some positions. I was riding well until midrace. But from there on I lost the rhythm and wasn’t able to ride well and lost two positions."

Sam Wilford Race1 P15 / Race2 DNF Championship P12 Points 46

“Challenging two races today. Not where we want to be, we will keep working as a team to come back stronger and finish the last race in Valencia on a high..”

EUROPEAN TALENT CUP (ETC)

Owen van Trigt

Championship P31 Points 1

Unfortunately Owen was unable to race today as fog prevented the 'Last Chance' race from taking place.

After almost three months of hiatus, the FIM JuniorGP World Championship called its riders for its penultimate event. The setting, the Motorland circuit in Alcañiz. AGR Team will be present in this race with five riders:

● Cormac Buchanan and Torin Collins in Junior MotoGP

● Mattia Rato and Sam Wilford in Moto 2

● Owen van Trigt in the European Talent Cup.

Fog has become an unexpected protagonist, causing yesterday a two-hour delay in the scheduled timetable, and a half-hour delay today. It may happen that tomorrow it will be an issue.

In terms of sporting activity, the day was characterized by the rigorous application of the revised rule at the last race in Barcelona, which penalizes riders more strictly the riders who deliberately ride slowly on the track.

The severe use of this rule has led to a massive penalty in all categories. This has resulted in many of the faster riders starting from the back of the grid tomorrow, with many slower riders ahead of them. From the AGR Team we want to point out that this can generate high risk situations in the early stages of the race.

Obviously in the AGR Team we are totally aligned with the organizer of the championship in correcting situations on track that may generate danger for riders during the practice sessions. We also agree that the rules must be rigorously applied. But at the same time, we claim that in order to avoid unfair situations these rules must be applied with criteria, individually, to avoid that, as in the case of one of our riders, he is penalized for riding slow on the pit exit lap, only in one sector.

All our riders, except Torin Collins, have been penalized by the new rule, so regardless of their times in the qualifying sessions, they will have to start tomorrow from the back of their respective grids. 

JUNIOR GP 

Cormac Buchanan P*

“What to say about today? Firstly, I want to say a big thank you to the team for the work we have been doing all weekend. We started a little bit slow but kept improving. Saturday morning started really well. I did my best ever lap time on this track, mostly alone, which was really nice. Unfortunately on my out lap I did a slow sector. I had to start in the back of the grid. In Q2 it was quite funny, we took this position as a motivation and we did a very nice lap that put us on P2. Even if we have a penalty I’m sure we can have fun. I’m confident that we can get to the front even so. I’m excited for the race tomorrow.”

Torin Collins P*

“Today was quite difficult. It didn’t go how I wanted to. My grid position isn’t very good but I’m confident for tomorrow’s race.” 

*At the time of closing this release the final grid configuration was not known.

MOTO2

Mattia Rato P15

“A bad day. I fell down. In Q1 I felt good, I had improved the bike, but after three timed laps I crashed. In other words, I couldn't get the best out of one tire or the other. In the afternoon I went out with a good feeling, but after one timed lap I crashed again. This led me to do the last three laps very sore. To this we have to add a penalty. The result is that in race #1 we will start from the back."

Sam Wilford P18

“Difficult qualifying today and a penalty for race 1 tomorrow which puts us back of the grid. We will still try to do the best job tomorrow and come forward in the races.”

EUROPEAN TALENT CUP (ETC)

Owen van Trigt Not classified for main race  

“There is not much to say, it has been a bad day. Right now I’m pretty upset.” 

With deep regret we announce the departure of the Australian rider Carter Thompson from AGR Team. So the team will compete at Motorland with only 5 riders.

Anscari Nadal: "It is very unusual to see a rider not finishing the season at AGR but from the team we could not do more, we have given all the facilities and we have done everything possible but this story must end here. We wish Carter all the best, first and foremost he is a good guy".

The AGR team is pleased to announce the renewal of the contract of Cormac Buchanan, one of our outstanding riders in the Junior GP category. After a season full of passion and excitement, we have decided to continue our sporting partnership with Cormac to further develop his racing career together.

Since Cormac joined the AGR team, he has shown incredible commitment and significant tenacity within the championship. The decision to renew his contract is  testament to our confidence in his ability to continue to represent the values and ethos of the AGR Team, both on and off the track. We look forward to the coming season and are confident that Cormac will continue to make his mark on the world of motorcycling.

Anscari Nadal 

"I am delighted with him and his work. We are already doing well this season, and we are sure that next season will be even better. We are very happy to have Cormac; he is a great person and a great professional, as well as being surrounded by a great family. We are delighted to help him achieve his goal of making the jump to the World Championship as quickly as possible."

Cormac Buchanan 

"I am very happy to be able to renew for next season. I feel that the team really has confidence in me. Throughout this year, we have made a big step forward; compared to 2022, we are now close to podium positions. I'm convinced that next season we can fight for the championship and the top positions.”

As yesterday, the heat was the protagonist of the fifth round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship, held at the Montmeló circuit, which made it the home race. Today, Sunday, two races were held in the JuinioGP and Moto2 categories, and one in the European Talent Cup. Now the championship enters a kind of lethargy that will last until October, when in Motorland Aragon and Valencia the FIM JuniorGP will hold the two remaining events.

JUNIOR GP

Cormac Buchanan Race 1, P17 / Race 2, P11 

“First race today was very difficult as we did the wrong choice in the gearing. Out of the corners we had no drive and we struggled a lot in the race. We changed the gearing for the second race and we could then do a good race. I was riding calm, choosing the time to push. In the last 8 laps we went to P9. I had a lot of tire left. The riders around me were not slow, but I could pass them easily. But then we had a problem on the bike which meant that we weren’t able to ride fast. We were 4/5 seconds slower per lap. That costed us a good result today, as we had pace for the podium. As I stayed on the track, some crashes helped me to finish P11. Some points are still good and for sure we will come back stronger   

Torin Colins Race 1, P27 / Race 2, P18 

“In ther first race I run off track while riding in a group. I rejoined the race but in the very back and riding alone. The second race went clearly better. I rode in a group and we had some nice fights. I took advantage of some crashes that happened to riders in front which allowed me to finish P18. I would say it’s a positive result.”

MOTO 2

Matia Rato Race 1, P6 / Race 2, P4

“Two pretty good races. In the first I didn’t start very well and also a rider pushed me out of my line. I pushed to recover the positions.In the last laps I had a tough battle with Ierai. This time he won. In the second race the start was better, which allowed me to catch up a good number of positions. After the race was similar to the previous one. Little by little I was gaining positions. This time I was lucky because two riders who were in front of me crashed and this made me finish P4. Definitely we have to improve our qualifying lap, because our pace equals the one of the riders who fight for the victory.” 

Sam Wilford Race 1, P8 / Race 2, DNF

“A difficult 2 races for us today. I feel like we had good pace but unfortunately crashed out of race 2. We have made really good progress throughout the season but haven’t had the chance to show our potential. I look forward to coming back stronger in Aragon!”

EUROPEAN TALENT CUP (ETC)

Carter Thompson DNF

“Today I started not so bad. I was in the front group but wasn’t able to push through as I wanted as down the straight I haven’t as much speed as the other riders. I was able to catch up in the corners. About midrace I was caught up in an incident. I tried to overtake one rider and we hit and I crashed.”

Owen van Trigt P18

“I did a good start but in turn #1 I was pushed out of the line. I started to catch uo, joined the group which was riding in front of me. We had a nice fight and finally I finished in front of the riders I was racing with. the result is not what I expected, but I’m positive because i feel that this weekend we made a clear progress.”

The Circuit of Catalunya hosts this weekend the fifth round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship, which will be the 'home race' for AGR Team. As usual, we are present with six riders distributed in three categories.

Under tremendous heat, with the track at more than 50º (122º Fº), today the free sessions were held and then the qualifying sessions that served to set the starting grid for tomorrow's races. JuniorMotoGP and Moto2 will race twice, the European talent Cup will race only once. 

JUNIOR GP

Cormac Buchanan P14

“It has been a difficult day. In the first practice at the start I did a decent lap riding alone but unfortunately we crashed, so I wasn’t able to improve that lap time. Luckily it was enough to go into Q2 straight away. In the Q2 session we didn’t make the best use of the new tire. Once we found a good pace on the track after we did not take out most of the new tire. We start P14 but I'm confident we can make a good comeback. Our goal is finishing in the front and I’m sure we can do that. We just have to wait and see how the race goes.

Torin Collins

“Today in practice I was able to make another step but the time wasn’t good enough to make me go straight to Q2. But I was happy with the progress we were making with our speed. In Q1 we tried a new strategy for us. It worked pretty good apart from m y two last flying laps with new tires. In the first lap a made a mistake, in the second lap a rider crashed in front of me. So it messed up my lap a little bit. Starting in the back of the grid is not where I wanted to for tomorrow but I’m still confident that I can perform well tomorrow.”

MOTO 2

Mattia Rato P11

"The key today was the set-up we went out with in the second run. I was one of the few who lowered the time in this session, as the hot conditions meant that most of the riders didn't improve their morning lap times. The position on the grid is not what I wanted, obviously, but I think I have the pace to be in the group that will fight for the top positions tomorrow.

Sam Wilford P13

“We will start tomorrow P13 of the grid. It is not where I thought we had potential for but hopefully we can move forward in the two races.”

EUROPEAN TALENT CUP (ETC)

Carter Thompson P4

“Today in qualifying I put some good laps in, had pretty good pace alone as well. I ended up P4 in the first session, which was pretty good. Could have been better but still positive. In the second practice it was a little bit harder. We had some problems with the rear grip so I wasn't able to put the fastest time in. We ended up P5 in the session but still P4 overall, so tomorrow should be good. I have a good pace so I think we will have a good race.”

Owen van Trigt

“Today was a good day. We did some changes on the bike that made me feel good. The second qualifying was good. I’m ready to race tomorrow. Full gas!".

Intense Sunday today in Portimao, where the FIM Junior MotoGP World Championship completed up to six races. For the AGR Team the fourth event of this championship has been an intense weekend in which the team has worked hard to put in the hands of its riders the most competitive bikes possible.

This weekend's results do not reflect the level of competitiveness shown by our riders in Portugal. In Junior MotoGP Cormac Thompson even led one of his races; in Moto2, Mattia Rato made a tremendous comeback in the first race, while in the second race Sam Willford put in his best performance of the season. The team is especially happy to see the best Sam back.

For our ETC drivers the weekend was not an easy one. Their races were affected by the lack of a good lap time in practice that would have allowed them to start further up the grid. Starting from the middle of the grid increases the risk of an incident in the first moments of the race, as it happened to Carter Thompson.

Junior MotoGP

Cormac Thompson Race 1 DNF / Race 2 P7

"In the first race I was really on fire. On the first lap I was P4 and soon after I was in the lead. Unfortunately I crashed out after that. I tried to get back into the race but it wasn't possible because of a broken shift guide. In the second race I had a good start, I was able to keep my position. I saw how the front group got away. My goal was to fight for the podium. But a driver touched me and took me off the track but I had lost a lot of positions. I was fighting for P4, to finally come in P7. It's not the result I was hoping for this weekend, especially the crash in the first race. I'm looking forward to the Barcelona race, where I'm sure we'll be fighting for the win."

Torin Collins Race 1 DNL / Race 2 P23

"My clutch overheated while I was waiting for the start and when the lights went out I couldn't get out of my position. I'm happy with the second race because I set my best lap time of the weekend, which means I've been improving. The final position doesn't reflect the reality of the race".

Moto2

Mattia Rato Race 1 P6 / Race 2 P8

"During the race, we had a slight problem with the bike that didn't allow us to have the right pace and finish in the desired position. The second race went better, but it was a complicated weekend from which we came away with points. Now we have to think about Barcelona to fight for the top positions".

Sam Wilford Race 1 P11 / Race 2 P7

"I'm happy that we managed to make a step forward in the second race. Hopefully we can keep the same line in the next race in Barcelona".

European Talent Cup

Carter Thompson P19

"Things didn't go as planned today. I had a pretty good start which allowed me to overtake some drivers in the first few corners. At turn #5 a rider almost crashed and in the manoeuvre to avoid him I went off the track. I came back on track but I was already in P24. I started to recover, I overtook the group in front of me and I thought I could make it to the next one, but the tyres started to feel the strain. I could make it up to two drivers in front of me, but it still wasn't a good qualifying. Now I'm just thinking about Barcelona."

Owen van Trigt DNF

"It wasn't the result I was hoping for because with three laps to go I crashed. But the positive thing is that my pace was going well up to that point. I am already looking forward to the race in Barcelona."

The FIM JuniorGP World Championship traveled this weekend to the south of Portugal to celebrate its fourth round. At the circuit located on the outskirts of Portimao, the riders encountered a very special track, unique in the world for its striking and continuous level changes, and for its high average speed.

The AGR Team faces this challenge with the same motivation as always and ready to give our riders the necessary tools to be able to perform at their highest level. As in the rest of the FIM JuniorGP rounds, the AGR Team is present in three of the four categories with its now classic line-up composed of riders of different nationalities. 

The free and timed practice sessions were held with good weather and the classic wind that blows in this part of Portugal. A wind that not only conditioned the riding of our riders, but also made the work of our technicians difficult. 

JuniorGP

Cormac has done very well. He has a lot of pace. He managed to do just one good lap in Q2, but it was enough to make P7. We believe that tomorrow he is a candidate for everything. As for Torin Collins, Portimao is costing him a lot. He hasn't finished in high spirits, but from the team, as always, we support him both technically and psychologically. There are weekends when he suffers more than others. 

Cormac Buchanan P6

"Today was a positive day for us. In the grid-setting session, we had a small problem with the bike at the first start; nothing major, just a sensor. On the next start I did 1.48.7, which put me P6, so I went straight through to Q2. In Q2 it was difficult with all the tactics and riders riding slowly on track. I tried to do my best, and in the end I decided to ride alone. I set my best time of the day, which puts me P7 on the grid for tomorrow. It's a good result and I feel strong. The bike is going well, the team is working.... I'm sure the race tomorrow will be a good one. I hope I can conquer a trophy or two for the team."  

Torin Collins 21

 "We improved on yesterday's time but I'm not happy with the day's result. Tomorrow we will have to give everything from the start in both races."

Moto2 

Both Mattia and Sam have good pace, but neither of our two riders managed to do the fastest lap to get into the first rows of the grid; they lacked. We hope that tomorrow, with a good start, they will be able to get into the group that will fight for positions much further ahead than those they have on the grid. 

Mattia Rato P12

"I had two small crashes in Q1 in the same corner, but I'm fine. This prevented me from being really fast. In Q2 it was a bit chaotic because everyone is waiting for everyone else to catch a slipstream. I'm confident that tomorrow, once the race starts, I'll be able to make up positions."

Sam Wilford P13

"We will start tomorrow's two races from 14th place. I think we can have a good two races here and make progress throughout."

European Talent Cup (ETC)

Carter Thompson, who was very good in free practice yesterday, didn't find the same pace today when he found himself riding in a group. But that's what Talent is for, a category for the riders to learn what top competition is like. Carter, however, has the pace for tomorrow. As for Owen, he has improved from yesterday's free practice. 

Carter Thompson TBC

"Today was not the best day. I wasn't able to do a good lap. But the feeling on the bike was good so I'm looking forward to tomorrow to push hard in the race.

Owen van Trigt TBC

"I didn't get the lap I was looking for, but we improved and I hope to make the most of tomorrow's race."

What a spectacular Sunday our riders starred today in Jerez de la Frontera, in the third round of the FIM Junior MotoGP. In intense races they showed us that, regardless of the final result, they are true fighters, and that is what we at AGR Team especially appreciate. The team gives everything to give its riders the best material, without sparing hours of work. Seeing how our riders do the same on the track motivates us to the maximum.

Junior GP

Two races were held in the JuniorGP category with two of our riders: Cormac Buchanan and Torin Collins. In both our New Zealander rider set the heart rate of those of us who follow the races from the box. 

In the first race Cormac's positions were a real roller coaster, because after passing first on the first lap, he was 15th with four laps to go, when he was imposed a long lap. But in a heart-stopping comeback -which he would repeat in the second race-, he ended up crossing under the checkered flag in fifth. The dynamics of the second race were similar. A good start, half of the race in the second group, and a devastating final sprint that took him to the lead with two laps to go. He finally entered the finish line fourth, completing his best weekend since he has been with us... Congratulations to him and his team.

Cormac Buchanan Race 1 P5 / Race 2 P4

"The first race was pretty good. I started third on the grid and took the lead. I was feeling pretty good, comfortable, but a few riders overtook me. In that part I had some problems with the heritage. From race direction I was penalized with a long lap, which dropped me down to P15, but I made a good comeback to P5 at the end of the race. The second race was very difficult. On the first lap I passed P2 and from then on it was a relentless fight. At one point I got to P9 and the race leader took some advantage, but I managed to neutralize the difference and I got to P1 with two laps to go. But unfortunately in the last corner a rider took me out of the line. I couldn't get back on the track because there was another rider, but I still finished P4, close to the podium. It was a good weekend, the first time I finished in the front group and less than half a second from victory. We also scored a lot of points for the championship. If I'm not mistaken, we're 4 points out of P5. Happy about that, and looking forward to Portimao where I want to take it and give the team one of the trophies they give out on the podium."

Torin Collins Race 1 P19 / Race 2 DNF

"The weekend has been quite difficult for me - Jerez is a circuit where I have suffered in the past. I confess I came into the weekend a little nervous, but we were determined to grow in confidence. Qualifying wasn't particularly good, but we took a step forward. In the first race the first few corners were good and the first half of the race I was quite fast. But at the end I lost the rhythm and got unhooked from the group. It was a bit disappointing, but we were ready to turn the situation around in the second race. But in race two my start was very bad. The start wasn't bad at all, but then I lost my rhythm again. I ended up crashing in turn #11, which is a very fast corner. Except for a little pain in the ankle, everything else is OK and I will be ready for the race in Portimao."

Moto 2

A great race for Mattia Rato in Moto2, showing that the second place in Valencia was not a coincidence but the confirmation of where the rider and the team are at the moment. In Jerez, Mattia was on the verge of the podium, a position he reached after a very mature race in which he knew how to have patience to make his way through the pack. Conditioned by a bad qualifying -P13-, Rato this time had to run more with his head than his heart, showing a maturity that positions him to fight to finish the championship at the top.

Mattia Rato's bike was timed as the fastest of the 22 that took the start, which is a sign of the level of the technicians of Team AGR, and of which we are logically proud.   

Mattia Rato P4

"I had a good start, but in the second corner I made a mistake in first gear. I lost a lot of positions; I think I went down to P12. Little by little, staying very concentrated, without making a mistake again, I made up a lot of positions. I'm happy because we had a bike that allowed me to make several overtakes. It left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth because I had the podium there, but I'm very happy with how we worked throughout the weekend. At one point I wasn't feeling good on the bike, but for the race the team gave me a tremendously efficient bike."  

Sam Wilford P12

“We managed to gain some positions in the race to take home some points. Obviously not where we want to be but we will continue working in the right direction.”

European Talent Cup

Our two ETC riders continue with their process of adaptation to a category that is new for Owen van Trigt, and in the case of Enzo Bellon it adds to his debut with the AGR Team. The races of both were conditioned by their respective positions on the grid. The important thing in both cases is that they took their respective bikes to the finish line, which is the best way to learn. 

Owen van Trigt Race 1 P18 / Race P20

“In the first race I was in a big group that was battling for points, but in the end I didn’t make it. In the second race the start was a little bit better but I lost contact with the front group and rode somehow alone, until the last five laps when I had a battle with Alomar, who I finally beat. I’m looking forward to the Portimao race to do better.”

Enzo Bellon Race 1 P25 / Race P25

“I did a not very good start in the first race and got stuck in a group that didn’t allow me to progress. Second race was more or less the same.”

FIM Junior GP Championship weekend. In its third round the championship traveled to the south of Spain, specifically to the mythical circuit of Jerez de la Frontera. Today qualifying sessions to form the starting grids for tomorrow's races were held. The AGR is present with its riders in three categories.

JuniorGP

A very good result for Cormac Buchanan today, who managed to get on the front row of the grid despite yesterday's heavy crash in free practice. His team deserves a good part of that credit for providing our New Zealander rider with an extremely competitive bike after it was badly damaged in yesterday's incident... Good job, guys!

Cormac Buchanan P3

“Today was a really nice day. I had a good feeling with the bike, despite the heavy crash I had yesterday on free practice 2 session. My original goal was just to qualify straight away to Q2. We were P7 in final free practice which was really nice. In the Q2 I looked at the clouds and said to myself that I had to put  in a good lap early on because the conditions looked like they would get worse and worse. I managed to do a nice lap in the first part of the session, which put me in P3. No one improved that so it was a nice way to start for tomorrow’s races. It’s my second front row and obviously I’m very happy. I have to thank the team for the great job we are doing and also Ansacri because he is helping me a lot this weekend. For the races it’s going to be a battle and I will give my best trying to get a trophy for my team this weekend.”

Torin Collins P24

“I made my best time of the weekend t in Q2. I will start in P24 and I hope to make a good start and gain positions already at the beginning of the race. I'm looking forward to tomorrow!”

Moto2 

P10 on the grid does not reflect the good work Mattia Rato showed during practice sessions. Moto2 is very close this weekend in Jerez, so tomorrow the start will be a very important factor. If Mattia can make a good start, he will have a good race because he has the pace.

Mattia Rato P10

“We tested some things on the bike, with which I did P10 in Q1. In Q2 we tried some other things that didn't work very well. I thought I could improve my time a little bit, but it wasn't possible. I'm happy that we know what we need for tomorrow's race, and I'm sure we'll do well.” 

Sam wilford P14

"We will start the race from P14 tomorrow. We managed to work on some things during the test and free practice sessions on my riding to help me. We are only 1 second from pole and I think we can have a good race tomorrow to move through the field"

European Talent Cup

In the ETC we continue to work with Owen van Trigt, a rookie in the championship but who is taking steps forward every time he goes out on track, which is what it is all about when you are getting the hang of a new category. We are also making our debut with Enzo Bellon, who joins the AGR Team for this race. He hadn't qualified yet this year, which we did today, so good for him and his team. 

The final Talent Cup grid will be configured tomorrow, after the Last Chance Race, which will provide the last riders of the final grid. 

Owen van Trigt P12 Group A

"Obviously I'm not where I'd like to be, but I'm happy that we've taken another step forward. So far this weekend I've been pretty consistent and solid. Let's see how the race goes tomorrow, I'll go out there and give it my all, as always"

Enzo Bellon P13 Group B 

"On the one hand I'm happy because I qualified for the grid and because I've been improving every time I've been out on track. On the other hand, I was hoping to qualify a little higher, but in the end the points will be distributed tomorrow. I hope to have a good race and give my team a good result in my debut with them"

The AGR Team announces the incorporation of Enzo Bellon to our structure for the FIM Junior GP event to be held this weekend at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, where he will ride in the European Talent Cup category.

A French rider originally from the French overseas territory of Reunion, at 14 years of age Enzo is already considered one of the most talented young riders in French motorcycling. Expectations that Bellon has been finding with promising results in the competitions in which he has taken part both in France and in Spain.

In the AGR Team we wish Enzo the best of luck for the weekend and, as we do with all our riders, we will help him to achieve his expectations by giving him all the support, technical and human, to allow Enzo show his promising skills.

After undergoing surgery by Xavier Mir and his team at the Dexeus Clinic in Barcelona, our rider Carter Thompson is evolving favorably from the broken collarbone caused while participating in the Rookies Cup at Le Mans, held during the last French GP. 

Thompson will not be present at the next round of the FIM Junior GP. The whole AGR Team hopes for a speedy recovery for Carter.

From the AGR Team we also want to thank once again Dr. Mir and his team for their help and good work.

The AGR Team returns home from the second Junior GP event of the 2023 season with the satisfaction of a podium finish, but especially having seen our riders show the character expected of young guys who are determined to do something important in the sport they have chosen.

With an excellent performance Mattia Rato gave AGR Team its first podium of the season, which for sure will not be the last one this season. A bravo to our Italian rider who knew how to manage the pressure coming from behind from riders with much more experience than him.

Also very satisfied with our Junior GP riders, Buchanan and Collins; both achieved their best results ever. Cormac came back in race 1 from P16 on the second lap to finish 7th. A result that would surely have been better if he had been more efficient at the start, but it showed the determination of our New Zealander rider. As for Torin, in the second race he scored his first points of the championship, which is always a special mark.

Moto 2

Mattia Rato P2

“Obviously I am very happy with this result. I'm back on the podium after a very difficult season last year. I worked very hard to get it. I want to thank my father, my mother, my whole family and the team. Forza Napoli!”

Sam Wilford P11

“It has been a difficult weekend for us. Was able to make progress in the race, but the plan now is to reset and do a good job in Jerez in two weeks time.”

Junior GP

Cormac Buchanan Race 1 P7 / Race 2 DNF

“Today was a quite interesting day. It was very good in race 1 but not so good in the second one. In the first race I didn’t make the best start. I was P16 after the second lap. I said to myself that if I wanted to do a good result I had to start passing riders. Contrary to other occasions, today when I got behind a rider I immediately overtook him. Finally I was able to finish in the 7th position, which is my best ever result. Really nice, good result for the team. Starting from P19 and finishing P7 was quite good comeback. 

In the 2nd race I started a lot better and I was in the group for the podium. Unfortunately two riders crashed in front of me and got caught up in the crash. I had a big high side and got hit in the gravel escape area. I’m in a big pain right now, but hopefully I can make Jerez and continue the good momentum from here."

Torin Collins Race 1 P20 / Race 2 

"This weekend turned out really good. In the first race I had a good start and a good first lap, but then I crashed on lap 2. I was able to get the bike started again and continue. I was able to catch the riders who were racing in front of me and finally I managed to finish P20. I was really happy with that.

In race 2 the start wasn’t as good, but I was able to get locked in with other riders and because of some crashes I was able to get my first points. So I’m really happy "

European Talent Cup 

Owen Van Trigt Race 1 P15 / Race 2 P 21

"I'm very happy because I got my first point in the championship. It's a good sign, we are improving race by race. The second race was not as we expected, after exceeding the track limits and being reprimanded by race direction we could not finish in an optimal position."

The Ricardo Tormo Circuit located on the outskirts of Valencia hosts this weekend the second event of the FIM Junior, where the AGR Team, as we reported yesterday, with the absence of Carter Thompson.

After yesterday's training sessions, today our riders have disputed the sessions that configured the starting grids for tomorrow. As almost always in Valencia, the sessions have been held with an optimal weather, although in some moments it was even too hot. As always happens in the races, some of our riders have done better than others, but all of them are ready for their respective races. From the team we will give them the maximum technical and human support so that they can continue to grow as riders.

These were today's results and the statements of our riders. 

Junior GP

Cormac Buchanan P19

“Today was a difficult day. Because of yesterday's crash I rode with a lot of pain in my shoulder and ribs. In the free session I basically tried to get a good feeling with the bike and myself, because yesterday we missed a lot of laps. We didn't know in which positions we could be. After the first run I said to myself: 'OK, maybe I can go for getting you into Q2. In the end I ended up P16, but I did a time that will probably put me P5 on the grid. The pace was really fast and I was less than half a tenth away from getting into Q2. This was quite positive, especially considering the circumstances we were in. Then, in Q1, I tried to do a good lap but, honestly, I wasn't able to do the lap I needed. It was quite unfortunate, because I have the pace to fight for the top 10. I know I can be there. Tomorrow we have to go out on the attack, and see what happens. I'm looking forward to the race. I'm optimistic and I'll do my best to give the team a good result."

Torin Collins P22

“Today was an alright day. It could have been a little better. In the qualifying session my pace was good, but still not good enough to go straight into Q2.  But in Q1 we went out very determined. I couldn't do the perfect lap, and in the last laps another rider slowed me down, which made me lose contact with the group. In the end it was not a perfect qualifying, but better than usual.” 

Moto2

Mattia Rato P6

“I am very happy, I have done a good job. I felt good on the bike very quickly. Two good qualifying sessions. In the first one I was lucky to be able to catch up with another rider, which allowed me to do a good lap; in the second one I'm happy because I had a good pace.  Let's hope for a good start tomorrow and then we'll see.”

Sam Wilford P10

"A good qualifying. We struggled to improve in Q2. I think we have good pace for tomorrow and that we can have a good race, and fight for the top five positions."

European Talent Cup

Owen van Trigt P13

“It was good, it could have been better, but we need more. I learned a lot today riding behind the faster riders, especially in the corners. Their cornering speed is much higher. I think overall we did a good job.” 

From the AGR Team we regret to announce that our rider Carter Thompson will not take part in the second event of the FIM Junior GP that will be held this weekend at the Valencia circuit. After having performed an X-ray on him at a hospital in Valencia yesterday Thursday night, it has been verified that he suffers a fracture in his right clavicle.

As it will be recalled, Carter Thompson suffered a heavy crash at Le Mans in which he temporarily lost consciousness, which led the doctors to transfer him to a hospital center to keep him under observation. There he told the doctors about the discomfort they felt in his right shoulder, bruised in the incident of the crash. However, he was not given much importance. Once discharged, Carter Thompson returned to his habitual residence, where he rested except for one day when he went for a short bike ride. During that lap he felt some discomfort in his shoulder, although nothing was out of the ordinary after one like the one he had. As it is, Carter traveled to Valencia to take part in this weekend's FIM Junior event.

Yesterday, Thursday, Thompson got on his bike to take part in FP1. Throughout the session I felt intense pain in his shoulder, which, however, did not prevent me from riding fast. In the team we try to minimize this pain based on a specific bandage and provide pain relievers. He went out in FP2, but the pain was increasing and Carter suffered a lot in that session.

In this situation, thinking that Thompson's discomfort could be due to a tendon or muscle problem, Carter was taken to a most trusted physiotherapist of the team, who immediately suggested a possible fracture in his right clavicle, diagnosed that obviously it would have to be checked. by means of an x-ray. He was immediately transferred to the emergency hospital center in Valencia, where the examination revealed the fracture.

Obviously in view of this circumstance Carter Thompson will not take part in this weekend's event. Our pilot has to travel immediately to Barcelona for a new exploration that will indicate the procedure to follow. The expectation is that Carter is recovered to take part in the FIM JuniorGP to be held in Jerez de la Frontera and in the Rookies Cup that will take place on the Italian GP weekend.

The Estoril circuit hosted this weekend the first round of the Finetwork FIM Junior GP World Championship. The AGR Team and our riders arrived in Portugal motivated and eager to return to action after a winter that has been too long for all of us.

The AGR Team will be present this season in three categories. 

● In FIM Junior we will support the New Zealander Cormac Buchanan and the Canadian Torin Collins; both repeat with us. 

● In Moto2 our riders will be Sam Wilford, one of our own, and our new Italian addition, Mattia Rato. 

● In the European Talent Cup we repeat with the Australian Carter Thompson and incorporate the Dutch rider Owen van Trigt. With both we hope to help them grow as riders so they can continue to advance in their careers.

The weekend in Portimao was characterized by good weather, the usual wind that blows in that part of Portugal, and the impetus given by the young riders participating in the FIM JuniorGP, which led to incidents and accidents that forced the interruption of some of the races that took place... Things of 'the force of youth'.

Among our riders, throughout the weekend there was a bit of everything, as is typical of racing. But the positive spirit and determination of the team to help and support our riders in every way has always prevailed. 

Junior GP

A multiple crash late in the race forced Race Direction to neutralize the race and reschedule it for a 5-lap sprint race. 

Cormac Buchanan P13

Torin Collins DNF

Grid position was obviously a determining factor in a race with only 5 laps to go. Buchanan started from the fourth row - 12th - and entered the finish one place further back. Little else can be noted, except that the fastest lap of our New Zealand rider was less than three tenths of a second slower. An encouraging statistic for a weekend that should have ended differently.

In the case of Collins, he went to the ground during the third lap of the race. 

Cormac Buchanan: “Today’s race was quite a difficult one. In race one I wasn’t able to do a good start but was able to regain positions and felt quite good and had the same pace as the front group, but unfortunately the red flag came out when I was fighting for P10. In the second race, I went to P11 but then I made some mistakes and nearly crashed in the last lap, so I finished P14 finally. Not super happy but I made some points. For sure in Valencia it will be more.”

European Talent Cup ETC

The Talent, as it is called in the paddock, held two races in Estoril. 

Race 1

Carter Thompson DNF

Owen van Trigt P 23

In the first race, Carter Thompson's expectations of a good race after qualifying seventh in practice were dashed in the early stages due an engine failure while riding in 5th position. 

Alberto Fernandez, who was in Carter’s slipstream could not avoid hitting him. Both went down pretty hard but fortunately both riders emerged from the incident physically unscathed.

As for Owen van Trigt, a bad start relegated him to the back of the pack, a position from which he began to climb positions. Our rookie finished the race in 23rd place in a group that crossed the finish line separated by thousandths of a second. 

Race 2

Carter Thompson P 14

Owen van Trigt P 25

Carter Thompson's second race was marked by the high speed crash in race one. The good feeling he had with the bike didn’t return in race two. In the first pass through the finish line after the start he had lost eight places with respect to his position on the starting grid. From then on he was caught in a group in which the continuous overtaking gave Carter no chance to go forward. After the 15 laps of the race Carter ended up entering first of that group, doing the best fastest lap among them and adding the 2 points awarded to the 14th classified.

As for Owen van Trigt, his second start in the ETC was a positive one. In his case his evaluation is not to be measured in his position at the finish line but in the evolution of his times. And comparing his best lap of Race 1 with that of Race 2, Owen clearly made a step forward, lapping almost two tenths faster in Race 2 than in Race 1. So it must be considered a positive weekend for our ETC rookie.  

Carter Thompson: “Today I had a good start in race one and was able to stay in top 5 and was able to keep a good pace. But on lap 3 going down the back straight my engine died then got hit and had a really fast crash. In race 2 I was not able to get a good feeling with the bike and didn’t have a great race.”

Moto 2

Bittersweet taste left us the weekend of Mattia Rato in Moto2. The Italian rider was fast from the very first moment, showing that he is aiming for everything for Sunday's races. In the end the podium escaped in both races, but Rato showed that he is going to be one of the roosters of the category. He left Estoril sharing second place in the provisional standings with his compatriot Niccolo Antonelli, a veteran World Championship rider and multiple GGPP winner. 

Race 1

Mattia Rato P5

Sam Wilford P10

A red flag forced the interruption of the first Moto2 race, leading to an 11-lap restart. Our two riders had a good race, a statement that may be strange in the case of Rato, who starting from fourth on the grid 'only' finished fifth. However, the Italian of our team this year, showed a maturity and serenity that made him forget his bad choice at the start, which led him to pass the finish line on the first lap, ninth. Mattia chose the outside to tackle the first corner, which let a bunch of riders sneak up on him on the inside. But far from being obfuscated, he was able to keep his cool, which ended up giving him that fifth position at the finish.

In the case of Sam Wilford, his race was conditioned by his position on the grid, 15th. However, the brave Sam made a very good start, fought the whole race, and in a very tight final sprint entered the finish line tenth, three thousandths ahead of the rider who followed him.    

Race 2

Mattia Rato P4

Sam Wilford P8

An intense and eventful second race, in which up to eight riders were out of the race due to various incidents. Rato again made a mistake in the way he attacked the first corner of the race, losing several positions on the entry again. When on the third lap he began to ride at the same pace as the race leader, he had already opened a lead that was impossible to cut. Nevertheless, Rato was still on the verge of the podium, beating his pursuer again on the finish line. 

As for Wilford, he repeated his good performance of the first race, which only did not shine more because he was conditioned by the 15th place from which he started on the grid. Sam was not happy with his championship debut, which is good, but he certainly gave it his all throughout the weekend.  

Mattia Rato: "In the first race I made a couple of mistakes at the start and in the first two laps. Then little by little I got into the rhythm and in the end I managed to make the difference. In the second race I made a few less mistakes. In the end my pace was better than the others. On the last lap in the last corner I managed to overtake Yeray. I'm happy, the team worked very well and I feel fit."

Sam Wilford: "After a difficult qualifying session yesterday, we managed to save the day today. I look to improve in Valencia, hopefully that means starting from a better position on the grid, which will allow me to fight for better positions in the race".  

First qualifying completed for the young AGR Team riders in mixed track conditions at the Estoril circuit. 

In the Moto2 class, the young Italian rider Mattia Rato will start from the second row of the grid in an excellent fourth position in his debut with the team. With a vibrant energy our rider will be looking to fight among the top positions at a track where he finished third last season. Sam Wilford will start from the fifth row of the grid, in fifteenth position. A difficult day for our driver due to the difficult track conditions, tomorrow he will start with great motivation for two solid races. 

Mattia Rato: "I am very happy with the work we have done since the beginning of the championship. The result we have achieved today is the result of everyone's effort, there is still a long way to go but I am very motivated for tomorrow's race".

Sam Wilford: "We will start both races tomorrow from 15th on the grid. It's not where we want to be, but we'll focus on having two strong races tomorrow."

In the JuniorGP class, Cormac Buchanan will start from the fourth row of the grid in twelfth position while his teammate Torin Collins will start from twenty-sixth. It was a difficult day for our young drivers with a new qualifying format with a third timed practice and a Q1 and Q2. During the first practice, the appearance of rain in the first sectors made it difficult for our riders, who suffered several crashes throughout the day.

Cormac Buchanan: "First of all, I'm happy to have made it straight through to Q2. It's a good result for the team and for us because it wasn't easy. During Q2 I did a good job, I was able to run with the group but the group broke up and I couldn't find a way to set a fast lap".

Torin Collins: "Today was a difficult day for me, we have to improve for the race tomorrow, it's not the position we want to be in, let's give it our all!"

In the European Talent Cup category, Carter Thompson was fifth fastest of the field, while Owen Van Trigt completed the day in fourteenth position. Thompson continues his upward progression on the track and was able to position himself among the top riders, despite suffering a crash during the day. Owen Van Tright is adapting to the category and the team in a very positive way, prioritising his learning on the track. 

Carter Thompson:  "During QP1 I felt good, I was able to do a fast lap but the track conditions and the wind plus a small crash prevented us from improving our time. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's race!

Owen Van Tright: "I still need to adapt to the class but we made small steps forward today. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's race and to continue learning with my team".

Nebrija University and the AGR Team competition team sign a collaboration agreement with the aim of promoting education in the field of motorcycling. A great opportunity for Nebrija University students to apply their knowledge in a real racing environment. This educational alliance will focus on the development of the students of the university to gain experience within the margin of the FIM Junior GP Championship and, in turn, that the AGR team can count on the talent and knowledge of the applicants.

The students will start their training from the beginning of the season and will learn race by race surrounded by great professionals. This union will also provide the delivery of three face-to-face classes of our technical team where they will offer their knowledge and experience. Three on-site classes at the Nebrija University, located in the epicenter of Madrid, two theoretical classes and one with the incorporation of one of our racing motorcycles to complete the experience of the students. We are delighted to be able to communicate this union and we cannot wait to begin this path of mutual growth, which we hope will continue over time.

Anscari Nadal - AGR Team Manager: "From AGR we are very happy to collaborate with a prestigious University such as Nebrija. For us it is the beginning of a collaboration that we hope will last for many years, we are sure it will be very good for both parties. We want to help in the training of their students and in turn be able to open a window to the workplace, we are also delighted to provide the talks at the university."

Sergio Corbera - Nebrija University: "The collaboration with the AGR team is another step that consolidates the "Learning by doing" philosophy of the Nebrija University as a commitment to train the best engineers in all aspects. In this sense, this alliance aims to prepare our students in the world of motorcycling, giving the best students the opportunity to start their professional training in a reference structure.  

 The FIM Junior GP is the prelude to the MotoGP World Championship. The need for technicians in this competition is very high, but due to the leap it represents there is a kind of blockage that prevents teams from giving free rein to incorporate new graduates. This is where there is a gap at present and where we want to direct our collaboration with AGR, a reference structure in the FIM Junior GP. 

For our students it is a very constructive experience, which will bring them great added value on a technical and human level. The fact of having the opportunity to work in a structure such as the FIM Junior GP gives them an insight into the demands and pressure of the world of competition. Undoubtedly, a very enriching collaboration for both parties in which the main beneficiaries are our students and motorcycling".

The AGR Team is pleased to announce the incorporation of the young Italian talent Mattia Rato to our team next season in the Moto2 structure. Mattia Rato, is a young rider with plenty of experience in the Moto2 European Championship being this year, his third year. During the first round of last year's season in Estoril, he also finished on the podium. This year we will join our sporting paths with the aim of mutual growth of both rider and team, bringing out the full potential of our rider this season. Welcome to the team Mattia!

Mattia Rato

"I am very happy to be part of the AGR Team family and I can't wait to start working with the team during the first tests of the season. It's a big change, I feel ready and with faith in myself to give everything from the start with the team. This year we will be able to do very well and achieve great results together. I want to thank my sponsors, the whole AGR team and my family for the support they have given me, I can't wait for the season to start!"

Anscari Nadal

"We are delighted to have Mattia in our team, he is a very young rider but with a lot of experience in the Moto2 class. I think he can be a great teammate together with Sam Wilford, to help each other inside the box and have two riders fighting for the top positions. I also believe that with our help and our training Mattia will improve his riding technique, making a leap in quality to stop fighting for the podium and fight to win races".

Massimiliano Ripamonti

"As CEO of GRD Sport Management, I am very proud that our driver Mattia Ratto is part of the AGR team. First of all because it is one of the most important teams in the Junior GP Championship. We are sure that Mattia will achieve all the goals he sets for himself, being a protagonist throughout the season. I want to thank all the sponsors and Anscari Nadal for being a great professional and a great friend. I am sure that during the course of the whole season we will achieve great results together".

From AGR, we want to express our great enthusiasm to confirm the continuity of the Young rider Carter Thompson in our ranks for the 2023 season. The Australian will be competing in his second year in the European Talent Cup, a category in which he has gained a lot of experience and has managed to take a step forward by staying among the top positions towards the end of the season.

Next year we will continue to encourage the growth of our rider with whom we believe that we will be able to fight for great results from the beginning of the championship. The track is waiting for us!

Carter Thompson

"I am very excited to be joining the AGR team again in 2023. I will be competing in the European Talent Cup and hoping to build on our results from last year and be fighting for podiums in 2023. I will be spending the summer in Australia and heading back to Europe early 2023. I would like to thank the whole AGR team for giving me this opportunity and I can’t wait to get back into it and see what we can do"

Anscari Nadal

"From the beginning of the season there was a change and race by race the feeling on the track got better. Throughout the season, Carter adapted himself more and more to the performance of the bike and the team. I think it is a rider that next year with AGR we will be a winning duo, to be ahead from the first race".

From the AGR Team we want to announce the continuation of Torin Collins in our ranks for the 2023 season. The seventeen-year-old Canadian talent will continue his sporting growth for another year in the Junior GP category. We are very excited to continue working with Torin Collins and to continue his development as a professional rider. We will continue to build on the foundation laid this season with the goal of taking a step forward for next year.

Torin Collins

"I'm super excited and happy to be with the AGR team for another year. I love this team and I think working together we can make a big step forward next year."

Anscari Nadal

"We are delighted that he continues with the team, he is a hardworking rider and a great person. I am sure that with a bit of time we will see the best of Torin, can't wait to start the preseason, see you soon Torin!”

From the AGR team, we want to express our great satisfaction and pride that we have Sam Wilford with us for the 2023 season. The young British rider will continue his sporting growth for another year in the Moto2 class in the Junior GP Championship, after a difficult season marked by the terrible accident suffered during the second race at Estoril.

With great performances from the rider and team we will start a new year with renewed spirit and eager to show the fruits of the effort and experience that our rider has accumulated in his career with us. We will fight together for the podiums!

Sam Wilford

"I am very excited to stay with the AGR team for another season. It’s a great opportunity to show my potential next year being back fully fit after the accident that cut my season short this year. I really can’t wait to get started again in the new year, let’s see what is possible!"

Anscari Nadal

"We started very well in Estoril, but after the incident and with a lot of hard work and effort we made small positive steps until the end of the season even though the consequences of the accident did not allow him to be at 100%. The main goal is to return to where we left off in 2022 and with hard work, we hope to be at the highest level, both driver and team. It's an honor to fight with Sam at the front, who we hope to see on the podium next season”

The AGR Team is pleased to announce Owen van Trigt will join our team next season in the Junior GP European Talent Cup.

Owen van Trigt, is a young rider who started his sporting career from an early age, in 2018 he was the winner of the Minimoto Championship making the jump a year later in the Moto 5 Championship, In this competition, he earned several podiums. One of his most important steps was his incorporation to the European Talent Cup Championship, a category with a high level where Owen van Trigt already has two seasons' experience. We are very pleased to be joining our sporting paths and growing as a team. Welcome Owen!

Owen van Trigt

"My expectations for next season are to be in the points, being able to improve and develop as a rider in every race with the help of the AGR Team. I will do my best to prepare for the season's start during this winter break"

Anscari Nadal

"He is a young rider who has already been training within the 111 Management riders group. In addition to his potential, he is surrounded by good people. We expect a lot from him and we believe he can go far in his career".

The Ricardo Tormo Circuit of Valencia has been the scenario of the 8th and last round of the 2022 FIM Junior World Championship. The AGR Team has been present with his six riders in three different categories.

Junior GP

As expected after yesterday's brilliant pole position, the protagonist of the two races held today was our Colin Veijer. In the first race our Dutch rider dominated the race, leading the eight riders group that fought for the victory. In the final duel Colin has seen how another rider has touched him, finally entering in second position just two thousandths of a second behind the winner.

In the second race, the fight for the last victory of the season was even more fierce, but Veijer never lost his nerve. In fact, he was knocked down by another rider four laps from the end when exiting turn 1 this rider touched Colin’s front brake in a collision. The crash led to the race direction being forced to bring out the red flag and end the race with four laps to go. 

Race 1

Colin Veijer   P2 

Cormac Buchanan   P11

Torin Collins   P17 

Race 2

Cormac Buchanan   P17

Torin Collins   P20

Colin Veijer P23

Colin Veijer

“Race 2 was a bit more difficult because they kept. I tried to get to the front but it was very difficult. I managed to stay there. In the final part Luca came passed me. I tried on his inside out of turn 1. He passed me back. He went quite far to the left. I didn’t expect it. His bike touched my front brake.

I’m happy with how the season ended and the improvements after the summer break. I want to thank Luis for the year, my mechanics, the data guy, Ascari and Angel and all the rest. I look forward to next year in the World Championship; I’m very happy. 

Cormac Buchanan

“Today was a very fun day for me. In the races today I just wanted to take it easy, have a bit of fun. In the 1st race we started form P11 because of the penalties of other riders. I wasn’t able to make good use of the position, but in the last laps I was able to make some good passing and we finished P11, so I was quite happy with this. The 2nd race was more difficult. I made a better start from P16 but unfortunately I had a big moment on the second lap and I bent the handlebar  and from that moment on it went very difficult. It wasn’t the way I wanted to end the season but overall I’m happy with the year I did. Next year we will go faster.”

Torin Collins

“In race 1 I was starting P16. When the lights went out I did not get an amazing start but it was not terrible either. I lost a few places but I was able to get in the group. I got stacked in that group, as I was not able to pass that rider. In the end I won the battle but made an aggressive move on him. At the end I finished P17, which is my best result of the year. In race 2 I started P24. I had a very, very bad start. I think I was almost last place getting in the first corner. I quickly caught up with a couple of riders. I was also getting in the next group but as I got there and planned my next move, the red flag came out. I finished P20. Overall this weekend has been a very big step for me. Through Thursday, Friday, Saturday and today I made big progress with my riding. I’m looking forward to next year because I’m able to progress and do this more often. 

Moto 2

Mattia Volpi  DNF

Sam Wilford  DNF

Mattia Volpi

“This morning I got the OK to race from the doctors. I tried to check myself in the warm up. I had a bit of pain but I felt I could do the race. In the race we did a good race. We were inside the leading group until turn 11, when I got neutral for the first time. From that point on the gearbox went worse and worse. It finally forced me to enter the boxes. Anyhow, our weekend has been good on a track like Valencia, that is not easy. Looking forward for next season.”

Sam Wilford

“Unfortunately we had to retire from the race with a technical problem. These things can happen and today was one of them! Thank you to my team for staying behind me this year after the accident in Estoril!”

European Talent Cup

Carter Thompson   P8

Carter Thompson

“Today was good. I started from the back of the grid because of the penalty. I made a good start, made up a lot of positions, fought hard through the pack. I felt really good with the bike today, had a good pace, and was very fast. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get to the front group. I was starting so far back it was hard to get through, but it was a good race. Ended up P8. The team has been great this year and couldn’t think about it anymore for the year. A lot of learning.”

A new season has been completed. It has been an intense season, with the logical ups and downs that are inherent to our sport. There have been hard moments, such as Sam Wilford's accident that affected us all so much, but also moments of joy and satisfaction. In the form of Colin Veijer's triumphs, but also the progression shown by each of our riders. Both the bad moments and the good ones were shared as a team, which is what the AGR Team is. 

Our team is like a Tower of Babel, but in our case our different backgrounds don't separate us, they amalgamate us. We don't know what the future holds for Colin, Cormac, Torin, Mattia, Sam and Carter, but we at AGR Team are proud to have worked with them and to have helped them grow as riders. We for our part have given it our all.

Now it's time for some of us to rest, but not too much, because next season we'll be back in the fight... Thanks to all of you.  

Eighth and final round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship, which returned to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, where the second round was held back in May. Here in Cheste, the FIM Junior class will race two rounds tomorrow, while Moto2 and the Talent Cup will close the season with a single race.

With perfect weather conditions to ride, after yesterday’s free practice sessions the AGR Team riders have held today the qualifyings that have shaped the starting grids for tomorrow, Sunday. And it is one of our AGR riders who will start tomorrow leading one of them, the Junior GP, where Veijer has repeated pole with the lap time set in the first qualifying session.

FIM Junior GP

Our rider once again showed the excellent form with which he has reached the last part of the season. Today Colin set pole position again - his third this year - after perfectly controlling the times in the two qualifying sessions held today. Knowing that they have a good pace - as was evident during yesterday's free practice - the team managed the times of the sessions very well, especially the first one. Our rider from the Netherlands was calm throughout the day and will face tomorrow's race with the peace of mind that comes from knowing he is ready to fight for the victory.

Colin Veijer   Pole

"In the first qualifying session we stayed a long time inside the box because yesterday in the free sessions I had done a good pace and we knew that the other riders would try to follow me. We went out, did one lap and came back in. When we came back out I did a good time and the pace was also good, even on my own. In the second session we went out with new tires and I was able to do the same times, with a 40.0 pace. Very happy about this for tomorrow's race as well. In the second part of the session we put on new tires, but I didn't give the maximum because a lot of riders stuck to my wheel. On the last lap I found myself in the middle of a group, but finally I set the pole again."

Cormac Buchanan   P16

“Today was a bit of a difficult day. Me ha llevado un tiempo acostumbrarme a la nueva puesta a punto de la moto. Pero una vez que la he entendido hemos dado unos cuantos pasos adelante. En los últimos momentos de la primera sesión comenzamos a mejorar bastante nuestros tiempos así como mis sensaciones sobre la moto. Desgraciadamente, con la dinámica que se da en las sesiones de calificación en Moto3 perdimos algunas posiciones. De todas formas P14 no fue tan mal. En la segunda sesión las sensaciones estaban ahí desde el primer momento. Al final, cuando íbamos a usar el neumático nuevo y yo me sentía mejor que a lo largo de todo el fin de semana, de nuevo me encontré con un piloto en pista que me abortó mi posible vuelta buena. De cualquier manera, en general estoy contento conmigo mismo, con la moto y estoy seguro que mañana haremos una buena carrera.”

Torin Collins   P25

"Overall today went well. Grid position isn't great. I think tomorrow at the level I'm at there will be a big group and hopefully there will be some good battles. I'm looking forward to it. Today showed the work we've done throughout the year and it's by far my best day. Not in terms of position, but in terms of the gap to Colin, the poleman. I'm not happy, but I'm satisfied."

Moto2

While Sam Wilford continues his re-entry process after months absent, Mattia Volpi is getting used to the category he joined three races ago. Today our Italian rider suffered a heavy fall in the second session in which he hit his right ankle. This evening it showed a strong inflammation but as Mattia himself explains, he hopes that it will not be an obstacle to be able to start tomorrow's race. 

Mattia Volpi P12

"In the first qualifying session we made a good step forward, improving a second and a half from my best time yesterday in free practice. And the best thing is that things went easy for us. In the second session we went out to set a slightly higher pace, but unfortunately I crashed quite hard. I hope to be able to start the race tomorrow."

Sam Wilford   P13

“I managed to set my fastest time so far in Valencia in qualifying so I’m happy to improve. It’s more difficult this weekend as I was injured in the second race of the season but I think we can have a strong race tomorrow!”

European Talent Cup

Good qualifying day by our Australian Talent rider, although a penalty for riding too slow during one of the sessions caused him to be penalized. However, Carter hopes to fight for podium positions tomorrow.

Carter James Thompson

"I felt good today. I was decently fast; P4 in my session. I felt comfortable with the track, I felt comfortable on the bike, so it was just a matter of putting it all together and putting in a good lap. I got it done and it put us right up there where we finished. It didn't go badly, although unfortunately I made a mistake, I rode too slow on one lap, so I got a penalty that will relegate me a few positions on the grid.  But I think I have a good pace, I hope I can open up and fight in the race with the front guys. Tango confidence, things should go well."

From the AGR team we want to announce that Cormac Buchanan will continue to be part of our team next year 2023 in the Junior GP category. The young New Zealand talent will continue to expand his professional growth taking part from the beginning in the Junior GP category, of which he already has some experience after his step forward in Portimao and the rest of the season.

We are very happy to be able to continue with Buchanan for another year due to his vast talent and his involvement with the team. We will continue to grow together and reap the rewards of his talent next year. 

Cormac Buchanan: 

"My goal for next season is to be in a position where we are fighting for race wins, podiums and the championship. The package that AGR has given me is one of the best and I feel very confident on the bike and with the team around me. Aragon was probably the first time in my career where I really stopped and reflected on what I have achieved, and it really made me proud. Our goal is definitely to keep climbing from here and that bodes well for the year ahead"

Anscari Nadal

"It is a pleasure to be able to continue working with Cormac for another year, he is a great rider and I am sure he will give us a lot of joy next year. He is a very hard-working rider and has a gift for riding a motorbike. He started in the European Talent Cup category and in Portimao he made the jump to the Junior GP, in a few races we managed to get a front row and his first top ten in Aragon. It's a great rider with a great family and I hope to do great things with him before he makes the jump to the world championship".

Intense and very positive Sunday racing for the AGR Team at Motorland, where the penultimate round of the FIM Junior GP World Championship was held today. 

The day has been intense, as both Moto2 and Talent Cup have run two races, while the intensity in Junior GP came from the hand of Colin Veijer, who confirmed his pole yesterday with a convincing victory. He led the race from start to finish, showing total superiority. Remember that this is Colin's second victory this season, after the one he got in Jerez.

Good sensations have also left Cormac Buchanan, who, starting from the first row  signed in Motorland his first top 10; Mattia Volpi with a good first race in Moto2; and the return of Sam Wilford in his return to the circuits after the serious injury that kept him months away from the circuits. Special mention for Carter Thompson who with two good races obtained his two best results of the season. 

As you can see, a good weekend for AGR Team, which has left Alcañiz with the motivation sky high waiting for the race that will close the FIM Junior GP 2022 World Championship in Valencia next October 30. 

Junior GP

Colin Veijer, Winner 

Cormac Buchanan, P9

Torin Collins, P23

Impeccable race from Colin, in which he led from the beginning. He imposed his rhythm, which meant that none of his rivals could overtake him at any time. It was one of those perfect victories, from start to finish. 

Cormac had a bit more trouble than his teammate: he lost the slipstream of the first and second group, which left him riding alone. He crossed the finish line ninth, his first top 10 in the category. 

Torin Collins has been in his line. He set his own pace and kept a hand to hand with the Japanese rider Uchiumi, whom he beat on the finish line.

Colin Veijer: “It has been one of the best races in my career. I felt great from the very beginning and I did ride at a high pace all the race. More or less I led the whole race. Alonso overtook me once, but I got on the front almost immediately. Yeah, I felt really strong today and I’m happy for me and for my team for this result. We worked hard all weekend to get here.”   

Cormac Buchanan: “Today’s race was a big learning experience today. I was quite nervous starting from the first row for the first time in the World Championship. I Was very nervous, but as we got close to the lights out for the race start I was quite confident that we could do a good race. In the first laps I mantined my position, third. I was looking to make a pass to go second behind Colin, but I had a big moment on turn 2 on lap 2, which cost me a lot of time. And from there we kind of struggled with the rear tire trying to stop sliding. We had a lot of moments. To add to this a rider crashed in front of me, which broke the group we were in. I tried to push to try to get back in that group, unfortunately I was not able to do it. There was no reason to push hard and risk a crash and lose the points. At the end I took P9 which are my first points of the season and my first top 10 ever in Europe. So it has been a great weekend. We made such a big step this weekend from not even being inside the top 15 to being fighting for pole and podium in the races. I’m very excited for the next round and for next season. 

I also would like to add that this weekend we made history by having a New Zealand rider on the front row of the Juinio World Championship. I’m incredibly proud of that and determined to repeat. Full credit to my crew javi, Sergi, Johnny and Fran, along with coach Angel and the whole AGR team for helping me achieve my first top 10 finish racing in Europe. It’s a weekend I’ll remember.” 

Torin Collins: “The race has been quite disappointing for me. I was hoping to be in a big group and have a good battle but I didn’t have a very good start and I was pushed wide. After that I got in a battle with another rider and struggled to overtake him. We batted until the end but we lost the group. I ended up eating him but it is not where we want to be. I’m ready for Valencia where I hope to do better.”

Moto 2

Race 1 

Mattia Volpi, P8

Sam Willford, P13

Good race of Mattia Volpi, who confirmed yesterday's good performance in practice. After the start he joined a good group in which he fought with intensity. Our Italian rider finally entered eighth at the finish line. In the case of Sam, logically he felt the lack of rhythm in the race after so many months without getting on the bike. In the last stages he slowed down a bit as a result of having his arms already very loaded. 

Race 2

Sam Willford, P7

Mattia Volpi, DNF

After his good performance in the first race, Volpi started the second race on adrenaline. An excess of motivation led him to the ground before the fourth lap when he was riding in the leading group. Sam, on the other hand, managed to manage his strength better than in the first race, not only keeping the pace but also catching up with the group in front. He came in seventh, making it the best result of the weekend for our Moto2 riders. A very positive lap from Sam that makes the whole team very happy.  

Mattia Volpi: “In the first race I made a mistake at the start. In the first lap I was P16 so I had to catch up. I kept overtaking riders the whole race. My last overtake was in the last lap and it made me finish P8. In the second race I made a good start. I was already P7 in the first lap. I was really pushing hard. On lap 3 my time was the same as Tulovic, who was leading the race. When I arrived on the back of the riders who were in fourth and third position I crashed. It’s a shame, but we have seen that already in our second Moto2 race we have been able to fight for the victory… We will do very well in Valencia.”

Sam Willford: “We did two strong races after a difficult qualifying. But I'm happy to have improved from race 1 to race 2 and close the gap to where we wanted to be. Now I will continue training and prepare for Valencia to hopefully make another step in the right direction.” 

European Talent Cup

Race 1

Carter Thopmson, P7

A good race for Carter, who started from tenth position on the grid and caught up with the second group, finishing the race very close to the group of riders who were fighting for the victory. He finally crossed the finish line in seventh position.

Race 2

Carter Thompson, P6

The script was repeated. Our Australian rider could not prevent the fastest riders from escaping from him, so he spent the whole race in the second group. In the end he beat all his fellow riders, finishing sixth. 

Carter Thompson: "Today’s races were good. Got some solid points. I’m happy with their results despite not getting the best of the starts. But I was able to fight through to the second group, but by then the gap with the first group was too big. But overall I’m happy.”

Seventh and penultimate round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship, which this time traveled to the Motorland circuit in Alcañiz, where with perfect weather today were held the practice sessions that have configured the starting grids for tomorrow. 

Before going into the details of how the day went for our riders, we want to share the fantastic news of the return of Sam Wilford. After a serious accident at Estoril during the first race of the championship last May, Sam has gone through a long and very hard recovery, in which he has shown courage and determination that has made the whole AGR Team feel proud to have him in our ranks... With Sam back, the AGR family is again complete.

Junior GP

Important day for our Moto3 riders, where Colin Veijer will start tomorrow from pole position after setting the best time in QP1. Next to him will be on the front row the Colombian David Alonso and our Cormac Buchanan, despite crashing hard in QP1 at turn #7. 

Cormac was taken to the clinic after the crash, due to some pain in his back. But the doctors found nothing more than the contusion. There is nothing to prevent him from lining up on the front row of the grid tomorrow.

Back to Colin, our rider from the Netherlands has been calm and confident in the two days we have been riding at Motorland, and the lap times are coming out with "ease".

As for our third rider in the category, Torin Collins, he continues with his learning process, as evidenced by the step forward taken between QP1 and QP2.

Colin Veijer, Pole

"It went well. On the first start we went out looking for a good feeling and it went well. On the second start we put a new tire on the bike. I was riding on the track hoping to get it free. I let a group pass and that was a reference for me. It also helped me to take advantage of the slipstream on the straightaway, and all this helped me to set a good time. In QP2 we basically stayed on the sidelines to see what would happen. We put a new tire back on and I was on a fast lap, but in the last sector I had a little problem with the bike. But the important thing is that we started from pole. Let's see what happens tomorrow.”

Cormac Buchanan, P3

“Today was very good. First session was not so nice as I had a crash really early in the session which caused a lot of pain in my neck. So we decided to wait to go back on track to the end of the session. We were able to do a good lap alone which put us on P15. In QP2 we started alone and put together a really good pace. In our last stint I was not able to get any slipstream on the straight, but I was able to do 1.58.6 which put me on the front row. I’m very happy about that.”  

Torin Collins, P28

“Today things didn’t go as planned. I was hoping to have a really good qualifying but I was a little bit unlucky and I wasn’t able to get the time I wanted. Still I feel confident I can have a good race and I’m ready for tomorrow.” 

Moto 2

Second race for Mattia Volpi with the Moto2, in which he is showing so far himself much more adapted to his new bike than in Portimao. The 1'54.532 set in QP2 will allow him to start tomorrow from the third line of the grid, ahead of many riders with much more experience than him on a Moto2.

As for Sam Wilford, 14th best time out of 36 riders on his return to competition. As always Sam gave his all, as was evident when he crashed in turn #3 without suffering any physical consequences. 

It will be interesting to see what our two riders will do tomorrow in the race, since on paper both Mattia and Sam lack race pace... But who knows.

Mattia Volpi, P9

"The day has been good because we made another step forward, both riding alone and in traffic. We set a good time in the first session that we were able to improve in the second. My grid position is the best ever here in the FIM. Let's hope to make a good start and see what happens."

Sam Wilford, P14

“Difficult qualifying after crash in Q1. Hopefully tomorrow we can improve starting from 14th on the grid.” 

European Talent Cup

Our Talent rider, Carter Thompson has done the tenth best time. From what he showed in today's practice, if he can make a good start he can get into the front group, because he has the pace to ride there.

Carter Thompson, P10 

“Today was good, I improved my time each session, so it’s good. I start P10, so it should be a good race tomorrow, I should be fighting in the front.”

The FIM JuniorGP World Championship traveled to Italy for its sixth event of the season. An occasion that allowed our riders to share the weekend, the paddock and the circuit with the riders of the World Championship, and at the same time to be watched by their idols.

After the practice on the demanding Marco Simoncelli track, Collin Veijer managed to get into the second row of the grid after setting the sixth fastest time. Cormac Buchanan was three rows back, while Torin Collins was relegated to the last position on the grid after being penalized for irresponsible riding after slowing down too much in practice.

Our three riders were very motivated going into the race. Vejer made a good start and caught up with the group that was fighting for the victory. Despite some problems to stop the bike, he got to ride in third position. Repeating the podium he achieved in Jerez seemed possible, but a mechanical breakdown on the ninth lap, frustrating Colin's expectations and those of the whole team. As is easy to imagine, the young Dutch felt very disappointed.

Cormac's expectations were not met either, as he already felt problems with his engine on the warm-up lap. The team tried to fix it on the grid, but it was not possible. Technically weakened, Buchanan did what he could, finally finishing 21st. From the team we appreciate the fact that, despite his logical frustration - he was aiming for a top 10 - he brought his bike to the garage, showing respect for the work of the technicians and mechanics.

As for Torin, his race was totally conditioned by his position on the grid. As always he gave his all in the race and after some mistakes he finished 22nd, just behind his teammate.

Certainly the results obtained in Misano have not been as expected, but as Anscari Nadal, owner of the AGR Team, says very well: “Sometimes the mistakes are made by the riders, sometimes by the team, and this time it has been the time of mechanical failures for which none of the two previous parties are responsible.”... That's racing. 

Collin Veijer   -  DNF

“After the start of the race it was already quite difficult because I had problems to feel the grip. I felt that I had problems stopping the bike, but finally I made it into the group although it was impossible for me to overtake on the brakes. At the end I made it but then the bike broke again. I opened the throttle and I felt “click” and nothing happened. My team has explained me that the gearbox output shaft broke, a completely unusual failure. It’s a shame because the race was going pretty good, but…”

Cormac Buchanan   -  21st

“I was feelin great going into the race. Everything was going perfect for me. But already in the warm-up lap I felt something strange with the bike. My team tried to fix it. It is something related to the power issue. I started the race trying to enter with a clear head, I tried to push my best. I got a good launch, a make up a place into turn 1, but once we got into the first straight the bike was so slow. From then I tried my best and stay in the group I was in but with 20 K slower on the straight… I’m really frustrated because we were aiming for a top 10. I had never felt so good on the bike. It’s a shame because today we had a lot of potential. I’m frustrated and upset because we all worked so hard for this race, me, my family, everyone. It has prevented us to do a good result."

Torin Collins  -  22nd

“The race was difficult because I was starting from last place due to a penalty. In the first few laps I was able to get up from 32nd to 24th. I was with the group and everything was going pretty good, but when I was battling I made a mistake and dropped off. And without the slipstream my times start to dropping ands i lost contact with the group. Having raced here in Misano has been a great experience. I love this track.”

Junior GP

Getting caught up in the second group in the early stages of the race meant that Veijer did not reap the rewards of the pace he had shown in the race. The Dutch rider finished 9th, which meant 7 more points in the provisional championship standings, where he is in 10th position.  

Cormac Buchanan also paid for a bad start and subsequent collisions with other riders. From that moment on he was forced to catch up. Torin Collins had the weakest race of our three Junior GP riders, as evidenced that he was not able to do yesterday's lap times. 

Collin Veijer... P9

"The race was a difficult race. After the start I think I was in P10 and riding in the second group. From the second half of the race I didn't feel comfortable with the bike. At the end P9 after some riders were penalized. It wasn't the result I wanted."

Cormac Buchanan... P19

"I got a good start from the grid, but unfortunately some riders crossed in front of me and touched me, which led to me going wide in Turn 1. Then another rider took me off the circuit at turn 3. I rejoined the race dead last, 5 seconds behind the group in front of me. I managed to catch up, but once there, I was taken off the track again. I had to come back again with the goal of finishing in the points but I didn’t make it. It was a good race considering it was my first time in Junior GP, although obviously the result was not what I expected. I keep how much I learned this weekend."

Torin Collins... P21

"Despite the problems in the warm up in the morning, where I was hit and my bike damaged. A handlebar got  bent. In the race I made a good start, gained a few positions, but with the bent handlebar I didn't have the necessary confidence. In spite of this I had some good fights and ended up beating the riders of the group I was in. I ended up finishing 21st. Despite these problems, I think it was a good day."

Moto2

Points for Mattia in his first race on a Moto2 bike. He did good lap times, which would have allowed him to be with the front group if he had started better. He did ‘less well’ in the second race as he suffered a spectacular high side. Fortunately the spectacular crash had no physical consequences for our Italian rider. 

Mattia Volpi... Race 1 P15 / Race 2 DNF

"In the first race we had a bit of a bad start. You have to take into account that it was my first race start in this category. From then on I made up positions, improving By one second my fastest lap from yesterday's qualifying. We finished in P15. 

In the second race the start was already better, I recovered some positions. But in turn 5 a rider touched me from behind and I flew. Fortunately there were no particularly serious physical consequences. I want to apologize to the team because they have worked hard this weekend."

European Talent Cup

Bad start and good pace in the first laps is the sequence of Carter Thompson's race in Portimao. A pity because he could perfectly have fought in the leading group.

Carter Thompson... P12

"The day was okay, but it wasn't one of the best. After the first start the race was red flagged because of a crash in Turn 5. I was in a good position, which made me angry. My second start was not good. I think on the first lap I was P17. From there I had to recover and I got to the back of the group in front, but I was not able to overtake. It makes me angry. The positive thing is that in the race I did my best time of the weekend. I scored some points for the championship, which is also positive. In any case, I hope for more in the next race."

The FIM JuniorGP World Championship has chosen the ‘Autodromo do Algarve’ as the venue for its fifth race weekend. Tomorrow two races will be held there in the Moto2 category, one in the JuniorGP and one in HETC, with Team AGR riders present in all three categories.

The strong heat, expected in the south of Portugal at this time of the year, is one of the protagonists of the weekend, subjecting the riders to considerable physical effort. The other protagonists are the strong wind and the exceptional and unique layout of the Portuguese circuit.

JuniorGP

Collin Veijer, our winner of one of the races of the previous appointment, has missed doing a good lap, otherwise he has performed well. Cormac has done his homework considering it was his first time in the category: good lap times and as always with him, a positive attitude. As for Torin, he dropped a second and a half from yesterday to today, and we hope that tomorrow he will be able to ride in the intermediate group.  

Collin Veijer... 12º

“Not bad. First qualifying was not perfect as I couldn’t make a clean lap; P9 in that first one. Unfortunately I used all the new tires so I had no new one for the second qualifying. So I had no grip and finally I lost two positions, which means that I will start P12. We will see what we can do tomorrow.”

Cormac Buchanan... 19º

"I'm very happy with today. In the first session we had a mechanical incident, which complicated the start of the day. But in the second session we managed to get a P18, which I was quite happy with, especially considering it was my first qualifying on this bike. The wind was a factor that bothered quite a bit throughout the day. On used tires we don't have the pace, we're having problems there. On my last run out on track we put new tire on and I was feeling pretty comfortable, but unfortunately I ran into a few riders on my fast lap. Anyway, I'm confident we'll have a good race tomorrow; my goal is to fight to get into the points."

Torin Collins... 28º

"In Q1 I dropped another second, so that's part of it went very well, but the position is not fantastic. But I'm happy with our progression. Q2 was quite complicated because the group was a mess. In the end I did my fastest lap alone, doing the same time as in Q1: the conditions were much more difficult. I don't know in which position I will finally start, I think 28th. It's not where we wanted to be in practice, but I'm confident that tomorrow I can gain some positions."

Moto2

In his debut in Moto2, Mattia is following the logical process, that is to say, improving every time he goes out on track. In the end he has done a "decent" time, and from the team we hope that tomorrow he will make another step forward.

Mattia Volpi... 23º

"Today we made another big step forward in qualifying. We keep working because we can be fast also tomorrow in both races. It will be crazy because there will be a lot of laps, but we will do well for sure."

European Talent Cup

After the two crashes he suffered yesterday, Carter has logically started today with more caution. But as the day progressed he gained confidence, finishing sixth in his qualifying group.

Carter Thompson…11º

"The day started well with a good feeling on the bike. I felt like I could do pretty well, but in Q2 the temperature of the asphalt and the wind increased, which prevented me from improving. I finished P6 of my group. Tomorrow in the race we should be able to fight in the front group."

Great first race by Colin Veijer, in which the Dutch rider confirmed the good sensations in practice by climbing on to the top of the podium. He had the race under control at all times. In the last lap things got a bit complicated for him, but he was able to solve it with a lot of solidity. Good for Colin and the whole team. In the second race Colin suffered a technical problem and was taken off the track on the last lap, which prevented him from fighting for the podium positions. 

As for Volpi, it was a difficult race for the Italian rider, while Collins continued his upward trend shown all weekend. If yesterday he improved his fastest lap by more than a second compared to the previous day, today in the race he dropped a second off yesterday's time. He fought in a quite interesting group and was able to recover from a mistake and get back in contact with the group. In the second race, with much more heat than in the first one, he struggled a bit more. But the balance of the Canadian rider's weekend is undoubtedly positive. 

Colin Veijer... Race 1, first / Race 2, 11th

"The race went well, I felt very confident. The last lap was a bit complicated. I knew they were coming for me in turn 6. I tried to close the path, but Rueda passed me. He went a bit long and I tried to give it back to him, but I touched Alonso. We both went wide and we also forced Rueda to go wide. From then until the last corner I pushed with everything I had. I arrived first at the braking of the last corner and won the race. Obviously I am very happy. 

My second race was more difficult because I had no rear brake and this made me go wide in almost every corner. On the final lap I tried a different move, but I went wide, even out of the track. Finally I crossed the finish line P12… But I’m happy with my performance this weekend and obviously having given my team a victory.”

Torin Collins... Race 1, 22nd / Race 2, 21st 

"Today was quite positive. In the first race I got a good start and was able to link up with some fast riders, which was good for me to keep learning. I was also involved in an incident that took me off course, causing me to lose contact with the group. 

In the second race, with more heat, I had more difficulties, but in the end I had a good fight with another rider who beat me by 0.02s. I am very happy with this weekend. We will be there soon".

Mattia Volpi... Race 1, 24th / Race 2, 22nd

"Today didn't go as we expected, but we gave our maximum. With the engine change between the first and second race we were able to be closer to the front. However, as the laps went by, the engine's performance dropped. Now we have to train hard for the race in Portimao where I hope things will go better for us". 

European Talent Cup… Positive sensations despite unexpected results

As for the "little ones", in the first race both Buchanan and Thompson fell asleep in the group they were in, which caused the group in front to escape. It is clear that they need to work with them on the situation of riding in a group, as it is difficult for them to overtake and improve positions.

In the second race, Thompson came out with more enthusiasm and a good start allowed him to get into the front group. He was fighting the whole race. On the last lap he was dropped when he was fighting for the podium. Buchanan on the other hand, the same thing happened to him as in the first race. He got stuck in the second group and did not manage to improve positions.

Carter William James Thompson... Race 1, 18th / Race 2, DNF

“Today was not a bad day but not the best day either in race one I made a bad start and found it very hard to try to push back through. Race two I got a better start and was pushing through making overtakes until a few laps in me and another rider came together which caused me to drop back to p18 but made my way but up to fight for the podium but unfortunately crashed on the last lap but I was feeling good with the bike and was able to fight for the podium”.

Cormac Buchanan... Race 1, DNF / Race 2, 21st

"Today was a difficult day that didn't go as I expected. In the warm up we changed a few things on the bike that went really well and gave me a lot of confidence going into the race. In the first race I had a very good start, I gained some positions, but I made a mistake being more aware of the riders around me than my riding. I ended up crashing trying to recover the positions I had lost.

In the second race I had a very good pace, but I got caught in the group behind. Every time I tried to escape, they were all over me. This cost me a lot of time and also trying to overtake one of the riders I went long, leaving me last. I managed to get back to the group in one lap. In the end we didn't get the result I know we could have achieved, but this weekend has served to strengthen the relationship with the team. I can't wait to go to Portimao”. 

Fourth round of the FIM Junior World Championship, which this time has traveled to the Jerez circuit. And that in July means unequivocally adding intense heat to the challenge the riders have to face. This has been particularly high today, conditioning the performance of the riders in the afternoon sessions.

JuniorGP... Colin Veijer, a contender for everything

With an almost perfect lap Colin Veijer gave the AGR Team and himself the first pole position of the season. The Dutch rider also showed a good pace, so the expectations for a good result in tomorrow's race are high.

Torin Collins continues to follow the planned schedule, i.e. accumulating experience and taking steps forward. From yesterday to today, the Canadian rider's lap times have improved by more than a second; the gap between him and the riders in front of him is getting smaller and smaller.

As for Mattia Volpi, the lack of feeling on the bike has prevented him from performing at his level. The team will work with him this afternoon/evening to try to give the Italian a bike with which he feels better in the race.

Colin Veijer... Pole

"In the first qualifying run we went out I already felt comfortable. I ended up confident despite not having been able to be faster because in the last sector I was blocked by another rider. And I was right, because on the last lap I found a good tow that allowed me to take the pole. In the second qualifying session the wind picked up and made us go slower than in the previous stint. Having already set a good lap time I didn't want to take any risk to avoid any stupid incident. Obviously I'm happy and very confident for tomorrow".

Torin Colins... 27º

"In Q1 I improved a lot compared to yesterday, lapping 1.2s faster than Friday's times. The progress is quite positive; the position not so much. It's not where we wanted to be but we're definitely going in the right direction. In Q2 I had a problem with the engine. I could only complete three laps. But tomorrow we will be strong and fight from the start."

Mattia Volpi... 28º 

“Today we had a difficult day. We had some problems with the bike. But in the end it's tomorrow that counts, we have two races to have fun and come back."

European Talent Cup

Our two riders lacked today that fast lap that would have qualified them better for the grid, but it was not a bad day. In Q2 Cormac Buchanan and Carter William James Thompson finished fifth and sixth respectively; tomorrow they will start from 12th and 18th positions. They both have enough pace and are not far from the front, so with a good start they can both think of a good race.

Cormac Buchanan... 12º

"My mixed feelings on qualifying today. I'm happy but I know I could have done better. I just didn't have a clear lap to give it my all. I had the pace to fight for the top positions. My goal for the race is to get into the front group and keep scoring points."

Carter William James Thompson... 18º

"Today was not the best day. I expected more, but overall it was good. I learned a lot today and I hope to have a good race tomorrow. My goal is to get into the top five, and why not the podium."

This weekend at Montmeló was held the second round of the FIM Junior 2022, of which two races were run; the Talent Cup, on the other hand, contested only one race. The strong heat was the prevailing trend throughout the weekend, conditions that have tested the physical condition of the riders.  

In Catalonia, fortune was mixed for our three Junior GP riders. Collin Veijer, the spearhead of the AGR Team in this category, completed a good first race, in which he climbed up to the seventh position, which meant 9 more points for the championship. In the second race he was involved in an incident in the early stages that left him out of the race. Volpi suffered the same fate in his two starts on Sunday. 

Our Italian rider gave a lot of work to our mechanics this Sunday, who must be mentioned especially for the impeccable work of "reconstruction" of Mattia’s bike in the short time between the two races. Finally, a positive weekend for Torin Collins, who left Barcelona with the feeling that he has made a good step forward.

In ETC the result was below what was expected after the good qualifying sessions performed by our twoyoung  riders. 

FIM JUNIOR GP

Collin Veijer

Race 1, seventh

Race 2, DNF

"In the first part of the first race it was a bit tricky to make my way through the pack. But once I got in front I was able to set my own pace, which allowed me to catch Alonso and Voight. I overtook Alonso and tried to get to Voight, but some riders took advantage of my slipstream to pass me on the last lap.

My second race ended on the fifth lap due to my own mistake. I braked where I always do, but the rider in front of me passed me and moved into the turn. I pulled the brakes to stop the bike, but in the maneuver the rear wheel lifted up and when it hit the ground again, it hit it sideways and the bike sent me into the air. Unfortunately I hit the other rider. I feel sorry for him and hope things go better in the next race."

Torin Collins

Race 1, 21st

Race 2, 21st

"Today went well, although it was difficult. In the first race I had a pretty good start and got into a good group. I fought throughout the race and in the end I finished in a good position for me. 

In the second race I had a very, very bad start. I didn't feel comfortable at any time, but in the end I finished in the same position as in the first race. Overall, it was a good weekend in which I clearly took a step forward". 

Mattia Volpi

Race 1, DNF

Race 2, DNF

"In the first race I had a normal start, but on the first lap in turn 9, one of those riders who intend to win races on the first lap, touched me. I was last on the first lap. I started to push  hard to try catch the riders in front of me. In fact in that phase of the race I set a 1.50'1, the eighth fastest time of the whole race. When I left behind that group I tried to push again to get closer to those in front of me, but I crashed with a high side in turn #12.

In the second race we had a better start. I was in the points group. For five or six laps I was controlling everything. From then on I started to push and push, and I was overtaking riders. I was in P8, and after a few laps I opened up half a second gap. To avoid to get caught on the straight  pushed too hard and lost the front end. 

I want to apologize to the team because today I crashed twice because of me. The good thing is that we rode very, very fast and we showed that we can be at the front. It was also clear that we managed to solve the problems we had in Valencia. I'm already looking forward to Jerez.”

European Talent Cup / ETC

Cormac Buchanan 15th

"I'm happy with today's race but at the same time a little disappointed because on the first lap I was P28, which obviously wasn't an ideal position. From there I worked my way through the pack. I had a very, very good pace. I actually set the third fastest lap of the race. Unfortunately I got stuck behind some slower riders. When I overtook them I tried to catch  the guys in front of me. In the last two laps I cut them off by 1.8 seconds, but I ran out of laps. I keep my first point in the championship, something that gives me satisfaction and motivates me for the next race."

Carter W.J. Thompson 14th

"The day didn't go the way I wanted it to. In the race I didn't feel comfortable on the bike, so I wasn't able to ride as hard as I would have liked. It's disappointing, but things just came out that way. I finished P16, which is not the best position. Hopefully in Jerez things will go better."

After three days of testing in Montmeló, our riders will start tomorrow's third round of the Junior GP with a good feeling. The strong heat has been the protagonist in today's two sessions -qualifying sessions for the starting grid-, making it difficult to lower  in the afternoon. 

FIM Junior GP

Our three riders in the ultra-competitive FIM Junior category, where 36 riders of 17 different nationalities will line up tomorrow, are ready. Veijer has improved his lap times, which is what he was missing in the previous races; Mattia struggled in the first session, but in the second one he was able to get the time out despite the conditions being much more difficult; as for Torin, he has clearly shown progress compared to the previous races, which should basically be his goal now.  

12th Colin Veijer

Colin will start from the fourth row of the grid, confident that he can have a good race and continue to score points in the championship. 

"Today went quite well for us, in QP1 we started a bit later because no one wanted to go out on track. We finally managed to do a lap. Then we came in, put on new tires and went out and gave it all. My feeling on the bike was perfect, and finally I managed to do a decent time, P11. In the afternoon session it was a bit more difficult; in the end I will start P12. I'm happy". 

24th Mattia Volpi

For Mattia the grid position is misleading. As he himself admits, he has the pace to be at the front. The problem is the 23 riders who will start ahead of him. It will be a difficult race for sure. 

"This morning we didn't find the lap because the attitude of the people on the track was... let's say, stupid. But the bike was fine, the set-up was perfect. In the afternoon the track was more difficult and it was very difficult to improve. We did the same time as in the morning riding alone. Okay, we start tomorrow pretty far back, but I’m confident that tomorrow we can do very well".

26th Torin Collins

A complicated day for our Canadian rider, who was the victim of mechanical problems in the afternoon timed session. It prevented him from improving his morning lap times, but far from getting discouraged, Torin is looking forward to tomorrow to get rid of the bad taste. 

"A difficult day. In the morning I was improving my times steadily, but the position is not good. In the afternoon I had a mechanical problem with my bike and I could hardly do a lap. I do start at the back, but I'm sure I'll work my way up." 

Hawkers ETC

Our two riders worked very well. Both Carter and Cormac are very close to the leading times and have very good race pace. 

9th Carter W.J. Thompson

Third row for Carter who was just over three tenths off pole. From what he showed in practice, the young Australian rider can aim for a top result tomorrow.

"The day went pretty well. In the afternoon I tried to improve on my fast lap, but didn't get it done. Anyway, like I said, I consider it a good day. The pace we have should be good for the race. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

13th Cormac Buchanan

Will start on the grid just behind his teammate. Cormac finished the day very confident and convinced that he can race with the front group tomorrow. 

"Today was a very good day. My fastest lap I did on my own and I also have good pace and consistency. We're not far from the front group, so I'm very confident I can make the race at the front. I need to make a good start." 

The AGR Team riders completed a complicated weekend during the second round of the FIM Junior GP at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia. In the Junior GP category, Colin Veijer finished the first race in 14th place, but was unable to finish the second after suffering a mechanical failure on the penultimate lap. Torin Collins took another step forward during the first race after once again climbing places and reaching the 22nd position, the Canadian rider did not complete the last race after making a mistake at the start that led him to start from the pit lane and he made the decision to retire with his mind set on the next race. Mattia Volpi continues his upward projection on the track, after a good half of the first race he made the decision to retire. He completed the day climbing to 17th position in the second race.

In the European Talent Cup, Carther Thompson continues his progression, managing to be in the points in both races of the day, despite the penalty imposed. During the first race, Thompson managed to climb back to 13th position, interrupted due to a red flag. In the second race the young Australian driver stood out again finishing in 15th place, showing a great race pace in both.

Collin Veijer: “The first race was not bad. The start wasn't perfect, the first few laps I focused on finding my place. We were able to have a good race at the end and I was happy with what I got. In the second race, the start was not what I expected again, I tried to get close to the first ones from the head. In the last two laps, I suffered a mechanical failure and I couldn't finish the race”

Torin Collins: “Today was very difficult. In the first race I made a good start and I was able to put up some good fights. I made a mistake, I lost the group, but I was able to rejoin it and I was able to fight for a good position. In the second race, I made a mistake when stopping the bike on the grid and I had to start from the pit lane. I have decided not to continue and not finish the race. Next stop Montmeló!”

Mattia Volpi: “In the first race we had to retire in the middle because we didn't have the power or the rubber to finish the race. Then in the second race we made a good start and we got to position 13th, but on the second lap, at turn 1, a rider touched me and I went wide. In the end we made a comeback from 32nd position to 17th, riding at the pace of the top ten”

Carter Thompson: “The day has gone well. In the first race I had to comply with the penalties imposed on me, but I felt good and the pace was good. During the second race we expected more, but I have not been able to feel comfortable. We hope that the next race in Barcelona goes better!”

The AGR Team completed a difficult qualifying day in the second stage of the JuniorGP, marked by very high temperatures on the track. 

In the JuniorGP category, Mattia Volpi will start from 22nd position. The Italian rider completes a consistent qualifying day taking a step forward compared to the free practice days. Collin Veijer will start 23rd, finishing a tough day despite the advances of the young Dutch driver. During the course of the last session while progressing in his timed he suffered a fall without consequences that has made it impossible to complete the session. Torin Collins will start 30º and continues his adaptation to the category, with a notable advance over the last race. 

In the category of the European Talent Cup, the progression of the young driver, Carther Thompson, stands out, who will start from the tenth grid line after being sanctioned by race direction. On the other hand his team-mate, Cormac Buchanan, ends his participation in the Valencia event by not overcoming the race "Last Change" after a complicated start, despite the magnificent effort of our driver who climbed numerous places in a fantastic progression. In the absence of two laps the bike suffered a mechanical problem that reduced its performance, which undoubtedly prevented it from overcoming the cut. 

Mattia Volpi: "The day has gone better than yesterday because we have taken a step forward. We are quite close to the first but we have to make some modifications due to the heat to prepare for tomorrow’s race" 

Collin Veijer: "I am satisfied with my position, but of course I would like to be faster. The first classification was not perfect, I did not get a correct lap. In the second classification, we went with other drivers, which is not what I want, but we had to push. I’m not happy with today, but let’s fight for tomorrow."

Torin Collins: "It’s been a difficult day. I learned a lot but I suffered a little while riding with some riders during qualifying. I’m not disappointed but I hope to get better. I can't wait for tomorrow to give it all!"

Carther Thompson: "The day went quite well. QP1 was a good session where we were able to finish in eighth position. During QP2 we tried to make some changes but they did not work as expected. I am also very happy with today and I also want to thank the mechanics for all their work"

Cormac Buchanan: "Today was a tough day. We had to compete in the "last change" race, since the pole position gave me confidence. Unfortunately I had to start from behind. I managed to reach the race group but it was not enough".

In the Moto2 category, Sam Wilford successfully completed the first race of the day by climbing from the last place on the grid to 5th. During the second race the rider could not finish due to a heavy crash while riding in second place. Despite the huge impact on the protections, Wilford is stable. The dramatic accident ends with a broken arm and a broken tibia. From the AGR Team we send Sam all our support and wishes for a prompt recovery. We will continue to report on his evolution. 

In the Junior GP category, Mattia Volpi finished 23rd after completing the penalty imposed by race direction yesterday. Torin Collins finished 24th. The rider concludes a successfully weekend in his adaptation to the category. Collin Veijer did not participate on Sunday’s activities due to a knee injury after a crash he suffered yesterday. 

In the European Talent Cup category, Carter Thompson completed the first race exceptionally getting 8th place, while in the second race he finished 16th. Corman Buchanan finished a weekend of learning and adaptation to the category, completing his first race in 16th place and 20th in the second race, ready to continue his progress in Valencia. 

Mattia Volpi: "Today we had to start from last place and perform two long laps penalty. We lost nine seconds but despite everything we had the same rhythm as the top10 and we have recovered to position ourselves in the 23rd place. I’m looking forward to the next race in Valencia"

Cormac Buchanan: "Today was a difficult day for the team. We suffered a lot during the first race. During the second race we lost a lot in the straights and we had to work hard in the corners. I am very happy with the weekend. I can’t wait for Valencia!"

Carter Thompson: "My day has gone very well. We started the day very well positioned in the top ten front positions in the first race. The second race also went well but we can still improve in Valencia. I am very happy with the team’s work throughout the weekend."

Torin Collins: "Today was a difficult day. I learned a lot during the race but I suffered with the race pace. I am happy because I have learned a lot this weekend and I look forward to the next race in Valencia."

The entire AGR team, family, sponsors and friends wish a speedy recovery for our brave driver Sam Wilford. We hope to see him soon on track. 

In the JuniorGP category, Collin Veijer will start from 17th position. The young New Zealander completed both qualifying sessions adapting to his new mount. Despite suffering a crash  during the last session, the rider managed to finish within the top ten. Torin Collins continues to adapt within the category, engaging in both training sessions and daily learning, departing from the 29th position. Mattia Volpi ended a day with difficulties for the Italian rider due to the high number of yellow flags during qualifying sessions and the massing on the track. Volpi will start from last place after being admonished by race direction for rolling slowly in five sectors. 

Sam Wildford has completed the Moto2 qualifying day with remarkable success, finishing in the top ten in both sessions. Despite his hard work, the British driver will start tomorrow’s race in 30th place, after being sanctioned for rolling slow on the track. 

Finally in the category of the European Talent Cup, Carter Thompson successfully completed both qualifying sessions, achieving the fifth best record during the afternoon session. Despite a fall that has prevented him from improving his timed Thompson will start from 21th place on Sunday. Cormac Buchanan will leave from 26th place after a difficult day with several falls during the course of the day. 

Collins Veijer: "The first classification was challenging. We encountered a few problems, but we were able to resolve them." We tried several strategies throughout the day, I was riding with several drivers looking for a great time but I suffered a crash in the last minutes of the last session."

Torin Collin: "Today has been a difficult day for me and the team. We haven’t had any good luck today with some falls. I am happy with the progress I am making and I look forward to the race tomorrow"

Mattia Volpi: "During the first classification I had good feelings riding alone but we still lacked something with the new tire and we were hurt by the yellow flags. Even with the heat on the track during the second qualifying round, I had good feelings, but there were lots of drivers in the last corner. Tomorrow we will be last due to a penalty but we have rhythm and we will give the maximum tomorrow!"

Sam Wilford: “We had a good qualifying today in 8th position. I’m excited to see what is possible in the race as we have good race pace. Unfortunately we have a penalty for the first race but we will try our best!”

Carter Thompson: "It was okay, but I suffered a crash in the first classification in the last few laps. I tried to improve my time during the second session, but the track was too hot"

Cormac Buchanan: "It has been a difficult day for me. I have suffered several crashes in both sessions. But we didn’t have to compete in the Last Chance race so I’m happy. I look forward to the race tomorrow."

We are pleased to announce the arrival of the young New Zealander Cormac Buchanan who will compete in the European Talent Cup of the FIM JuniorGP Championship with AGR Team.

Cormac is 15 years old, he is also the current NZ Road Race 300cc Champion recruited by New Zealand motorcycling legend Josh Coppins. 2022 will be the second year in Europe for the kiwi where he will also contest the Red Bull Rookies Cup again.

"I am excited to be joining the AGR familiy and I believe the team will provide the expertise and professional envionment which is crucial to success"

Welcome to the family Cormac!

AGR Team is proud to announce the young Canadian rider Torin Collins for his line up in the 2022 FIM Junior GP Championship. 

Torin will compete in the Moto3 category for the first time and will be living in Barcelona.

2022 will be a learning year for the 16 years old rider from Calgary (Canada) but the target remains high. 

Welcome Torin!

We are pleased to announce the arrival of young Dutch rider Collin Veijer who will compete in the Moto3 category of the FIM JuniorGP Championship with the AGR Team. 

Collin is at 16 years old  one of the fastest riders from Holland, this past year he was very close to the podium in the Misano round by finishing in 4th position, we hope to see him on the podium in 2022 with our red bullet!

Welcome to the family!

Joel Kelso’s victory with an impressive comeback; starting from the penultimate place. AGR Team ends a weekend full of emotions with an epic victory that puts a finishing touch to the end of the season at the FIM CEV Repsol. 

In Moto3, our Australian rider finishes the final round of the championship, achieving a sensational victory, going back to victory and far surpassing his direct rivals. During the second race the young rider once again dazzled with a great start that allowed him to lead group, fighting for victory. Finally, Joel Kelso, with his third victory in the FIM CEV Repsol,  managed to take fourth place in the Moto3 category. 

Mattia Volpi continues with his evolution in the category of Moto3, finishing in the last positions, after going back some positions in the first laps and passing through the pits. During the second race he again climbed some positions, but despite the great efforts of our rider suffered a touch while fighting for the position relegated to the last place. Finally, our young driver managed to finish in the 20th position, getting his best result of the day. 

In the Moto2 category the Japanese rider Taiga Hada and Sam Wilford finished in sixth and seventh place respectively, in a race prematurely finished due to a red flag. Taiga Hada thus ends a full weekend, despite the weather conditions and closes the season with a podium in the last races. Wilford again achieved an excellent result forming a perfect duo with his teammate Hada. 

Joel Kelso: "I’m very happy with how the results went and how the whole team worked. Thank the team for giving me this great opportunity. It’s been amazing to get three wins this season. It’s a bit sad to have to leave the team but new challenges await me within the Moto3 world championship".

Mattia Volpi: "Today the important thing was to regain confidence. In race1 I had some difficulties with the bike and I was fighting for the p24 position with a pit stop. Race 2 I had a strong pace like the top10 but in the second lap I had a touch with a rider and I went p31. I made a comeback to p 20. Thanks to the team for the whole season’s help and let's enjoy next year!”

Taiga Hada: "The race has been difficult. I finished in sixth position, I have been giving my all to try to reach podium positions but it has not been possible. Thank the team for their effort throughout the season See you soon!" 

Sam Wilford: “I’m happy to finish my season 6th in the championship. I want to thank everyone that has made this year possible and I look forward to what the future holds in 2022!”

Anscari Nadal: "It has been a difficult weekend marked by low temperatures and changing climatic conditions. Taiga Hada and Sam Wildofrod have made a good race, although we have lacked a little more rhythm. Highlight the progression of Sam Wilford during this year, giving us many expectations for next year. Regarding the category of Moto3 a little disappointed with Mattia, who has not finished finding the sensations in rain adding two big falls that have diminished his performance, also like Kristian Daniel, who also had another fall this weekend. The positive part of the weekend was with Joel Kelso who got an epic race after starting from penultimate position. From AGR Team we want to thank you for all the achievements we have achieved together this season"

The AGR Team finishes a tough qualifying day in the last round  of the FIM CEV Repsol in the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. Today the riders are facing difficult conditions of intense rain during the course of the qualifier, with numerous interruptions on the track due to the red flags that have modified the course of the day. 

Joel Kelso and Mattia Volpi finished the day under heavy rain in both qualifying sessions. Transalpine rider Mattia Volpi will leave from the last row of the grid, occupying the thirty-first place after completing a hard day and suffering two falls in the course of the sessions. The australian rider Joel Kelso will sharespace with his team mate, finishing in 30th place. 

In the Moto2 category, stands out Sam Wildford who will leave from the third row on Sunday, after signing the eighth best record of the day. The British rider has completed a day with great efficiency despite the harsh weather conditions of the day. The Japanese rider Taiga Hada completes the day with the tenth place, after suffering during the QP1, culminating the day with good sensations after passing through the QP2, where he has scored the fifth best record of the afternoon qualifier. 

Kristian Daniel ends her participation in the FIM CEV Repsol after not finishing the qualifying race in the European Talent Cup category. The young American rider thus closes a weekend with numerous difficulties that have prevented him from giving his maximum. 

Mattia Volpi: “Today the condition was very difficult. In the QP1 I was doing a very good lap but I did a very big highside. In QP2 i've tried to do a few laps but I crashed in turn 4 on another highside and I was declared unfit. Tomorrow morning I will do the check. I hope to do both races”

Joel Kelso: "I am very disappointed with the result of the day, this is my worst classification in the FIM CEV Repsol with AGR. Today we made a mistake, we know where the problems are so the whole team and I are doing our best to solve them. Tomorrow we face the day with a clear mind. We face a challenge, we have to overcome twenty-nine to overtake.Let’s go for it!"

Sam Wildford: “I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow! I think we have pace in all conditions tomorrow to fight in the front. Whatever the conditions are tomorrow we will be fighting to finish the year on a high”

Taiga Hada: "It has been a complicated day with very intense rain throughout the qualifying. I felt good on the bike, becoming fifth during the second qualifying session. Tomorrow we face a hard race, I will start  from the tenth first position but we will fight for the front positions"

Kristian Daniel Jr: “We had a good weekend in Valencia. The conditions were different every day which made it challenging. A crash Friday made it a bit more difficult, but I pushed hard during the qualifying. Unfortunately I crashed during my best lap, and wasn't able to qualify for the race. I'm super happy with the work the team did, and I'm looking forward to training for next season”

We are pleased to announce the arrival of the young Australian talent Carter Thompson who will compete in the European Talent Cup with the AGR Team. Carter won the Motostars Australian Junior Road Racing Championship in 2019 and in 2020 won the R3 Cup, he was discovered by the ex-MotoGP rider Damian Cudlin in his rider training organization Motostars where he has been training until now getting ready to come to Europe.

The AGR Team finished the Italian round with a new victory for the team and Joel Kelso. The young rider achieved his second victory of the season after maintaining a firm lead from start to finish. 

Joel Kelso was unstoppable during the seventh round of the FIM CEV Repsol at the Misano Marco Simoncelli track. Starting from the third position, the rider managed to lead the header group from the first corner despite receiving a strong impact during the start. The Australian set the pace of the race from the first laps, maintaining a constant lead in the first ten laps. Kelso fought for podium positions during the final laps of the event. Without fainting the effort, the rider beat the rest managing to return and reach the first position. In the end, Joel Kelso added his second victory in his career, beating the current record for the fastest lap in the race (1:43.451) 

Mattia Volpi continues his traineeship in the Moto3 category, finishing in 26th place. The Italian rider continues to accumulate experience in competition after a relentless fight in the race, after being injured by a multiple accident at the start of the race. Our rider skilfully managed the penalty after exceeding the limits of the track in the last laps, working to regain two positions from the start. 

Joel Kelso: "It was wonderful! I led from the beginning and during the course of the race I slowed down my pace to analyse my rivals. In the last lap I gave everything despite being on my limit. It has been a great weekend for us and we will fight to finish this strong season. Thank to the team and my family"

Mattia Volpi: "I’m happy because I’ve improved on a second my race pace and I’ve been close to the front group pace. I got harmed by the incident of three riders on the track and I rode alone. I got penalized with a long lap and I finished 26º"

Anscari Nadal: "Amazing week for AGR Team! The team has done an excellent job on a mourning weekend for the passing of a person close to the team. I am very happy with the potential of Joel Kelso, he has shown his potential during the race with a great overtaking in the last laps. Mattia Volpi has to keep working, we are convinced that the results will come. During this weekend has proven to be very competitive in rainy conditions. Thank to the drivers, all AGR staff and sponsors who have made this success possible"

The AGR Team finishes an effective qualifying day during the seventh round of the FIM CEV Repsol, the Grand Prix the Octo di San Marino and the Riviera di Rimini, World Championship event. The riders have consolidated an atypical qualifying day, deprived of free training, in a semi-wet condition during the course of the two qualifying training sessions.

Joel Kelso and Mattia Volpi finish an excellent day under changing conditions. The young Australian rider keeps his line of hits on a track already known to him. He will start from the front line of the grid, in third place after achieving his record by shooting solo during the morning qualifying. Kelso has been confident and optimistic for Saturday after the good sensations obtained in dry and wet conditions. 

Mattia Volpi confirms her upward line of learning in her first year in the Moto3 category. During the course of the first qualifying session under the weather conditions of rain the Italian rider made the best of himself, managed to roll practically the entire session in first place. Volpi, the second youngest rider in the category, has taken a great driving lesson in wet conditions, going through difficulties in dry conditions. He will start from the twenty-eighth place with great options if rainy conditions are presented on track.

Anscari Nadal: "I am very proud with the result of the day. Mattia Volpi rode very fast in the first part of the QP1 and he will have to go all out from the start. Joel Kelso has done his job and can do it very well in the dry. We start from the front line, let’s fight for the victory tomorrow!"

The AGR Team riders have contested two races in each category during an intense day at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. Al lof them have fought fought for the front positions and have given their best under difficult track conditions due to the high temperatures.

Moto3 kicked off an intense day of racing, with Joel Kelso starting from the front row of the grid and Mattia Volpi from the eighth row. In the first race, Kelso made a good start that allowed him to run in second position and lead during the first laps. The AGR Team rider constantly fought for podium positions and remained in the leading group. In the last laps he lost some positions, although he managed to overcome and finish in seventh position. Mattia Volpi went from less to more this time. The Italian lost some positions in the opening laps and fought to maintain a good pace. He progressively climbed positions and felt more and more comfortable until he crossed the finish line in seventeenth position, his best result this season.

Similar situation that we experienced in the second race of the category, although with very difficult track conditions due to the high temperatures. Kelso made a good start again and he quickly led the group. After six laps, an error relegated him several places and the Australian's comeback began at the same time that the group split. The AGR Team rider was finally seventh after fighting for sixth place in the final meters. Mattia Volpi lost several positions at the start and was forced to do his best from the start to get the best possible result. The Italian progressively advanced and fought for twentieth position until the last lap, crossing the finish line in twenty-first position.

In Moto2, Taiga Hada has fought in the group throughout the race to get the best possible position. Despite not finding the best feeling with his bike, Hada fought for fifth position until the end with several riders, including his teammate Sam Wilford. Finally, the Japanese rider crossed the finish line in sixth position after fighting to enter the Top5 until the last meters. Wilford lost several places at the start of the first race, although he quickly recovered and managed to hook up with the group and fight for the first positions. The Briton tried to the end and finished in seventh position.

The second Moto2 race was more difficult due to the high temperatures in Jerez. Taiga started the race climbing positions and in a few corners he was already running in third position. This time the Japanese had better feelings driving his Kalex, something that he showed as he fought for fourth position from start to finish until finishing fifth. Sam Wilford also made a good start that allowed him to be in the group from the first moments. After giving his best and finishing sixth, he crossed the finish line in eighth place. The Briton is showing that he is becoming more comfortable and that he has the potential to fight for the top positions and even for the podium.

The next FIM CEV Repsol event will take place on September 19 in Misano coinciding with the San Marino Grand Prix, although this time only Moto3 riders will compete. The Moto2 and Hawkers European Talent Cup riders will have to wait for the last race of the year next November.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “We made some changes to the Warm Up on Taiga’s bike, but it wasn't perfect for the first race and he didn't have a good feeling with the front. In the second race we foung a good setup and he did a good race, but it was difficult with the temperature. Sam did very well, this weekend he was physically depleted but he still rode with the top five and had a good pace. He is getting closer to the podium every time. I have a bittersweet taste with Joel because the goal was the podium and even to win after coming off the front row. Joel suffered with the tyre and he did not want to risk. Mattia didn't have a good start in the first race, just like in the second. When he managed to shoot in good times the race was already very divided. Even so, he has worked hard considering the conditions of the track, it was very hot and it was not easy”.

Taiga Hada (R1: P6 / R2: P5): “Today has been a difficult day. In the first race I did not feel comfortable with the bike, I did not have a good feeling with the front. For the second race we managed to solve it and I was much better, but it was very hot and the conditions were not easy. In spite of everything we have given our best and we have been ahead. Now we are thinking in the last race in Valencia”.

Joel Kelso (R1: P7 / R2: P7): “We did a good start in Race 1 and we led for a few laps also. I felt strong in the beggining but we still had to find the correct setting. We continued working hard to fight for the podium in the end. Race 2 was similar, we led the first lap but the group spread out because I had a good pace. I made a Little mistake in turn 1 and I lost many positions. Then I tried to catch up the group and I only could fight for P6 or P7. Overall it was a hard weekend, we still scored points in both races, P7 in each one is not where we want to be but it better than crashing. We will come back stronger in Misano and we will do a better race”. 

Sam Wilford (R1: P7 / R2: P8): “Difficult 2 races today but many positives to take away from this weekend. We have good pace to fight inside the top 5, let’s see what we can do in Valencia for the last race of the season!”

Mattia Volpi (R1: P17 / R2: 21): “Today in Race 1 I did a mistake in the start, losing a lot of position but then I catch the group in front of me and I fought for top 10. The start in Race 2 was a bit better the start but in first corner I went wide, I lost some position and then I finished p21. Thanks to all the team, always closer for the top”.

AGR Team has disputed this Saturday the qualifying sessions of the sixth round of the FIM CEV Repsol. In Moto2, Taiga Hada Sam Wilford will start from the second and fourth row of the grid. In Moto3, Joel Kelso will start from the front row again while Mattia Volpi will start from the eighth. Kristian Daniel Jr. has come very close to qualifying for tomorrow's races after leading much of the Last Chance race.

In Moto2, Taiga Hada achieved the sixth best time in the first session. Already in second qualifying, the Japanese AGR Team rider was fifteenth after he did not find the best feelings due to the high temperatures. Tomorrow he will start from the second row of the grid, in sixth position.

Sam Wilford set the 10th best time in QP1. Already in the second and qualifying, Wilford improved his result and was sixth, being close to improving his own record after feeling very comfortable on the Andalusian track. With these results tomorrow he will start tenth.

In Moto3, Joel Kelso came out in the first session ready to get the best possible result after not starting the weekend with the best feeling. The Australian AGR Team rider set the third best time in the category, just one tenth behind the leader. In QP2 the times were slower and, although he was fifteenth, the time in QP1 was enough for him to start tomorrow from the front row of the grid.

Mattia Volpi continues to improve. The Italian was fourteenth in the first qualifying session, while in the second he was twenty-second. Tomorrow he will start the races from the twenty-third position although he is only a few tenths of the first classified, being very close to matching his best result this season.

At the Hawkers European Talent Cup, Kristian Daniel came very close to securing his direct pass to Sunday's races. The young American rider competed in the Last Chance race and quickly took the lead to dominate for much of the race. Despite fighting for the win until the end, he finished in a creditable third place. Once the test was over, he drop one position for exceeding the track limits on the last lap and he finally was fourth.

Tomorrow there will be two races of each category: Moto3, at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and Moto2 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “Taiga starts in the second row but he is not quite happy. We have to improve the set-up and get a better rhythm. We will test something in the warm up for the race. He is confident but Jerez is a very demanding circuit. I am very happy with Joel's front row. He has done a good job together with the whole team. We will suffer especially in the second race because of the heat, but we will fight for the podium. Mattia is 23rd but he es less than a second behind the first classified. He is riding very fast this weekend and has a great chance of getting the his first points if he makes a good start. With Sam we had a problem with the shifter in the first qualifying and that delayed us in the first laps. In the second qualifying he did very well. He's never been this far ahead, he's got a good pace and he's confident. Tomorrow I hope he fights for the top positions. Kristian was close to qualifying today. In Q1, the bike stopped due to an electrical problem and had few laps. In the second he went very well and was three tenths away from qualifying. In the race he made a good start and led most of the race. He has endured very well and we are all very happy with him”.

Joel Kelso P3 (QP1: P3 / QP2: P21): “I have mixed feelings today. I’m very happy that we found the direction we needed because this weekend hasn’t been easy. During QP1 we did some changed to get a better feeling. I did a nice lap riding alone and the pace was good also. Overall was a good day. During QP2 We worked on race pace, which is important for tomorrow. Let’s keep working during the warm up and let’s enjoy the two races”.

Taiga Hada P6 (QP1: P6 / QP2: P15: “The first qualifying was very good and we got a good time. In the second qualifying the conditions was very hard, with high termperatures so it was difficult to get a good setting. The feeling with the bike wasn’t the best because I had some problems with the front and I couldn’t get a good time. Tomorrow we will change the setting and the targes for the races is the podium”. 

Sam Wilford P10 (QP1: 10 / QP2: P6): “We are ready for the races tomorrow. I think we have a good setup for the 2 races and can fight inside the top 5 positions. I’m looking forward to the races and let’s see what is possible”.

Mattia Volpi P23 (QP1: 24 / QP2: P22): “Today was a good day. We are all near, I’m 23rd but I’m only eight tenths from the first, so this is very good. We are improving week by week and I have a good pace. Let’s see tomorrow in the race”.

Kristian Daniel Jr. P4 (Last Chance Race): “The weekend was very good. Everybody was really really close to qualifying for the main races but sadly there’s only two places to pass. It was a great race, I pushed a lot trying to open a gap between the other riders. I rode first during most of the race but when I was second the rider crashed in front of me and I lost some positions. I was holding pretty good, I was really fun. I want to thank the team because they worked really well. Now we are thinking in the next race in Valencia”. 

The AGR Team rider Taiga Hada will compete as a wildcard in Moto2 at the Grand Prix of Austria on August 15th. This Grand Prix is ​​the second in which the Japanese rider will take part this season, after making his debut at the Jerez Grand Prix.

This opportunity is a new reward for Hada, who took the podium for the first time in the last round of the FIM CEV Repsol after finishing third. This podium achieved at MotorLand Aragon is the result of all the work that he has been doing since the season began, and from the AGR Team we have no doubts that he will make a great performance in the World Championship.

Taiga Hada: “I am very excited and grateful. I want to thank both the Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team for this opportunity and the AGR Team, with whom I am growing as a rider in the FIM CEV since last season. In addition, the third place achieved this weekend at MotorLand gives me even more motivation to face this Grand Prix”.

The fifth round of the season for the FIM CEV Repsol was held this weekend at MotorLand Aragón. In Moto2, Taiga Hada returned in the best possible shape after his injury by taking the podium for the first time, while Sam Wilford took another step and finished sixth. In Moto3, Joel Kelso made a great race even leading the group after he finished eighth; and Mattia Volpi was twenty-sixth. At the Hawkers European Talent Cup, Kristian Daniel Jr. crashed after the restart. 

In the Moto2 race, Taiga Hada overtook positions since the beginning. With seven laps to go, he was running on the podium and struggled to extend the lead. Hada gave his best and in the last lap he overtook Lukas Tulovic to recover the final third position. It is the first podium for the Japanese in the Moto2 European Championship. His teammate Sam Wilford made a good start and stayed in the group for the first few laps. The AGR Team rider climbed up positions and rode alone to finish sixth, taking another step forward this season.

In the Hawkers European Talent Cup, Kristian Daniel started from the thirteenth row decided to get a good result. He climbed several positions in the opening laps until the red flag stopped the race. After the restart, the North American rider was involved in a multiple crash in the first corner that prevented him from continuing the race.

In Moto3, Joel Kelso came out determined to regain positions. Already at the start the Australian took tenth position and progressively approached the leading group. Kelso, who closed the gap before taking the long lap penalty, continued to struggle until he reached podium positions and even led the race. The AGR Team rider fought to the end and crossed the finish line in eighth position. Mattia Volpi, meanwhile, fought from start to finish and continues to improve in the category. After overtaking several riders and climbing positions, the Italian rider crossed the line in 26th position, making it clear that he has the potential to fight and achieve good results.

The rest of the races were canceled after the death of Hugo Millán was known. From AGR Team we send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the team.

The next FIM CEV Repsol event will take place in Jerez from August 19 to 22.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “It has been a bittersweet weekend due to the sad loss of Hugo. In sports, it has been a great weekend for Taiga Hada. Ten days before the race the doctors removed the piece of metal that he still wore on his finger. Despite having very little strength and mobility in his hand and suffering a lot of pain he has made his best race to date.

We also did a perfect set-up. I am very happy for him and more coming from an injury like this. Sam Wilford continues to advance. He is struggling to finish the race in the top5. He has more pace and he’s faster. I hope to see him on the podium soon too.

Joel made a great race. We didn’t start in the front because he didn't make a good strategy on Saturday and he also had a long lap. He managed to lead the race despite everything, but the tyres suffered a lot from having pushed so hard at the beginning to overtake positions. In the end he couldn't be on the podium, but he finished the race and showed his worth, I'm very happy. Mattia has to keep progressing. He rode in competitive times, but the problem is that all drivers have those times. If he keeps working the results will come.

Kristian qualified for the race and stepped up. In the first start he recovered some positions. Then there was the fatal accident and there was a red flag. I think he didn't have his head in place, like many other riders because of the situation, and that hurt him in the second start. He crashed in the first corner with other riders and we lost the opportunity to learn more. Even so, he has taken a step forward”. 

Today the results are not important. We mourn the passing of the young pilot Hugo Millán. The most important thing is to be with his family and friends.

From AGR Team we send our condolences to the family, friends and team.

The MotorLand Aragon circuit hosts this weekend the fifth round of the FIM CEV Repsol. The high temperatures and the wind turned the Aragonese track into a complicated scenario on this Saturday and the AGR Team riders have worked very hard to get the best result for tomorrow's races. 

Joel Kelso arrived at MotorLand Aragon with the best motivation after getting his first Moto3 victory. The Australian rider didn’t find the best feelings and finished eighteenth in the first session. In the second qualifying Kelso managed to improve his times until he achieved the ninth and he will start tomorrow from nineteenth position.

Volpi continues to progress in the Moto3 Junior World Championship. The Italian AGR Team rider set the twenty fifth fastest time in the first qualifying session. Already in the second session was twenty eighth and tomorrow he will occupy the twenty sisth position on the starting grid.

In Moto2, the big news has starred Taiga Hada. The Japanese rider has returned to competition after missing the previous round of the championship due to his crash at Montmeló. Hada faced the weekend with confidence finishing seventh in the first session and eighth in the second. In this way, Taiga Hada will start tomorrow from seventh position.

Sam Wilford has stepped forward once again. The British continues to improve and finished eighth and ninth in both sessions. Wilford is optimistic for tomorrow races and he is able to catch up with the front riders, starting from eighth position on the grid.

In the European Talent Cup, Kristian Daniel has registered the nineteenth fastest time in both sessions. With these results Kristian Daniel Jr. is classified for the two races and he will start from the thirteenth row of the grid.

Tomorrow the races of the fifth round of the season will be held: Moto2 races will take place at 11:00h and at 14:00h; Hawkers European Talent Cup will be at 12:00h and at 15:00h and Moto3 race at 13:00h, all of them in local time.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “I am very happy with Taiga's return. We didn't think he could be on the bike so soon but his hand is improving faster than expected. Sam has taken a big step, he is going to be in an important group where, if he can make a good start he could even fight for the podium. The gap between the riders es very close except for the two Speed Up bikes so both Taiga and Sam can fight for the podium. In Moto3, I am happy for Mattia, he can fight to have a good race. Joel has not made a good strategy even though he has the pace. In addition, he received a long lap penalty for riding slow so we lose the options to fight for the podium tomorrow. Let's hope he can go fast tomorrow. I'm glad Kristian qualified. Tomorrow will be two learning races for him and hopefully he can make a good start”.

Taiga Hada P7 (QP1: 7th / QP2: 8th): “I felt comfortable today. After the crash in Barcelona it was a bit difficult for me to adapt to the bike, especially when braking. I am happy with the result in the first qualifying. In the second session the conditions were very tough, with a lot of heat and a lot of wind, so I couldn't get a better result. The target tomorrow is to be on the podium, but it is also important not to crash. Mentally I feel very strong, and physically I also feel good. Thanks to the adapted glove after the hand injury I can ride better, so tomorrow we will push in both races”.

Sam Wilford P8 (QP1: 8th / QP2: 9th): “Good Qualifying day here in Aragon. The gap to the podium is very close and tomorrow we will fight to close the gap! Let’s see what is possible in the races!”

Joel Kelso P15 (QP1: 18th / QP2: 9th): “It’s been a difficult weekend. We continue struggling for tomorrow. We have one long lap penalty for the race so let’s try our best. We will try to do the best as posible. Thanks again to the team for all their support, we continue working.”

Mattia Volpi P26 (QP1: 25th / QP2: 28th): “Today was a good day. We worked hard since the first day here in Aragon but we know we can do better. Tomorrow is race day and we will give our best to overtake some positions since the beginning”.

Kristian Daniel Jr. P19 (QP1: 19th / QP2: 19th): “It was a very hard day becuase I pushed really hard and I put everything into the qualifying. I didn't qualify where I wanted but, I am still very happy with my results”.

Very positive results for the AGR Team in Portimao. Joel Kelso has achieved his first victory after starting from pole and starring in a great race in Moto3. Mattia Volpi suffered a crash after being run over by another rider when he was performing his best. Sam Wilford finished sixth in both Moto2 races, achieving his best results of the season.

The Moto3 race was held under very tough conditions due to the wind and temperatures. Joel Kelso started from the top of the grid, ready to win after the good results achieved throughout the weekend. From the start Kelso fought with Daniel Holgado for the first position until a red flag stopped the race, which was later resumed with ten laps. After this second start, Kelso lost some positions, so he was forced to climb positions and do his best to stay in the leading group. With two laps to go, he regained the lead and tried to open a gap, although Daniel Holgado did not make things easy for him. The Australian rider still had an ace up his sleeve and achieved the long-awaited victory by five thousandths.

His teammate Mattia Volpi has had his best run this season. The young Italian rider started from twenty-second position. He progressively climbed positions and he feelt more and more comfortable in each lap. Volpi had a great pace and went on to make fastest lap up to three times. When he was running in thirteenth position and less than two seconds behind the leader, another rider hit him and he went to the ground, losing any option to finish the race and score the first points of the season.

In Moto2, Sam Wilford has once again taken another step forward. The British rider, who started from ninth on the grid, climbed positions from the start and is increasingly comfortable riding the Kalex. This time around, he finished sixth in both races after fighting for the place until the last moment.

The next FIM CEV Repsol event will take place at MotorLand Aragón from July 22 to 25.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “I am very very happy today. It couldn't have been better, we won a very difficult race in Moto3 due to the conditions. Joel has done a fantastic job, as has the team. Mattia had the best race of his life and ended up on the ground because of other riders. He was shooting less than three seconds from the head of the race and in the points, which is mind-blowing. He has taken a big step forward. Sam has had two very good races. In every race he takes a step forward. Now he is already faster from the first laps. I am very happy for the whole team. Thanks to everyone who works at AGR. This has just started and we are already looking towards the next race, there is a lot of championship left ”.

Joel Kelso P1: “I’m super happy today. It was an amazing weekend. We were fast since the beginning, the team worked very well. We did a good race, we struggled the P1 that we’ve been waiting for. I’m over the moon with what happened. I can’t belive it. I’m so happy that how hard my family has worked to be here today. Thanks also to my sponsors and the team that made this posible”. 

Sam Wilford R1: P6 / R2: P6: “Great two races today finishing both in a PB of 6th position. We will work in Aragon for a better Qualifying to hopefully go better again in the races. Top job by all the team again!”. 

Mattia Volpi DNF: “I have no words to describe the feelings of today. In the second start, I started better than the first and I did three times the fastest lap of the race. I caught the front group and I started to battle. I was p13 at 1.7 seconds from the first and when started the second last lap one rider in turn 5 hit me and I crashed. We were very strong in this weekend, next one we will rock!”. 

The fourth round of the FIM CEV Repsol takes place this weekend at the Autodromo International do Algarve in Portimao. The AGR Team riders played the qualifying sessions this Saturday with very positive results. Joel Kelso has achieved his first pole in Moto3, while his teammate Mattia Volpi will start twenty-second. In Moto2, Sam Wilford will start from ninth place. Kristian Daniel Jr. has contested the Last Chance Race of the European Talent Cup finishing in seventh position.

Joel Kelso started the weekend by setting the best time in free practice sessions. This Saturday, the Australian rider followed the same strategy: get the best time in the first qualifying session. In this way, Kelso set the fastest time with 1:48.237. In the second session, the times were slower and no rider could beat the record of the AGR Team rider, who this time finished fifteenth. The result of the first session was enough to claim pole position, the first achieved in the Moto3 Junior World Championship. 

Mattia Volpi has taken another step in his progression this weekend. The young AGR Team rider has improved his results as the weekend progressed, feeling more and more comfortable with the bike and with the category. In the first session he set the 19th best time after doing a great job over the weekend. Already in the second session, the high temperatures made the times slower and Volpi was the twenty-ninth. Tomorrow he will start from 22nd position on the grid, his best result to date.

In Moto2, Sam Wilford started the weekend with a great pace in free practice, setting the fifth fastest time. However, this Saturday he had more difficulties to find the feeling with the bike and he fought to get the best possible result. After being eighth and tenth in each of the sessions, tomorrow he will start from the ninth position. On the other hand, his teammate Taiga Hada will not take part in the races in Portugal this weekend either. The Japanese AGR Team rider continues to recover from the surgery he underwent on his hand after the crash in Barcelona. Even so, Hada wanted to be this weekend with his teammates on the Portuguese track.

In the European Talent Cup, Kristian Daniel has tried his best at the demanding Portimao circuit to try to go straight to Sunday's race. However, the American rider had to compete in the Last Chance Race to qualify for tomorrow. After starting from sixth position, Kristian Daniel fought with the rest of the riders, staying in sixth position during most of the race. In the last laps he lost some places, although he has finally recovered and finished in seventh position. In this way, tomorrow he will not take part in the Hawkers European Talent Cup race.

Tomorrow the races of the fourth round of the season will be held: Moto2 will take place at 11:00h am and at 14:00h; the Hawkers European Talent Cup will be at 12:00h. and Moto3 at 13:00h, all of them in local time.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “Happy with the first pole in Moto3 with Joel. Great job from both the rider and the team. Tomorrow we have to finish in the race with the best result. It was a shame that Kristian couldn't qualify. It is a new circuit for him in which he has never trained. It was very windy and it wasn't easy. I'm sure next year will be better. Mattia Volpi has taken a step forward once again. I'm very happy, but we have to reaffirm that step in the race. We know he can go faster. Sam has also taken another step forward and I hope to see him tomorrow fighting for the Top5 in the races. It was difficult for us with the choice of tyres and tomorrow at the Warm Up we will do more tests. It was a great qualifying day”.

Joel Kelso P1 (QP1: 1º / QP2: 15º): “I’m happy with how the weekend es going so far. I’m happy with the first pole position. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s race. Let’s give it all”.

Sam Wilford P9 (QP1: 8º / QP2: 10º): “Good start to the weekend with some strong free practice sessions. Today we struggled a little for the feeling with the bike but I’m sure tomorrow we will have something we can fight with”.

Mattia Volpi P22 (QP1): “Today was a very good day and we made another good step for the race. We can always do better and we have improoved all the session. Tomorrow is race day, let s see what we can do”.

Kristian Daniel Jr. P7 (Last Chance Race): “Good progesing days at Portugal and I felt super good. When the wind started, it turned into a difficult track. I pushed my hardest but I wasn't able to make it this round”.

The AGR Team riders competed in the third round of the FIM CEV Repsol this Sunday. In Moto3, Joel Kelso finished eighth and eleventh in the two races of the category. Mattia Volpi had to retire in the first race, while in the second he was eighteenth. In Moto2, Sam Wilford had his best race of the season with eighth place and ninth in the second one.

In the first Moto3 race Joel Kelso lost some positions in the first laps after starting from eighth. The Australian AGR Team rider began to overtook positions trying to catch up with the front group. A crash divided the group and prevented him from reaching thefront group, although he crossed the finish line in eighth position and riding very close to podium positions. Mattia Volpi, who started from the tenth row on the grid, climbed positions in the opening laps, approaching the group and closing the gap. Bad luck caused Volpi to retire on the ninth lap due to a crash.

In the second race, Joel Kelso didn’t have a good feeling with the rear tyre for the first few laps. All this, together with the very high temperatures and some touch with other riders, have forced him to work hard to climb up to ten places. Kelso was eleventh and got some valuable places for the general standing. Mattia Volpi continued with his progression, taking another step forward in the category, setting good times and crossing the finish line in eighteenth position.

In Moto2 Sam Wilford has had his best race of the season despite his physical discomfort since the Warm Up. Starting from ninth position, the British AGR rider maintained a good pace until he finished in eighth position, matching his best result this season. In the second race, the extreme temperatures took their toll on the riders, reaching sixty degrees on the track. Wilford gave his all once again to finish in ninth position.

The AGR Team also remembered the Moto2 rider Taiga Hada, who remains hospitalized after undergoing surgery on his right hand after Friday’s crash. The whole team has shown its support in the races and wishes him a speedy and favorable recovery.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “Sam wasn’t physically well this morning and he barely rode in the Warm Up. In the first race he has made his best race this year despite how he felt. The second one was more difficult for him, like the rest of the riders, due to the very high track temperature. I'm very happy with his weekend. We have missed Taiga, we wish him a speedy recovery. In Moto3, Kelso had a good first race. Due to a crash the group broke down and he was unable to reach them, although he was riding close to the podium times. It is a complicated circuit and he wanted to finish a race so he didn’t ride to the limit. In the second race the heat affected a lot and the rear tire didn’t have a good grip in the first laps. He didn’t have a good feeling and along with a touch with some riders he has gone back. He overtook some positions and he got good points for the championship. Mattia Volpi has taken a step forward this weekend and if you look at his best lap the time is good. He lacks race pace but it is something that we are going to work to improve in the next rounds”.

Sam Wilford (R1: P8 / R2: P9): “It was a really good weekend for us getting my best personal result for the qualifying. Unfortunaly today had a stomach ache which didn’t help me to get some good results. We make some really good steps forward in the right direction to be fighting for the Top5 in the next few races”.

Joel Kelso (R1: P8 / R2: P11): “It was a difficult day. I had the speed but it was not enough. We made a few mistakes and we sacrified both races because of this. We made another step and we will try again in Portugal. At least we have two races without crashing and I’m happy for this. We finally finished two races and we got points in both. Let’s see in Portimao”. 

Mattia Volpi (R1: NC / R2: P18): “Today we had bad luck in race one because I crashed when I was closing the gap with the group. In the second race I had a long lap but I went straight in the gravel and I finished 18th. I want to say thanks to the team because the bike was perfect all the weekend”.

The AGR Team has disputed this Saturday the qualifying sessions of the third round of the FIM CEV Repsol at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya. Joel Kelso will start tomorrow from eighth position in Moto3. His teammate Mattia Volpi will start from a promising tenth row. In Moto2, Sam Wilford will do it from ninth position. His teammate Taiga Hada will not race this weekend after suffering a crash yesterday that has forced him to undergo surgery. In the European Talent Cup, Kristian Daniel has disputed the Last Chance Race finishing in eighth position.

In Moto2, Sam Wilford has taken another step in his progression. He continues improving his results since he started the season with AGR Team. In the first session, the British rider achieved the ninth best time with a time of 1: 46.514. In the second session, the times were slower than in the morning session and Sam signed the eleventh best time. In this way, Wilford will start tomorrow from the third row of the grid, in ninth position. This result is the best that the rider has achieved in qualifying sessions.

In Moto3, Joel Kelso finished the first qualifying session in eighth position with 1: 49.025. The Australian AGR Team rider has come out to the second session ready to improve his results and be able move forward to ensure a good strategy. Kelso gave his best in the final minutes, thus achieving the fourth best time and securing the eighth place on the starting grid.

His teammate Mattia Volpi, arrived in Barcelona with the intention of making up for the results of Valencia in his progression with AGR Team. Volpi got the twenty-ninth record in the first qualifying, while in the second he was thirty-fourth. 

Tomorrow he will start from the tenth row of the grid, the best result for the Italian in this category.

In the European Talent Cup, Kristian Daniel was twenty-fourth in both sessions. Kristian Daniel has given his best to get some good times in his debut at the Circuit de Barcelona - Catalunya. With these results, the American rookie had to compete in the Last Chance Race to be eligible to compete in tomorrow's race. Kristian Daniel Jr. started in this race eight laps from eighth position. After a difficult start, the young AGR Team rider tried to catch up with the front group, riding solo from start to finish and finishing eighth.

In the European Talent Cup, Kristian Daniel was twenty-fourth in both sessions. Kristian Daniel gave his best to get some good times in his debut at the Circuit de Barcelona - Catalunya. With these results, the American rookie had to compete in the Last Chance Race to participate in tomorrow's race. Kristian Daniel Jr. started in this eight-lap race from eighth position. After a tricky start, the young AGR Team rider tried to catch up with the front group, riding alone from start to finish and finishing eighth.

The races of this third round of the FIM CEV Repsol will be held tomorrow. Moto3 will be at 11:00h and at 14:00h, and Moto2 races will be at 12:00h and at 15:00h. 

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “I am sad for Taiga because, after how the tests were in Montmelo, we could get a good result and we were hungry for a podium. This afternoon he has undergone surgery by Doctor Barrera at the Dexeus clinic and it will be a long recovery. We knew it would be difficult to qualify with Kristian, and it has been. The bike has suffered an electrical problema in Q2 that we have struggled to detect and Kristian has lost a good part of the classification. It's his first time on this circuit and he has to keep making progress. Mattia is behind, but he has taken a step forward, leaving behind him more experienced riders. I’m very happy with Joel. I knew he could do well and tomorrow we will fight for the podium. With Sam we take a step in every race. This circuit is not easy, he will fight in the second group of race to get a good result”.

Joel Kelso (P8): “Today has been a busy day. I have felt very confident throughout the day. We have worked to have a good setting and we are ready for tomorrow's races. I'm not quite happy with the grid position, but we will fight to be ahead. Many thanks to the team for their work”.

Sam Wilford (P9): “Really good day for us here at Barcelona. We keep making steps throughout the weekend and I’m excited to see if we can make another step tomorrow from 9th place on the grid!”

Mattia Volpi (P29): “In the first session we took a step forward to be closer to the front drivers. In the second session we had a problem with the rear tyre that prevented us from improving the result, but I am ready for tomorrow's races”.

Kristian Daniel JR.  (QP: P24 / RACE: P8): “This round was a weekend for learning. It was my first time riding at Montmelo and the team and I made steady progress all weekend. We were close, but we didn't have the speed to qualify at this round. I'm going to train hard to be ready for the next round in Portugal“.

The AGR Team Moto2 rider Taiga Hada will not participate in the third round of the FIM CEV Repsol, which is being held this weekend at the Circuit Barcelona – Catalunya. 

The Japanese rider suffered a crash yesterday at turn three during the second free practice session. Taiga Hada suffered injuries in two fingers of his right hand, for which it was necessary to take him him to the hospital for a further examination. Finally, Taiga will have to go through surgery to reduce injuries and promote his recovery.

Joel Kelso, AGR Team rider in the Moto3 Junior World Championship, will replace Maximilian Kofler during the next two rounds of the World Championship. In this way, Kelso will take part in the Moto3 races of the German GP and the Dutch GP.

The professional, serious and rigorous work of the AGR Team pays off with the presence of one more of our riders in the MotoGP World Championship in the year of our 10th anniversary, sharing with the human team, partners, sponsors and fans this achievement.

We wish our young rider the best luck and send our best wishes to Maximilian Kofler for a speedy recovery. 

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “I'm happy for Joel because it's a great opportunity that brings out the training work done by AGR Team with the riders. Joel competed in his first FIM CEV Repsol last year with us and in his second year he is fighting in the front. This fast progression is paying off.”

Joel Kelso: “I want to make this opportunity worth. I'm going to give it all! I wish Kofler a Speedy recovery. Of course, thank everyone that has made this races posible. Thanks also to my personal sponsors: Füsport, Kabuto, Mithos, Rainers, Motorcycling Australia, Terra, Livson".

Intense weekend for the AGR Team. After these days full of positive work, the effort has not been rewarded during the races. 

In Moto2, Sam Wilford was tenth, while Taiga Hada was unable to finish the race due to an unexpected mechanical failure with the gear box. In Moto3, both Joel Kelso and Mattia Volpi have been forced to withdraw after suffering crashes. Kristian Daniel was 28th in the second of the Hawkers European Talent Cup races.

Kristian Daniel was 28th in the second of the Hawkers European Talent Cup races. 

In Moto3, Joel Kelso started from fourth position. After a good start, the Australian tried not to separate from the front group. Kelso had a good pace and tried to close the gap until on lap eight he suffered a crash that prevented him from finishing the race. For the second race Kelso came out determined to fight for the podium to make up for the previous result. On the first lap David Alonso took the lead in a highly debatable action, depriving him of the just prize of fighting for the podium.

Mattia Volpi was involved in the first race a multiple crash at turn four in which he was taken ahead. Volpi was unable to avoid the incident and suffered a severe fall, which reduced his abilities for the second race, but the pain in his head and his right leg did not allow him to continue. The Italian AGR Team rider has gone one step further this weekend and continues with his learning and adaptation to the new category.

In Moto2, Taiga Hada’s goal since the beginning of the weekend was to fight for the podium, so it was important to make a good start that would allow him to be in the front positions. In the first corners he was already running in third position and tried to maintain it while the leading drivers set a high race pace. After the red flag, the race resumed at nine laps and Hada followed the same strategy again, fighting until the end to get into the podium. Bad luck took hold of the Japanese, who had to leave with three laps to go due to an unexpected mechanical problem with the gear box despite the good results obtained.

His teammate Sam Wilford finished in tenth position and setting a great pace despite a rider hit him with the wheel on his back, leaving the mark of the incident in his leathersuit. Wilford has gone a step further and has managed to improve his results throughout the weekend and add some valuable points in the general classification.

Kristian Daniel Jr. . In the first race of the Hawkers European Talent Cup Kristian Daniel Jr. climbed positions feeling more and more comfortable and after qualifying directly for the race. After eight laps, the youngest rider in the category crashed. In the second race, the American rookie began to climb positions taking advantage of his good feelings in the first test and lap after lap he has achieved a good race pace. Kristian Daniel finished a good weekend getting the 28th position. Kristian Daniel finished a good weekend getting the 28th position.

Sam Wilford P10: “It was a good weekend. Unfortunately the race was difficult, but I fought for tenth position. I am looking forward to arriving in Barcelona and I am sure we will be stronger”.

Kristian Daniel Jr. (R1: NC / R2: P28): “The day has gone very well. This morning I was a bit nervous, but when it started to rain it calmed me down because I feel comfortable in wet conditions. After the Warm Up the race has already been dry. I was very happy to have the first race and I had fun. In the second race I tried to make a good start and I did my best. I think everything has gone very well and I’m looking forward to next weekend”.

Taiga Hada NC: “I’m not quite happy because of the problem with the gearbox that has left me stranded. I could have fought to get on the podium, but in Montmeló we will fight for it again”.

Joel Kelso (R1: NC / R2: NC): “Unfortunately it has not been a good day. Two crashes that prevented us from fighting for the podium and one of them was not my fault, but I was hit by another rider. We can only think about the next race in Barcelona”.

Mattia (R1: NC / R2: NC): “I didn’t make a bad start, overtaking four or five riders and then at turn two some more. In turn four I had a strong fall and my head and right leg hurt a lot. I tried to start in race two, but it was impossible in the right-hand corners. I almost fell because I couldn’t drive well. I am very sorry for the team because we had gone one step further and we were having fun, but that’s the way racing is. We are already thinking about Barcelona”.

AGR Team has reached an agreement with Kristian Daniel Jr to compete in the European Talent Cup next season. In this way, he will make his debut in the lower category of the FIM CEV Repsol, being the youngest rider in the category. The North American rider, who turned 12 years old last Friday, participated in the Moto5 Cradle of Champions last season, achieving two victories and multiple podiums.

Kristian Daniel has shown that he has the potential to grow as a rider, and AGR wants to continue betting on the progression of the youngest with this union. Born in Los Angeles, he played several MiniGP and flat track championships, in which he was proclaimed champion, in addition to previously competing supermotard. In 2017 he had his first contact with Spanish competitions, contesting a race in which the pilot shone and showed his quality. The result of this appointment was the reason why in 2018 he moved with his entire family to Barcelona to continue developing his professional career. During these three years in Spain he has contested numerous races in which he has fought for the podium and even victory on top-level circuits.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “I am very happy to have Kristian Daniel Jr in our team. He is a promising young American with whom we have a very good relationship since we have known each other since they moved to Barcelona. I thank all the sponsors who have made it possible for AGR to have a motorcycle in the European Talent Cup this year. I am very excited about Kristian. The road is long, but we are already starting to work to take it to the top ”.

Kristian Daniel Jr: “I am very excited to have a chance to compete in the European Talent Cup, and being able to do it with AGR is even more special because we already knew each other since we came to Spain. It is a great challenge, but I am ready to learn and work together. I am very grateful to Vanel Design, Noyes Camp, Kabuto, Riderzlaw and of course to Anscari Nadal for making this dream come true ”.AGR Team ha llegado a un acuerdo con Kristian Daniel Jr para competir la próxima temporada en la European Talent Cup. De esta forma, debutará en la categoría inferior del FIM CEV Repsol, siendo el piloto más joven de la categoría. El piloto norteamericano, que cumplió 12 años el pasado viernes, participó en la Cuna de Campeones Moto5 la pasada temporada, consiguiendo dos victorias y múltiples pódiums.

Rider Sam Wilford will continue next season with AGR Team. The Briton, who finished 11th overall in Moto2, joined Anscari Nadal's team last September for the final two races of the season. After achieving his best results of the year with a seventh position in Aragon, the goal for next season is to continue his progression as a driver and fight for the podium.

Anscari Nadal: “I am very happy for Sam's renewal. He is very good for a driver who has competed two races with us and wants to continue in AGR after getting the best results from him. It is a sample of the potential that both the driver and the team have. This year he is sure to take another step in his progression and I believe that in 2022 he will be a candidate for the podium ”.

Sam Wilford: “I am very happy to continue with AGR next year. We did a great job at the end of the season and I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in 2021. Thank you very much to all who have made it possible, I am looking forward to working with the team ”.

Camino Coaching: “Sam and the team have worked very well together in the final stretch of the season, so it is great news that they continue together in 2021. The work that Sam has done to progress shows that he is ready to make the most of it. this opportunity and give the best of himself in this new season ”.

The Italian rider Mattia Volpi will be the AGR Team rider during the 2021 season of the FIM CEV Repsol. Volpi, who will make the leap to Moto3 next year with AGR, made his FIM CEV Repsol debut in 2018 and has competed in the Hawkers European Talent Cup to date. The 14-year-old pilot will also carry out a training plan with 111 Management in Spain. The objective is to work from the first moment to gain experience and continue with your progression as a pilot.

Anscari Nadal: “We are very excited to have a rookie in Moto3. It is not going to be an easy year, it will be a lot of learning, but the important thing is that we go to more in each race. Mattia is young and has many things to learn. I thank my friends at GRD management who have made this agreement possible from Italy ”.

Mattia Volpi: “I am very happy to join AGR for next season. I am very grateful for the opportunity GRD Management has given me to be able to get on Moto3 with AGR to continue progressing and growing as a rider. We are going to improve a lot together and I am looking forward to starting working with the team ”.

Moto2 rider Taiga Hada has renewed his contract with AGR Team. After finishing fourth in his European Moto2 debut, the Japanese will continue next season with Anscari Nadal's team. Taiga has had a great season, even fighting for podium positions. The goal for next year is to continue his learning in Europe and fight for the podium in every race, just as there are options to get the title.

Anscari Nadal: “I am very happy with the renewal of Taiga, next year can be a magical year! To thank Nakagome San, MotoUp, P-UP World, Teluru and all the people who trust us from Japan ”.

Taiga Hada: “I am delighted with the technical team and the bike. Both I and my sponsors believe that continuing in AGR will allow us to continue growing and improving to reach the top in the European Championship and achieve the necessary level to reach the World Cup. I hope I can spend more time in Europe training in 2021 ”.

The AGR Team ended the FIM CEV Repsol season at Circuit Ricardo Tormo with positive results. In Moto2, Taiga Hada was sixth and Sam Wilford fourteenth. In Moto3, Gerard Riu was ninth in both races after giving his best despite the weekend's crashes. Joel Kelso has finished in points in both races, twelfth and fourteenth.

The Japanese also finished in a commendable fourth position in the general classification in his first season in the championship and touching the podium in several races. Sam Wilford finished eleventh in the standings. In the general classification of Moto3, Gerard Riu has achieved the eighth place and Joel Kelso the eighteenth, showing a great progression since the beginning of the year.

In the last Moto2 race of the season, Taiga Hada failed to make a start that would allow him to quickly move into the front group, while Wilford climbed some position to climb to thirteenth. After the first laps the group broke up and both drivers fought to maintain a constant rhythm and regain positions. With 8 laps to go, the Japanese was seventh, riding very close to Adam Norrodin. Taiga increased the pace progressively in the final section of the race, until he placed sixth and crossed the finish line in that position. Sam for the part of him maintained the thirteenth place alone. Already on the last lap he was overtaken by Kubo and was fourteenth.

The first day of racing at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit ended with a great job from the AGR riders. In Moto2, Taiga Hada was seventh after making a great start and fighting in the second group and Sam Wilford eleventh. In Moto3, Joel Kelso secured the ninth position and his first top ten of the season. The negative part of the day was played by Gerard Riu when he suffered a heavy fall that left him out of the race. Tomorrow the last Moto2 race of the season and the last two Moto3 races will be held.

Taiga Hada made a good start and managed to place fifth and tried to stay in the top positions. The first drivers maintained a high pace and the race was divided into the opening laps. The Japanese fought in the second group with pilots like Xavi Cardelús and Adam Norrodin until he crossed the finish line in seventh position. For his part, Sam Wilford, who started fifteenth, began to climb positions and increase the pace until he crossed the finish line in eleventh position, very close to the top ten again and showing his progression every day.

After leaving Moto3, Gerard Riu had managed to regain positions and reach eighth place. Joel Kelso for the part of him, fell back to twentieth position. After the first laps, a crash for Riu and David Salvador forced the race to stop after a red flag. The AGR pilot, although he left the track under his own foot, could not continue. The race resumed a few minutes later and was shortened to twelve laps. This situation favored Joel Kelso, who did not miss the opportunity and made a great start that allowed him to reach the tenth position. From there, the Australian kept the pace and Kelso closed the group formed by Adrián Fernández, Lorenzo Felloni, Scott Ogden, Daniel Muñoz to fight for sixth position. With two laps to go, Joel drained all his options until the end and took ninth place, thus achieving his first top-10 and his best result of the season.

Tomorrow the last races of the season will be held. Moto2 will play a single race at 1:00 p.m. Moto3 will compete in two races, at 11:00 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “I was expecting a little more with Taiga's race, but everything is very tight and it has been a difficult race. We are looking for Sam to get a better start to have a good fast pace to fight for higher positions. The fall of Gerard has been strong when entering the straight. We will see how he is tomorrow for the next two races. Kelso has starred in the positive news of the day entering the top 10. I am very happy, he deserves it and has worked hard. Things had to work out and he has talent. He started back and is already there. Both he and the team are doing a great job. He has reached the top 10 and he deserves it ”.

Taiga Hada 7th: “I made a very good start and reached fifth place. It was difficult for me to keep up the pace in the first laps. In the middle of the race I was riding in similar times to the first classified, but I could no longer reach them and I decided to keep my position for the general classification ".

Joel Kelso 9th: “It was a crazy race. After the red flag I made a good start and managed to get into a good position. From there I started to push and stay focused. I found a very good rhythm and got to be in the group fighting for sixth position. I am very happy with the result today. I was ninth and it was my first top 10. Tomorrow we have two more races and I will do my best again ”.

Sam Wilford 11th: “It was a tough race. This morning in the warm up we detected a small problem that did not allow me to have the same feeling as in the previous days. It has not allowed us to be in the front group in the race, but we are doing a good job with the team. Tomorrow we will go out to give one hundred percent again. We have another opportunity to continue progressing ”.

Gerard Riu NC: “We had a good feeling, just like the rest of the weekend. The race started very fast and I was well placed, in eighth position. A rider crashed in front of me when he was ninth and I too had a high side. I have not been able to continue, I have taken a strong blow. We hope to have the fit and to be able to run the races tomorrow. I apologize to the team for the crash and we only have to think about the last ones tomorrow ”.

• Full results Moto2
• Full results Moto3
• Moto2 general classification
• Moto3 general classification
• Full schedules

Everything ready for the races of the last weekend of the season. After an intense day of work, the AGR drivers already know the starting grid positions for the five races that will be held this weekend. In Moto2, Taiga Hada will start from eleventh position and Sam Wilford from fifteenth. In Moto3, Gerard Riu took eleventh place and Joel Kelso fourteenth. Tomorrow there will be one race in each category.

In Moto2, Taiga Hada worked preparing the races. The Japanese worked to get the best setup for the bike and he wants to fight for the top 5 once more in the race. Hada was twelfth in the first qualifying session. In the second qualifying, the Japanese improved his rhythm and finished eleventh. Sam Wilforddind’nt have the good feelings that he had during free practice yesterday. However, Wilford gave his best once again to get the best possible time at fourteenth. During the second qualifying, the British has continued working towards the races and got the fifteenth time in the category. Tomorrow they will come out of eleventh and fifteenth position respectively.

In Moto3, both Joel Kelso and Gerard Riu had a great rhythm during the first qualifying. They rode were running in second and third position respectively during most of the season. They showed that they have a chance of getting good results in the races. At the end of the first qualifying, Riu had set the tenth best time and Kelso the thirteenth. In the second qualifying, Kelso had a crash in the first lap. After a great teamwork, the Australian was back on track to improve his times and achieve the best possible position. Riu, meanwhile, also suffered a crash when he was looking for his fastest lap. Tomorrow he will start from eleventh position and Kelso from fourteenth.

Tomorrow the team will play the first two races of the weekend. After the warm up, Moto2 will be at 12:00 and 13:00.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “The day didn't go as well as it could have. Gerard had a crash in Q2 while was doing a good lap to be able to be in the front row. He had a good rhythm and he will fight to be on the podium. We are very happy with Joel Kelso and we hope to have some great races if he doesn’t get nervous. We know he can do it right. In Moto2 we can do very well with both riders. Despite not having done a good qualifying we have a good set-up. Unlike other races, I think there will be more people to fight for the top 5. Taiga has a good pace and Sam continues to progress every day”.

Gerard Riu P11 (QP1: 10 / QP2: 18): “It was a positive day because I had a good feeling with the bike and we have worked well with the team. We couldn’t do the lap that we wanted to have done. I had a strong crash at the end, but luckily I'm fine. The starting position is not the best, but we will try to stick in the front group and we will fight for the podium. We have a good rhythm for the weekend races and the team is doing a great job."

Taiga Hada P11 (QP1: 12 / QP2: 11): “In the first session the track was cold and I didn't want to risk much. We focused on finding a good setup for the bike. We want to find a little more grip on the bike to be able to go faster. I am very motivated for the race and I’m sure I can make a good start. We know it will not be easy, but we will fight for the top 5."

Joel Kelso P14 (QP1: 13 / QP2: 21): “In the first session I started with a great rhythm and I was riding in second position during part of the session. It gave me a lot of confidence and allows us to see that we are not far from those in front. In the end many riders improved their times, but the result does not allow me to be further ahead. Already in the second session I had a crash in the first lap. The team did a great job to get back on track. Unfortunately I have not recovered the same feeling, but despite that I am happy with the result. I think we can do a good job tomorrow in the race”.

Sam Wilford P15 (QP1: 14 / QP2: 15): “Difficult Qualifying for us after some really strong free practice sessions. But I’m sure we will have what we need to fight strong in the two races here!”

• Full results Moto2
• Full results Moto3
• Full Schedules

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo hosts this weekend the last races of the season after an atypical year and determined by the evolution of the pandemic. First free practice sessions have been held today. AGR drivers have already begun preparing the final races of the championship, ready to givetheir best before the end of the season.

In Moto2, Taiga Hada wants to reach the podium after the good results obtained in Aragon. Wilford continues improving and he will again seek to finish, at least, in the top ten. In Moto3, Gerard Riu will try to get the pódium and the victory at one of his favorite circuits. Joel Kelso also wants to keep progressing and cross the finish line again in the points zone one more time.

Tomorrow the free practice sessions will start at 9:00 am. Qualifying sessions will take place on friday: Moto2 sessions will be at 9:50 a.m. and at 12:55 p.m., and Moto3 sessions at 12:55 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. The most important  days of the weekend will come with the five races. On Saturday Moto2 will start at 12:00 and Moto3 at 13:00. Already on Sunday, the Moto2 race is at 1:00 p.m. while the remaining two of Moto3 will be at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

In the Moto2 general standing, Hada is fifth with 85 points and Wilford is twelfth with 44 points. In Moto3, Gerard Riu is seventh with 59 points and Joel Kelso with five points. 

• Moto2 general classification
• Moto3 general classification
• Full schedules

AGR Team ends the last day of the FIM CEV Repsol at MotorLand Aragón with good feelings. Sam Wilford got his best results so far this season, getting seventh and eighth. Taiga Hada ended the first race in fourth position, although bad luck did not allow him to finish the second race. In Moto3, Gerard Riu was ninth and eleventh, while Joel Kelso fought for the points positions in the first race.

In the first Moto3 race Joel Kelso made a good start that allowed him to reach the fourteenth place. The group was divided in the first laps and Joel and Gerard couldn’t catch up them. The the AGR riders fought with Matsuyama, Rueda and Muñoz for the best possible position until the final stage of the race. Finally, Riu crossed the finish line in twelfth position. Kelso, who made a great fighting for being into points positions, got the sixteenth place.

In the second race Gerard Riu didn’t have his best start and he had to fight for the top 10 again. The race was divided once more after the first laps. Reaching the tenth place, he has fought Masaki and Rueda constantly. Riu gave his hunded percent until the end and he got the ninth position on the last lap. Kelso had a difficult start but he began overtake from the twenty-fifth position. Despite the effort, he was forced to retire by a faulty battery.

The Moto2 riders obtained good results today. In the first race Taiga Hada and Sam Wilford had a great start showing their full potential. Wilford overtook from thirteenth to eighth and rode alone from start to finish. Hada remained, once again, in the front group. The Japanese had a good rhythm, specially during the last laps when he tried to reach the podium positions. Despite trying until the last meters fighting with Cardelús, Hada was finally fourth.

Hada showed his ability again at the start of the second race. After placing himself in fifth position and following a good rhythm to reach the rivals, Xavi Cardelús knocked him down after over-braking in the first corner. Both riders crashed and fortunately they were ok. Wilford progressively overtook positions, reaching the top ten and crossing the finish line in seventh position. This result is the best achieved by the British this season in the FIM CEV.

The next round of the championship will be held from October 30 to November 1 at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, where the 2020 season will say goodbye.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “It has been a very positive weekend. In Moto2 we touched the podium with Taiga and Sam showed his potential already in the first race. A pity that Xavi Cardelús lost control of the bike when braking and hit Taiga from behind, both of them going to the ground, fortunately they are both fine. We appreciate he came to apologize to Taiga. In Valencia we will go out for all and we hope to be even further ahead. We have not found a suitable set-up for Gerard and the strong wind has played against us. We have not been able to give the driver what he needed, but we are already working to make things better in Valencia and fight for victory. Joel had a great first race fighting for the points until the last moment. In the second race he was coming back and it was a shame that I couldn't finish”.

Taiga Hada P4 / NC: “I am disappointed that we did not get the podium because we really deserved it. We have the potential to achieve it and it has been very close. I will fight harder in the remaining races so I can give the team a podium. In the second race I was following the top 3 and I saw myself with possibilities of being on the podium. However, the incident with Cardelús has ruined it. We will continue in this line in Valencia to finish the season with the best results”.

Sam Wilford P8 / P7: “We managed to go one better in the last race for the best result in FIM CEV for me. The team madre a great job and we have more potential for Valencia”.

Gerard Riu P12 / P9: “The weekend did not end as we would have liked because we started this week very well. It was difficult for me to ride due to the wind and in these conditions and I suffered a lot. We gave everything and the team worked hard, but we lost the front group in both races. We will work harder in the next race to keep improving”.

Joel Kelso P16 / NC: “This morning we did a very good job fighting for the points during most of the race. I'm happy in that sense because I know we can be in positions from the front. A pity that he couldn’t finish the second race. We are already focus in Valencia to give the best of ourselves and finish the year with good results”.

Intense day at the AGR Team. This Saturday, the first races of the MotorLand Aragón Round finished with Taiga Hada in fifth position, Gerard Riu in tenth position, Sam Wilford in eleventh position and Joel Kelso in twentieth position. Although the wind has made riders of all categories suffer, the feelings are positive and they can improve tomorrow in the races. 

The wind and the low temperature on the track were present during the hole day. In Moto2, Taiga Hada decided to be cautious in the first laps due to the weather conditions. After increasing the rhythm, he reached sixth place and starred in he fought with Xavi Cardelús until the last lap. Taiga lost position in the last lap and crossed the finish line in seventh position. Sam Wilford, meanwhile, got a good result his first race with AGR Team. After reached twelfth place and he reduced the gap with Fermín Aldeguer and later with Adam Norrodin. In the last laps he fought with Norrodin for the tenth position, although he was finally overtaken in the last corner and finished eleventh.

In Moto3, Gerard Riu suffered a crash in the Warm Up due to the wind that didn’t let him to give his best. He lost some positions at the start but despite the injuries Riu struggled to keep up the pace and finish the race in tenth position. Finally, Joel Kelso did not make his best start and stayed in the second group. The Australian couldn’t keep a good rhythm throughout the race, although he did show once again that he has the potential to be up front. After fighting with several riders in the final stretch of the test, he crossed the finish line in twentieth position.

In this way, in Moto2 general standing Taiga Hada is fifth with 72 points and Sam Wilford is twelfth with 27 points. In Moto3, Gerard Riu is seventh with 48 points and Joel Kelso twenty-second with 5 points. Tomorrow the remaining races of the weekend will be held. Those of Moto3 will be at 11:00h and 14:00h while those of Moto2 will be at 12:00h and 15:00h.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “The Warm Up has been crazy. In Moto2 the track temperatura vas very low and there wasa lot of wind, so there wasn’t grip. As the track conditions have changed every day it is not easy to get the perfect setting for the race. Both Taiga and Sam had a good race, we preferred to be careful because tomorrow we have two more races. A pity that Cardelús passed Hada in the last corner. Sam did a great race getting to overtake Norrodin, although in the end he overtook him. We have very good hopes to go one step further tomorrow.

In Moto3 it was very different. Gerard crashed in the Warm Up due to a strong gusto f wind and he started to race with pain in his hand and his arm. It was difficult to get the best settin but tomorrow we will try to make him feel better with the bike. Joel has been able to ride fast, but he need more consistency anthough he made fas laps.I am happy, there is potential and tomorrow we will go further in both Moto2 and Moto3 ”.

Taiga Hada 7th: “I'm not used to racing in this wind and I was cautious in the first laps, which made me move away from the group. In the second part of the race I was able to catch up with Cardelús and I finished seventh. With the cold track temperature is difficult to ride because there is no grip. Tomorrow we will start 100% from the first lap to get better results”.

Gerard Riu 10th: “It was a hard day for us because I had an unexpected crash due to the wind. It was very fast and I hurt my arm and hand, but I was able to race. I'm happy for that part, but Ididn’t have the best feelings with the bike. I preferred not to risk because I was not comfortable. We are working to improve tomorrow's setting and with it we will be able to fight for the podium”.

Sam Wilford 11th: “We had a good race today. We made progress and unfortunately lost the 10th place in the final corner on the last lap. For tomorrow I think we can have another 2 strong results in the top 10”. 

Joel Kelso 20th: “We fought a lot to be able to start 19th today, but after some mistakes and fighting with several riders I finished 20th. I had a good rhythm and I was comfortable with the bike. Now we have to focus on the two races tomorrow and improve results”.

The qualifiers at MotorLand Aragón finished with a great job from the AGR Team riders. The day was marked by harsh weather conditions in which the rain was the protagonist and forced the team to give themselves to the fullest. Tomorrow the first two races of the weekend will be held. Taiga Hada and Sam Wilford will start in ninth and thirteenth in Moto2. Gerard Riu and Joel Kelso took seventh and nineteenth positions respectively in the Moto3 category.

In Moto2, the lack of grip has forced Taiga Hada and Sam Wilford to do their best.

Hada finished the first session in ninth position, while Wilford was tenth third. Already in the second session, the Briton has stood out finishing in a creditable fourth position in a qualifier in which hardly any drivers participated due to the intense rain. Taiga Hada, on the other hand, has decided not to participate, securing the ninth position in the grill tomorrow.

In Moto3, both sessions were held in wet conditions. The rain made act of presence at the start of the first qualifier, forcing the team to employ the maximum time to change tires and take as much time as possible to achieve the best record. Gerard Riu achieved the seventh best time in the category. However, a crash in the final stage prevented him from improving the time. Joel Kelso after a difficult first session conditioned by adverse weather conditions and an untimely fall, got the nineteenth best record. Both pilots decided not to go out in the second session so as not to take a risk in a weekend in which they will contest up to three races. Thus, tomorrow they will start from seventh and nineteenth position.

After the warm-up of all categories, the Moto2 race will take place at 12: 00h and the Moto3 at 13: 00h.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): 

“We knew it was going to be a difficult day, we were aware of what we were exposing ourselves with the rain forecasts. In Moto2 the track was cold, there was no good grip and both Taiga and Sam noticed it a lot until it started to rain. In the second session Taiga has decided not to go out because the conditions will not be the same in the tomorrow's race. On the other hand, Sam has gone out to fine tune the bike's setup. It has done very well and can be fast in water. In Moto3 Gerard has done very well in the rain at despite the fall. There have been many falls in the category because the track was very complicated. Joel's crash was also a shame, both the bike and the rider are doing well. This gaining experience in these conditions. We are going to fight for the podium and victory in Moto3 with Gerard and we hope to overcome positions in all categories ”.

Gerard Riu 7º (QP1: 7º / QP2: NC): “It was a rainy day in both sessions. It was one incognito know how we would go in wet conditions, but from the beginning I had good feeling with the bike. Little by little I have tried to follow my own rhythm. I have had a fall that has not let me finish Q1. We will come out seventh and try to take advantage from the first moment to fight for the podium in the three races ”.

Taiga Hada 9º (QP1: 9º / QP2: NC): “Yesterday I finished the day very happy with the set-up. This morning there was no grip on the track and I was not comfortable. When leaving all the pilots at the same time no I was able to do my best lap. Shortly after it started to rain and I couldn't get the Best time. I am aware that he could have gotten a better starting position, but we have three races ahead and I am confident of getting good results this time Weekend".

Sam Wilford 13th (QP1: 13th / QP2: 4th): “It was a strange qualifying session for my. We have more potential than we have shown but the conditions were difficult. Tomorrow is a new day and we have a race. I am convinced that we can improve and I want to see what we are capable of ”.

Joel Kelso 19º (QP1: 19º / QP2: NC): “It has been a difficult day. We knew it was going to rain, but no when. It started right when we went out in the first session, changed tires and went out to have a good time. I tried to get into a good rhythm, but unfortunately I have down and I couldn't get my best lap. Tomorrow we will go out nineteenth and try to overcome positions from the start ”.

AGR Team continues to expand horizons for the 2021 season, together with participation in Moto3 and Moto2, the objective is to also be present in the European Talent Cup, a category in which the youngest members of the FIM CEV Repsol participate. AGR wants to continue training pilots and accompany them from the beginning in competitions.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact us through the email anscari111@hotmail.com sending your personal data and your sports curriculum.

See you soon!

AGR Team has reached an agreement with Sam Wilford to complete the 2020 FIM CEV Repsol season. The 22-year-old British rider will compete in the Moto2 category alongside Taiga Hada in the remaining two rounds of the championship that will take place at MotorLand. Aragon and at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.

Wilford began his career in British championships, becoming Supertwin and RRV450 champion in 2014 and 2015 respectively. He was also proclaimed champion in RRV450 in 2015. After three years in the British Supersport Championship, in 2018 he finished in seventh position and being the best private driver. In 2019 he was third in the British GP2 Championship and made his debut in the FIM CEV Repsol competing in some races as a ‘wild card’. This year he occupies the thirteenth position of the general classification of Moto2.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “He is an English rider who has a track record competing in the British Championship and already has experience in the FIM CEV. He is looking forward to reaching a higher level and fighting to reach the World Cup in the future. This change will be a plus for him and will allow him to improve a lot. We have good expectations, we believe in him and little by little the results will come ”.

Sam Wilford: “I am very excited to finish the season with AGR. It is a very professional team that is giving me the opportunity to improve and achieve the best possible results. The goal is to finish the year strong and improve with each session. It's being a tough championship, but I think we can get good results. I am very grateful to all those who have made it possible for me to have this opportunity ”.

Welcome Sam!

Colors are a hallmark in the world of competition. Each team is linked to colors that are reflected in the fairings, the overalls and even in the box. Now, what about the helmets? Over the years they have become an element through which pilots identify themselves and show their entire personality.

At AGR our Moto3 riders Gerard Riu and Joel Kelso use Kabuto brand helmets. Its original designs are made by Sander Lam. This Dutch graphic designer is the founder of SLGrafics, a company dedicated to the design of competition helmets.

In Onepercent Magazine they have chatted with its owner and tell about the process of creating designs as beautiful as those of our pilots.

You can read the full report here.

Last day of racing at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. Taiga Hada has finished fourth once again after a great race. In the first Moto3 race both Joel Kelso and Gerard Riu did not finish the race. Joel had a crash in the first lap and Gerard had another in the last laps. In the second raceRiu was fourth ans unfortunately Kelso did not participate.

Taiga Hada has made a great performance again in the Moto2 race. Hada has shown his ability to manage races. He kept the pace at all times and waiting for the right moment to overtake his rivals. In the second part of the race he reached fifth position. Lap by lap he fought with Keminth Kubo until he finally he overtook the Thai rider and he crossed the finish line in fourth position.

Gerard Riu made a great start in the first race, reaching the top positions in a few laps. Riu kept pace at all time. Lap by lap he managed to get closer to the first classified or reach podium positions again with the aim of, at least, repeating the result of the previous day. Unfortunately, a mistake in the last laps caused him to crash while he was third. In the second race the Gerard had a new opportunity to get a new podium. He did not miss the leading group at any time. Although it was difficult a difficult race, he worked hard to get ahead and overtake Daniel Holgado to place third. Finally he crossed the finish line in fourth position.

Joel Kelso started from twelfth position after yesterday's spectacular race. The Moto 2 rider came out convinced of making a great performance this Sunday. However, Kelso went to the ground after a touch with another driver on the first lap. There was another chance in race two, but pain in his shoulder and arm prevented him from leaving. Bitter taste for the Australian, who had done a great job together with the team all weekend.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “Taiga made a great race today, going faster than on Saturday. He has improved his riding style and he had made a step forward. Joel could have made a great race but a rider threw him on the first lap. Luckily he has not major injuries, but even so he has not been able to start the second race due to pain. Gerard had a great first race, although without a happy ending due to the crash. In the second race he had a better setup and he fought until the end for the podium, but finally he couldn’t reach it. I'm happy with the weekend's work and we're already thinking about the next races in Aragon”.

Taiga Hada (4th): “It was not a bad start, although it wasn’t as good as yesterday. The bike was going very well. Today there was a very high rhythm during the race and I fought with Kubo and Medina until finally I overtook Kubo to get fourth position. At that time I pushed to reach Medina but the tires weren’t in the best conditions to do it. I preferred to keep my position although I improved my times. Anyway I’m happy with the results”.

Gerard Riu (R1: NC / R2: 4th): “Today was a bit difficult. In the first race I felt good but I did not have the perfect feeling with the bike. It was difficult for me to keep up and I pushed to the maximum, but I made a small mistake and I went to the ground. Luckily we managed to identify the problem, solve it  for the second race. With three laps remaining, I tried to get a good position to fight for the podium and that's how it was, but at the last corner I made a small mistake and lost third position. Due to that I'm not quite happy with today's performance. I want to apologize to the team because we did not deserve that failure, but for the next race we will be giving one hundred percent”.

Joel Kelso (R1: NC / R2: NC): “Ifelt very strong and confident for fighting in the front group and I had a good start in the first corners. Unfortunately one rider came and contact with me. I crashed and this ended the race. I couldn’t start the second race but anyway I’m happy with the work of the team this weekend. We will return stronger in Aragon”.

After this weekend, Taiga Hada is fifth in the Moto2 general standing with 63 points. In Moto3, Gerard Riu is seventh with 42 points and Joel Kelso twenty-second with 5 points. The next appointment will be at MotorLand Aragón, 3rd – 4 th October.

• Full results Moto2
• Full results Moto3
• Moto2 general  classification
• Moto3 general  classification

The day could not have been more positive for the team in Jerez. The riders have achieved the best results since the championship began. Gerard Riu has reached the podium for the first time after finishing in third position. Taiga Hada was fourth in Moto2 and Joel Kelso crossed the finish line in eleventh position, getting his first points in the championship.

In Moto2, Taiga Hada made a great start overtaking from tenth to fourth. The Japanese held the position and tried to reach Niki Tuuli, who was in third place. Hada kept the rhythm during the 16 laps ending fourth. It’s his best result  this year. 

In Moto3, Gerard Riu was in the leading group since the race started and he waited for the best moment to overtake his opponents. Riu has had one of its best performances of the season. The AGR pilot pushed until the end fighting for the victory. He did not miss any opportunity, crossing the finish line in third position and achieving his first podium of the season. 

Joel Kelso had technical problems before starting that caused him to start from the last position of the grid. Kelso showed his full potential to overtake position. He finally crossed the finish line in eleventh position after a spectacular race. The Australian got points for the first time. He got a very positive result after the intense work that both the rider and the team have done during the week.

Taiga Hada is fifth in Moto2 general standing. In Moto3, Gerard Riu is sixth with 29 points and Joel Kelso is eighteenth with five points. Tomorrow the last races of the weekend will be held. Moto3 races will be at At 11:00h and at 14:00h. Moto2 race will be at 13:00 p.m.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “With Taiga we have been working all weekend ahead of the race. We knew that the temperatura in the Warm Up was too low and we have tried other things then. He made a great start and kept a very good rhythm. He has done an amazing race and I am sure that tomorrow it will turn out the same way. In Moto3 both riders have done a great job. Joel had a problem and he had to start at the end of the grid because they had already closed the pit lane. He started last and he finished on theeleventh position. It is a very good result. He's talented and he's going to get good results. Gerard Riu's podium is the first of many. Tomorrow we are going to fight for the victory. We hope to be able to come out with more podium. The whole team has done a great job. It has been a great day”.

Gerard Riu 3rd: “It is the first podium of the season and I am very happy with how the race went. From the beginning it was a tough race because there were many riders in the lead group. I was able to manage it well and finish in third position. The team's work has been very hard throughout the weekend. I want to thank them, my family and sponsors”.

Taiga Hada 4th: “I made a good start and in the first laps I pushed hard until I got to fourth place. I have tried to approach Tuuli and follow him, but I have not succeeded. Still, I have learned a lot going after him. We will try to make better results during qualifying sessions. It was a very difficult race but I'm still very happy with the result. Tomorrow we will give it everything again”.

Joel Kelso 11th: It was a mixture of emotions because we had mechanical problems before leaving the pit lane and it forced me to start from the back of the grid. I knew how to stay calm and I decides to try my best. It's a good result, but luckily tomorrow we will start from qualifying position and we can make a better race and fight for top 10. We need to continue working in this way”.

• Full results  Moto2
• Full results  Moto3
• Full schedules

The team have finished qualifying sessions today in Jerez. There will be five races this weekend: two of Moto2 and three of Moto3. Gerard Riu and Joel Kelso have achieves their best results in a quaifying sessions this year. Riu got the fifht and Kelso got the fourteenth. Taiga Hada will start from tenth position tomorrow. 

During the first Moto2 session, the strategy was to keep keep the tires for the second session getting the ninth position. During the second qualifying practice Taiga wanted to improve the result because the temperature was higher. After solving an electronic problem, the japanese rider got the eight position. Tomorrow we will start from tenth place.

Gerard Riu showed, once again, that he has the potential to fight for the victory. He got the fifht best result during the first qualifying session. Riu worked with his teammate but unfortunately he had a crash. Due to it, he could’t improve the time and he finished the twentieth. Tomorrow we will start from the second row, in fifth position. 

Joel Kelso has made great progresses today. The Australian has achieved the twelfth best time during the first session, his best result since the begining of the season. Kelso has shown that he has rhythm and he can improve more. He finished twenty-fifth in the second session and he will start the fourteenth tomorrow.

Gerard Riu 5th (QP1: 5th / QP2: 20th) 1:46.921: “Today was a positive day for us, getting the fifth position for the starting grid. Although I had better feelings yesterday the result is good. I had a crash during QP1, but tomorrow I will give my best since the begining. The team is doing a great job. We have found a good setting for tomorrow and we will fight for the podium”.

Taiga Hada 10th (QP1: 9th / QP2: 8th) 1:44.402: “In the first session the tire suffered a lot and we decided to keep them for the second session. In the QP2 we had a problem with the shifter. The team solved it and we tried to improve the result with new tires. I am very happy with the setting and I am sure that tomorrow we will have a good race”.

Joel Kelso 14th (QP1: 12th / QP2: 25th) 1:47.391: “The first session was very good and we were focused on getting a good feeling with the bike. I worked with Gerard and other riders looking for the best lap. I am happy with how the day has gone. It’s the result of all the hard work that we have done since we arrived. Tomorrow we start fourteenth and we will fight to stay in the front group”.

• Full results Moto2
• Full results Moto3
• Full schedules

The FIM CEV Repsol faces the third round of the calendar at the Circuito de Jerez - Ángel Nieto. Gerard Riu set the fastest time of the day in the Moto3 class during the free practice sessions.

Gerard Riu, Joel Kelso and Taiga Hada have worked hard to get the best results each day despite the heat. In Moto2, Hada finished both sessions in fourth and seventh position. In Moto3, Riu finished first and second, getting the best result of the category. Joel Kelso has finished thirty-first and thirty-second.

The qualifying sessions will take place tomorrow. Moto2 will be at 9:00h. and 12:00h while Moto3 will be at 9:50 a.m. and 12:50 p.m. The first races of the weekend will be held on Saturday. Moto2 will be at 12: 00 and Moto3 at 13: 00h. This weekend we will also have races on Sunday: will be held on Sunday: two of Moto3 (11:00h and 14:00) and one of Moto2 (13:00h).

• Moto2 general  classification
• Moto3 general  classification
• Full schedules

Feelings couldn’t be more positive this weekend at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. Taiga Hada made two impressive races in Portimao although the conditions weren’t the best. Gerard Riu didn’t get the result he expected despite giving his best. Joel Kelso progresses fast in his adaptation to Moto3, fighting at every moment and always improving the results in the race.

Once again Taiga Hada got his best results during the last day. In the first race, the Japanese was focused on overtaking positions. After the first laps he was already in ninth place and very close to the eighth. As happened in Estoril, Hada fought with Adam Norrodin for the fifth place but this time he couldn’t beat him and he finished sixth.

In the second race the Moto2 rider made a great start and he reached seventh place on the first lap. After a great battle with Lukas Tulovic he finished in seventh position. It was a very a satisfactory weekend for Taiga.

Gerard Riu didn’t have his best day in Portimao. At the start he was overtaken by several riders after a touch in the first corners and he was forced to overtake from the fourteenth position. He got back the feelings despite having problems with the tyres. Although he had good rhythm he couldn’t reach the leading group. Finally, Riu took eighth place and he is focused on improving the results in Jerez.

Joel Kelso overtook positions again. The Australian is more and more comfortable on the bike each day, which is showed in the results. Lap by lap he got to the nineteenth position but he couldn’t get a better one because the group was divided. He crossed the finish line twentieth. Kelso has shown once again that he is able to score points in the next race.

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “I’m satisfied with the work of the three riders. Taiga has had two great races today. In the first race he has achieved the best time of the weekend and he got a very good rhythm. This is the result of all the work he does. Gerard didn’t get a good result and the starting position wasn’t the best. If you look at his rhythm and the time he has made, you can see that he can fight for the victory but today was not the day. Joel has had an incredible progression since the first day. We are working hard and it is being showed in every race. Both he and I are sure that at the end of the season we will be very well positioned. We are going to go for all in Jerez.”

Taiga Hada (R1: 6º / R2: 7º): “I noticed tireness today, especially during the warm up but I was convinced that we could get good results in the races. I had my best feelings with the bike in the second half of the race when the tank was more empty. In the second race the same thing happened and I also had better feelings with the front. I want to thank the support of all my sponsors and the team's work. The results have been very good and I’m sure that we will arrive to Jerez even more motivated.”

Gerard Riu 8º: “I’ve suffered today. I had a touch at turn 3 with another rider and I’ve had to overtake some positions. It was very difficult for me in the first laps because I felt the grip with the new tyre wasn’t good. During the race I had a good rhythm but I couldn’t reach them. I’m convinced we can get good results and we’re focused on the next race in Jerez.”

Joel Kelso 20º: “The race today went not so bad. Unfortunately we didn’t get to show all our potential. The times were good and I feel very comfortable on the bike. We’ve made a big step this weekend from the first round. We’ll come back in Jerez stronger and better.”

COMPLETE RESULTS

• Moto2 – Race 1
• Moto2 – Race 2
• Moto3 – Race

COMPLETE RESULTS

• Moto2
• Moto3

Four years later, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve once again hosts a test of the FIM CEV Repsol. The AGR Team riders have disputed during this day the qualifying sessions to determine the starting order of the races on Sunday. The heat and the lack of rest between the previous round and this one have forced the riders to make an extra effort to get the best setup for the race. Very positive feelings from the three riders to face the second and last event in Portugal.

The feelings of Gerard Riu's work are once again positive. The seventh position obtained in the first session shows that he has the rhythm to be in the leading group. In the second qualifying round the pace was slower, conditioned by the high temperatures, obtaining the fifteenth record. The Catalan will leave the ninth place. The goal is to get off to a good start and get to the top positions as soon as possible to fight, at least, for the podium.

Taiga Hada's work has focused on both sessions for the race. The lack of running in to be able to understand the behavior of the bike on a new track for him and as technical as the one in Portimao, as well as the high temperatures have been two conditions that he had to face. However, the result does not reflect the work obtained, since in both sessions he finished in eleventh position, occupying this position on the grid tomorrow. Hada has more than enough pace to be able to climb positions and perform well.

Joel Kelso continues to advance by leaps and bounds. His physical condition is a point in his favor in this circuit, where the demand is maximum. In the first session he finished in twenty-seventh position, a little behind if we look at the Australian's work with the team to find the best configuration of the bike. It was in second qualifying when the best results were seen, getting the eighteenth fastest time. In this way, tomorrow he will start from 25th position, with many expectations of going back up positions in the race and with options to score.

Gerard Riu 9º (QP1: 7º / QP2: 15º) 1:49.907: “We started in the third row, a position that is not bad for tomorrow. Today I have not had the best feelings, but even so they have been positive. With the bike's setting and the gap I found, I was able to do a good lap in the morning. On the other hand, in the afternoon he had to suffer with the heat. The circuit is complicated but the team is doing a great job. We have a good set-up on the bike and we have things clear to try to get out and stick with the leading group. We will try to fight for the podium ”.

Taiga Hada 11º (QP1: 11º / QP2: 11º) 1:47.647: “In QP1 we worked on a simulated race to see which tire to use, whether the soft or the intermediate. I am happy with the QP2 because we have made a better setup of the bike and the changes have worked. I rode at a faster pace than in the first session, which gives me more confidence. It is a difficult circuit on a physical level, but we will come out ready to fight to the fullest in both races ”.

Joel Kelso 25º (QP1: 27º / QP2: 18º) 1:51.106: “I felt comfortable with the bike in the first session, but we couldn't find the correct line. I think the position does not reflect the work we have done today. I am satisfied with the work of the second qualifying because, despite the heat, I improved the times. I congratulate the team because we are working hard to be able to climb positions in the race.

FULL TIMES

• Moto2
• Moto3

Tomorrow the races will be held after the Warm Up. In the Moto2 category, two races will be held, at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm (local time). The Moto3 test will be at 1:00 p.m.

SCHEDULE

Without any rest after Estoril AGR riders are already at the Autodromo International do Algarve to race the second round of the calendar. After a successful debut Taiga Hada, Gerard Riu and Joel Kelso face this weekend with the target of improving the last results.

Taiga Hada, after her eighth and sixth place in Estoril, seeks to keep up the rhythm in both Moto2 races. The Japanese has shown that he can fight for the top positions in the standings. 

Gerard Riu knows that he can fight for the victory in each race. He could only be eleventh after a crash. Riu and the team are confident of getting a great result this weekend.

Joel Kelso showed a great improvement in the race going up almost ten positions despite initial feeling weren’t the best.  The Australian continues with his adaptation to the bike and the championship. He is ready to go one step further and improve the results in Portimao.

Hada is seventh in the Moto2 overall standing with 18 points. In Moto3, Gerard Riu is eleventh with 5 points, while Kelso failed to get into scoring positions.

GENERAL STANDING: 

• Moto2
• Moto3

Free practice will be held tomorrow. The qualifying sessions will be held on Sunday: Moto3 will be at 9:35 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. (local time), while Moto2 will be at 11:15 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. After the Warm Up, the Moto2 races will take place on Monday at 11:00 and at 14:00. The Moto3 race will be held at 1:00 p.m.

FULL SCHEDULE

The most awaited moment has arrived with the celebration of the first races of the championship. Exciting debut of our riders at the FIM CEV Repsol. Taiga Hada stood out this Tuesday getting a sixth and eighth position in Moto2 races. 

Taiga Hada has been the most regular AGR rider in Portugal. Starting from the tenth place in the first race he made a good start overtaking some riders until getting to the fifth position. The high rhythm of the leading riders caused him to go back and face Adam Norrodin for the eighth position. He could have been overtaken by the Malaysian but Taiga won him in the last corner. 

In the second race Hada knew how to improve his riding and he understood better the way to ride the bike. He reduced distances with the rivals, reaching a group formed by Xavi Cardelús, Alejandro Medina and Piotr Biesiekirski and fighting for fourth position. Despite trying, he failed to get the place, although he finished in a satisfactory sixth position.

Gerard Riu faced the race in the same way as the previous days. From the moment the traffic light went out he was determined to win the race. In just a few laps he was the leader. However, with a few laps to go, a crash relegated him to fourteenth place but Gerard was able to continue anf fight  to recover. Riu was passind his rivals until he finally he crossed the finish line in eleventh position. 

Joel Kelso had his best day in Estoril and he found better feelings on the bike. The hard work of these days was finally showed in the only race in the category. The Australian, who started from the last rows, began to overtake the rivals until finally he finished in twenty-first position.

CLASSIFICATION BY RACES:

• Race 1 Moto2
• Race 2 Moto2
• Race Moto3

Anscari Nadal (Team Manager): “It has been a very good start for the team this year. We are competitive in Moto3 and Moto2. In Moto3 we will fight for the championship and in Moto2 we will fight for being into top 5. It was a pity Gerard’s crash because we had a chance of winning the race. Taiga has taken a step forward in terms of riding. He undertands the bike much better and it has been seen that he had a rhythm to win the race. It was the first time that Joel was on this circuit, in this championship and on this bike, so I cant not ask anything else. I’m happy with his performance.”

Taiga Hada (R1: 8º / R2: 6º): “It was the first race of the season on a new circuit for me, so eighth place is a good result. Also, I fought with Norrodin until the last corner and I beat him. However, I didn’t ride with the rhythm that we would have liked, but in the second race I have achieved that rhythm and if the race had been a little longer I think I could have been further ahead. I want to thank my team and my sponsors for believing in me.”

Gerard Riu 11º: “We have a bittersweet taste with the first race of the year. We have been strong throughout the weekend and have done a great job. I was able to start well and stay in the leading group. This was the goal along with maintaining the position to get to the podium. I made a small mistake and it cost me the crash, but luckily I was able to get back on track and pick up good rhythm again. I look forward to the next race because we already know that we can fight for the championship and be ahead of every race.”

Joel Kelso 21º: “In the warm up we have gone one step further with the bike. The race was difficult due to the heat and because there were many falls, but I enjoyed the bike and I overtook positions. We have improved the bike during the whole weekend and we have learned a lot. Ihope for better results in Portimao.”

After three months stopped due to the pandemic, FIM CEV Repsol has finally started at Estoril circuit in Portugal. Free Practices took place on Saturday and Sunday, and Qualifying sessions for the first round were held today. The lack of training during the preseason has not been a problem to show a good performance by Gerard Riu and Taiga Hada. Joel Kelso will need to overtake positions.

Today Gerard Riu has made clear that he will be one of the candidates to fight for the Moto3 Championship. Riu is decided to not give any opportunity to his rivals. After achieving the tenth fastest time in the first qualifying practice, the target in the second qualifying was to get the best lap in the last minutes. Therefore, Riu finished the session with the best time. He will start in sixth place, but his performance today was a declaration of intent that he will be fighting for victory from the first lap.

Taiga Hada, meanwhile, has been very comfortable since the beginning. After some problems in the first session, he finished tenth. However, in the second qualifying Hada made a better session. This has allowed him to improve the rhythm and to reduce the gap with the leading riders, achieving the seventh best position. In this way, after the combination of times, tomorrow will take up the tenth position on the starting grid.

Finally, the Australian Joel Kelso has had a complicated start to the championship. Despite a crash because of some oil was on the track during Saturday's free practice, he has been working hard with the team to find the best feelings with the bike. The twentieth eighth place of the first session was his best result today. In the second qualifying practice the heat has taken its toll on the riders and has forced them to slow down, for this reason Joel will start tomorrow from the thirtieth position.

Tomorrow will take place the most expected moment: the first races of the 2020 FIM CEV Repsol season. Warm Up sessions will start at 9:00 a.m. (local time). Moto2 races will be at 12:00 and at 2:00 p.m. As for Moto3, they will play a single race at 1:00 p.m.

Gerard Riu 6º (QP1: 10º / QP2: 1º) 1:44.939: “Today was a very positive day fo rus. I didn’t have the same feeling riding the bike than yesterday but we’ve improved. On the second session we fecused on working for the race and looking for a fast lap at the end. Despite the hot weather I felt really good. We only have to solve some details and I will be fighting for the victory tomorrow. I want to thank my team for all the hard work.”

Taiga Hada 10º (QP1: 10º / QP2: 7º) 1:42.247: “I wasn’t very happy with the bike in the first session because I was uncomfortable with the front of the bike in some turns. In the second session we made some changes on the set up and with the tyres that made me get a better result. I have good feelings, a very good rhythm and I think we can make a nice race tomorrow.”

Joel Kelso 30º (QP1: 28º / QP2: 33) 1:46.736: “It was a difficult start this weekend because yesterday we had some problems on track. We have been working well as a team and we have improved in each session. I felt comfortable on the bike during the first qualifying. The second qualifying was very hot and I tried my best but the result was only a thirty third position. Anyway, we are working very well as a team and I’m focused on the race. We’ll keep improving.”

With this press release we start the new AGR Racing Team project. A new project, but based on the values that Karlos Arguiñano showed us. We hope to continue on the path of work that have made this team great. 

AGR Team, in full organization of the sports project for this season, will have Gerard Riu as a new addition to face the FIM CEV Repsol. The Barcelona rider, who was already part of our structure last year, returns to the squad and will fight for the title in the Moto3 category. Riu already had a great season last year, touching the podium on several occasions. In addition, last September he made his debut in the World Championship thanks to a wild card at the event held at MotorLand Aragón, where he fought for points until the last lap. The young driver took the opportunity to show his full potential.

Anscari Nadal, AGR Team Manager, is “delighted to have Gerard Riu as he is a rider with great potential. We hope we can be fighting for the title from the first race in Portugal ”. On the other hand, Gerard also expresses his joy to be part of this team again and what the objectives are for the season: “It was a last minute decision, but I am very happy to be part of AGR again. I think we have a good bike and a good team to be up front and we are going to work towards it from the first race. It's a year with different circumstances, but let's hope that everything goes back to normal and we can enjoy a good championship ”.

In this way, Gerard Riu becomes the third rider to join the team. Together with the Australian Joel Kelso in Moto3 and the Japanese Taiga Hada in Moto2, he is conforming an exciting project to carry out the championship that will begin next July 4th in Estoril. Due to the situation caused by COVID-19, from AGR we are waiting to know how and in what way Taiga Hada and Joel Kelso will arrive in time for the tests and the first test, since the evolution of the pandemic is still uncertain.

Now is the time to step aside and enjoy motorcycles as fans. After almost a decade linked to professional motorcycling, winning races in the World Championship, achieving pole positions in Moto2 and with two European Championships in our showcases, it is time to close this stage.

But we leave our legacy in good hands. We have reached an agreement with Anscari Nadal, technical head of our team and owner from now on, with the aim of keeping the project in force and competing in the FIM CEV Repsol at the highest level. They will race under the name AGR Team and will have two riders: the Japanese Taiga Hada in Moto2 and the Australian Joel Kelso in Moto3.

From Baiko Racing Team we want to thank you all for the love and support you have given us during these years. And even if a new stage begins, we will always be a family.

PONS HAS ACHIEVED 7 OF THE 11 POSSIBLE WINS

This morning in Valencia we have put an end to a memorable season. A year that started in April with the aim of achieving a title, and today at the Ricardo Tormo de Cheste circuit it has closed with a championship and victory.

Edgar Pons has once again demonstrated why he has been the best Moto2 rider. Beyond his 7 victories and his dominance in most of them, reading him in each race has been masterful. And as it shows, the victory that he has reaped today. Throughout the weekend he has had problems with his back, which have prevented him from riding comfortably in the official qualifying. In the race he understood that patience could be decisive and after following Garzo throughout the test, on the last lap he overtook him, finishing the season in style. Victory and celebration of the championship as the culmination in Valencia. Insuperable.

On his side, Brandon Paasch continued his positive evolution and finished 12th. A very important advance if we take into account that this weekend was his first time on a Moto2. Great job!

And in Moto3, we have risen with the confirmation of the resignation of Iñigo Iglesias. Bad news that forced the Basque rider to finish the season early after his crash yesterday. Although Gerard Riu has offered us a great comeback in the first race of the day. Starting from 23rd position, he was able to move into the leading group and finish 10th after several spectacular overtakes. The cross has arrived in the second test, where he has suffered a fall, without consequences for the pilot, but that has not allowed him to rejoin.

As a closing to this last chronicle of the season, we can only thank you for the love and support that you have shown at all times. You are special! You are part of the Baiko Racing Team family!

Edgar Pons 1: “Very happy to end the season like this. It was a difficult weekend due to back pain, but the race ended well. We knew Garzo was going to shoot, I got behind him and I knew how to read the race. My moment was in the last lap in sector 2. I waited for the opportunity and I anticipated it. It has been a pleasure to live such a season with a team like this. I want to thank all the members of the team because they have helped me grow in my sports career ”.

Brandon Paasch 12th: “Sunday started badly with a crash during the Warm up. Fortunately, the team was able to put the bike back together for the race. At the beginning of the test, I went from 16th to 9th on the first lap, but couldn't keep up with the leading group. I spent most of the race fighting for 12th place and although I was close to the top 5, I didn't have the pace to catch up with them. Overall, I am happy with my first Moto2 race. I want to thank everyone who has made this opportunity possible and I hope I can return soon ”.

Gerard Riu (Race 1: 10th / Race 2: Retired): “It was a bittersweet Sunday. In the Warm Up and the first race I had a good feeling, advancing positions until finishing 10th after several touches. And in the second I was going up until a fall has come. It feels bad to finish the season like this when we all believed in our chances of seeing ourselves in the front group in all the events. I want to apologize to the team for this bad weekend ”.

PONS WILL START FROM THE 2ND POSITION AND PAASCH FROM THE 16TH

November and Valencia is synonymous with the end of the season. A weekend that serves to see the complete evolution of the team in general and of each pilot in particular, and in our case, to enjoy the title won in Albacete with Edgar Pons. A success that we will share with all the fans at the end of the race, but that will have an even more special flavor if we achieve the objectives set for these races at the Ricardo Tormo de Cheste Circuit.

Edgar Pons didn't get pole, but tomorrow's front row of him knows us at first place. The Catalan rider has suffered intense pain in his back throughout the weekend, which is preventing him from giving his 100% on the track. Despite these physical problems, he, together with the team, has been able to find a suitable setting that will allow him to close the season tomorrow with options to get on the podium, and why not, dream of a new victory. The new face for our team has been Brandon Paasch. A rider who passed

Today has been a historic day for our team and for our rider Edgar Pons. For the second time for both of us, we have achieved a title in the FIM CEV Repsol, in the Moto2 category. A hard-worked, long-suffering success that, after the victory in the first race of the day in Albacete, has become a reality.

Edgar Pons arrived on Sunday full of confidence, with a large cushion of points, but with the tension typical of a historic day in his professional career. But his response during the first race was impeccable. He dominated the test from start to finish, setting a very demanding pace for the rest of the grid and that has led him to add a special victory. His sixth win of the year and the one that has certified the European Championship. Jumps, smiles, tears of happiness and above all, a feeling of satisfaction in the entire team for a job well done.

In Valencia he will have to celebrate, once the season is over. But seeing the Paddock with our family chanting the Catalan rider has become one of the historic moments for our team. Also note that Taiga Hada was unable to take part in today's races. And it is that after yesterday's hard fall and in the absence of new tests, the Japanese will have to undergo surgery to fix his wrist.

In Moto3 we have seen Gerard Riu with rhythm, but diminished by his wrist pain. His departure has allowed him to stay in the leading group, but with the passage of laps the discomfort has increased, preventing us from seeing the best version of our rider. He finished 9th just three seconds behind the winner, Alcoba. On the other hand, Iñigo Iglesias has not been able to take the test this morning. A hard crash during the warm up, with no physical consequences for the Basque rider, seriously damaged the bike and it was impossible to get it ready for the race.

Now there are a few weeks off, but in November we will close the season with the last races in Valencia. An opportunity to celebrate the title of Edgar Pons and why not, dream of a podium in Moto3. Congratulations team!

Edgar Pons 1st (R1: 1st / R2: NC): “I am very happy with the development of the season. Winning the championship and how we did it makes me finish very satisfied. Above all I want to thank the team because since I arrived last year, we have been working a lot with Anscari, the mechanics and the rest of the staff to improve. We have changed the setting and my way of riding to make this title possible. I want to thank the entire Baiko Racing Team and dedicate this success to them. Now there is one race left in Valencia and my goal is to finish the season winning ”.

Gerard Riu 9th: “It was a very fought race and we were clear from the beginning that this development was going to take place. We knew that it could cost me because of the pain in my wrist and it has been. In the second part of the test I had difficulties to consolidate overtaking in the leading group and although I saw myself with rhythm, the pain has diminished me. Under the circumstances it has not been a bad day. I want to thank the whole team and I am already looking forward to running the last event of the year in Valencia ”.

IN MOTO3, GERARD RIU WILL SEARCH FOR THE PODIUM FROM 7TH POSITION

The last appointments of the calendar arrive, those destined to decide who is the best driver in each championship or which driver has taken a step forward during the season. And Albacete, the only FIM CEV Repsol event that we have in October, could become historic for our team if Edgar Pons manages to win the European Championship. At the moment, in the day dedicated to the official timed, both Pons and the rest of the Moto2 and Moto3 riders have left very good feelings for tomorrow.

Pole was once again in Moto2 for Edgar Pons. Our rider has dominated both sessions of the day, setting his best lap in the morning, and aims to look for double wins on Sunday. Garzo and Montella finished very close to our driver, which indicates that tomorrow we will have very exciting races. And Taiga Hada, despite finishing 17th, will not race tomorrow. A hard crash at turn five during QP2 due to a faulty connecting rod has resulted in the Japanese driver being taken to hospital. He is fine, but everything points to a fracture in his wrist. Cheer up!

He will start very close to the points area and within his process of adapting to the category, the sensations that he is offering are unbeatable.

And in Moto3, we have seen how Gerard Riu has returned to his usual line. Having overcome the problems in his wrist that prevented him from competing in Jerez, the Catalan rider will start tomorrow from 7th position. His goal: to get on the podium for the first time of the season. For his part, Iñigo Iglesias will try to come back and get closer to the points area. He will start from 24th place, despite showing good feelings in QP2. He will have to come out strong and connect with the leading group.

Tomorrow we will have 3 races. Two in Moto2, which will be raced at 11:00 and 14:00, and the Moto3 at 12:00. Good luck team!

Edgar Pons 1st (QP1: 1st / QP2: 1st) 1: 32.074: “Today has been a very positive day for me. We got pole position for tomorrow and not just because of the good rhythm. I think Sunday looks good. It is going to be a very hot day, something that has not been the case over the weekend. I am very happy with the sensations and looking forward to the races. It is a very important day for all of us as we have the championship in our hands. Finally, I want to thank the team for all that they are supporting me ”.

Taiga Hada 17th (QP1: 17th / QP2: 15th) 1: 34.034: “I arrived in Albacete feeling good and I think that in QP1 I was able to show my level, finishing 17th. But in the second I suffered a hard fall and I will not be able to race tomorrow ”.

Gerard Riu 7th (QP1: 7th / QP2: 13th) 1: 34.575: “It was a positive day for me. We finished 7th and I have options for everything. Tomorrow we will try to do our best. We have been saving energy all weekend, as I still have pain from the Jerez fracture, but I will try to fight for the podium ”.

Iñigo Iglesias 24º (QP1: 22º / QP2: 18º) 1: 35.425: “It has been a day to find sensations since it has been two days of hard training for me. I have taken it quietly, working on the team and on my possibilities. I have focused on lap by lap and finding a good setting for tomorrow. I think we can have a good race tomorrow even though we started late, but I am confident that I will have a good start. My goal is to try to finish in the points ”.

TACKLE THE LAST 3 RACES OF THE SEASON WITH 53 LEAD POINTS

A racing Sunday that makes anyone smile. Returning to the competition is always a reason for joy and to do so with a victory, even more so. Yesterday we saw how Edgar Pons had not found the feeling with his bike, but that he posed a beautiful battle between the fastest in Moto2. But today's victory, which brings him closer and closer to the long-awaited championship, shows him as a driver who handles himself under any circumstance.

It was a great race from start to finish. Although it seemed that Garzo and Montella could have more rhythm during the weekend. Getting the tire choice right has been a key to keep in mind. He has even surprised the whole team with the performance they have offered, which added to the mentality and talent of Pons, has led to a victory more than two seconds behind his pursuers.

Regarding Taiga Hada, his debut has been fantastic. We must not forget that it is his first experience with a moto2 and also his debut on the Andalusian track, and his response has been really good all three days. He has had a rhythm and it has served him to assess the difficulty of this category. And surely in Albacete it will give us more reasons to be happy. His 12th place has been very positive, in addition to starting in the team in an excellent way. Nice job!

In Moto3, Gerard Riu has not been able to shine due to his wrist problems. His pains over the weekend foreshadowed some very difficult races, but the brave Catalan rider took to the track in the morning race, finishing 17th. In the afternoon, the team decided to avoid risks and not take part in the test. His next objective, to seek victory in a few days in Albacete. On his part, Iñigo Iglesias crashed in the first race, in an accident without personal consequences, but with the bike seriously damaged. In the second, he gave a very good version finishing 19th and very close to the points area.

Now come a few days of rest before visiting Albacete. A key appointment in the calendar and where we aspire to get on the podium in both categories.

Edgar Pons 1st: “The race has been very positive. We knew it was going to be a highly contested race because Garzo and Montella had more pace than us. I suffered a bit more in the first laps, but when Garzo and I stayed, we had a more tactical race. He was not being fast in the fourth sector and I decided to observe how Hector drove in that sector, especially turns 9 and 10. And with 5 laps remaining, I managed to overtake him and pull to make a difference. It was complicated, but we go away with a victory. I'm very happy with the team's work and now it's time to think about Albacete ”.

Taiga Hada 12th: “My first weekend in Jerez has been very difficult. In the Warm Up we changed the suspension and the feeling was very good at the end of the session. In the race, I came out decisively. The pace was not as high as I expected and finishing 12th I think is positive. In Albacete, I will seek to take a step forward ”.

Gerard Riu (R1: 17th / R2: NC): “It was a difficult day. I tried to start in the first one, the pace was not bad, but we were very far from the head. In the second I tried again, but it hurt too much. For this reason, we have decided to go in and focus on the next race ”.

Iñigo Iglesias (R1: NC / R2: 19th): “It has been a bittersweet weekend. Although both on Friday and Saturday I felt comfortable, in the races I have not offered my best version. In the first race I made a good start, but in the second lap I hit the ground. In the second race I fought, despite the temperature conditions on the track, and I finished 19th. I would like to thank the whole team for the effort they have made to repair my bike from one race to the next, as it has ended up quite damaged ”.

IN MOTO2, TAIGA HADA DEBUTS AND WILL SEEK TO ADD THE FIRST POINTS FROM THE 18TH PLAZA

After a long pattern during the summer months, and despite last week's wild card at Motorland with Gerard Riu, our team has fully started up again in Jerez to face the decisive stretch of the season. Weeks that have served to recharge batteries and plan with their technicians how the weekend should be in Andalusia. And today, the day of the official qualifiers, we have experienced different situations.

Once again, the driver of the day was Edgar Pons, who will start from 3rd position. But his two sessions have not been easy. In both he has set the third best time, but the lack of rhythm due to the weeks of rest has prevented him from feeling completely comfortable on the track. Despite everything, and with the decisiveness of this race in his chances of winning the championship before arriving in Valencia, Pons has remained calm and competitive. Also in Moto2 our latest incorporation was released: Taiga Hada. The Japanese rider has offered good feelings throughout the day and in his debut at the FIM CEV Repsol he will be looking for points from 18th place.

And in Moto3, heads and tails. Gerard Riu suffered a fall on Friday that prevented him from riding comfortably and despite the pain in his wrist, he finished with the 23rd fastest time. For his part, Iñigo Iglesias ended the day with a smile. Although he will start from 25th position, he is only one second behind the poleman and if he goes well tomorrow, he will be able to join the groups that choose to score points.

Tomorrow we will have 3 races. Two in Moto3, which will start at 11:00 and 14:00, and the Moto2 at 13:00.

Edgar Pons 3rd (QP1: 3rd / QP2: 3rd) 1: 42.910: “It was a difficult Saturday because we haven't finished finding the feeling very well. He has been a very long man and when you have been around for so long, he shows. Tomorrow I think it will be a group race. I want to fight and I have to run with my head. I am fighting for the title and I must be smart. Both Garzo and Montella and I have a similar rhythm ”.

Gerard Riu 23rd (QP1: 23rd / QP2: 23rd) 1: 47.387: “Yesterday I had a strong fall and my wrist is quite touched. I have a hard time braking hard and making quick movements. I am quite far behind although we have not wanted to take excessive risks. Tomorrow we will see how I feel, in what conditions I am to go out, but my idea is to try ”.

Iñigo Iglesias 25th (QP1: 25th / QP2: 17th) 1: 47.552: “It has been a positive day. Together with my technician Albert we have made a good setting of the bike. In official qualifying I finished 25th, one second behind the poleman, but with room for improvement. We have worked well and I see myself with rhythm. It will be very important to make a good start and place ourselves in a group at the top ”.

FINISHED IN 19TH POSITION AFTER A GOOD RACE

Exciting racing Sunday for Gerard Riu at Motorland. After a weekend where our rider has been growing from session to session, Sunday's day has served to see the best version of him and that he could show his full potential. He finished 19th, close to the points, and with signs that this weekend is much more than a prize or an experience.

The day got off to a good start since the Warm Up. Despite the wet conditions on the track, Gerard Riu has done everything right from the start. He finished 17th, but at times he was tenth in the last training session prior to the race. Without a doubt, the best display of confidence for the race. And in the test, he has gone from less to more.

Although he failed to gain positions at the start, after the first lap he set his pace to grow in the race. He has managed to connect with the group that was struggling to access the points area, and there, we have seen our rider in his purest form. Overtakings, spectacular knockdowns and an emotion that lasted until the last straight of the Aragonese track. He finally finished in 19th position, but has shown signs of being comfortable under the demands of the World Cup.

Next week our team returns to normal activity with the FIM CEV Repsol. In this case, it moves to Jerez and both in Moto2 and Moto3, the aspirations are maximum. In addition, we will have the debut of Taiga Hada as a partner of Edgar Pons.

Gerard Riu 19th: “It was a very fun race. I lost some positions at the beginning, but with my rhythm I was able to go pulling, until I reached a group close to the points. I finally finished 19th, but I was left with a bittersweet taste from starting at the back of the grill. It has been a great experience and it has helped me to see what points I can improve ”.

Anscari Nadal (Technical Director): “He has started the day with a great Warm Up. He has changed the attitude towards Saturday and we have seen the brave Gerard that we like. In the race, his departure was normal, although we must work on it. But from the first round he has started to come back. He has stayed first in the group, then he has continued pulling until he linked up with the next group. And in that moment, he has been very comfortable. The objective of this weekend was to arrive in Jerez prepared to win the race and I think we are on the way ”.