Jordi Torres (HP Pons 40) took second and fought off points leader Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE) as the two duelled to the limit, although with drama for Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP), Zaccone extends his overall lead at the top.

From the middle of the front row, it was Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) who out-dragged polesitter Granado into Turn 1 to snatch the holeshot, with World Cup points leader Zaccone holding station in third.

The key drama then unfolded at the end of the opening lap as Aegerter, the rider second in the standings heading to Assen, was down at the chicane – rider ok, but front washing away.

Lap 2 saw Zaccone take the lead, with Tulovic getting a bit beaten up after the perfect getaway. The German was shoved down to P5 as the riders ventured onto Lap 3, and Granado then put in the fastest lap of the race to take the lead at the beginning of Lap 4.

There was an eight-rider freight train split by just 1.6s with three laps to go, but the Brazilian had half a second advantage as Torres made a Turn 1 move past Zaccone into second.

Granado was in the groove though. With two laps to go he was still half a second clear, and Torres and Zaccone had gapped fourth place Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE). Just 0.6 covered the leading trio with just one more lap to go, but Granado held firm.

Torres was pushing but the number 51 wasn’t to be caught, staying just about out of reach as the HP Pons 40 rider then had to switch his attention to Zaccone. The Italian went for a move – as expected – but this time Torres really did get his elbows out, firing straight back and some contact between the two.

Zaccone then had a moment to compound it further, but the number 61 nevertheless completed the podium behind Torres. Granado, over the line, kept the gap at eight tenths.

2019 World Cup winner Ferrari claims his best finish of the season so far in fourth, 1.1 clear of fifth place Tulovic by the flag. Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) was just 0.036 behind the German, meanwhile, with Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team) only another 0.050 off in seventh.

Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) made a great start and was up to P4 at one point but the Japanese rider was forced to settle for P8 in the end, with Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) and Barcelona winner Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) rounding out the top 10.

Heading into the summer break, 17 points split Zaccone, Torres, Granado and Aegerter in the title race. Zaccone leads by seven points, Torres gains and Granado too, with Aegerter now fourth but equal on points with Granado.

After another classic at the Cathedral, make sure to stay tuned with more of the same coming up in Austria next time out!

MotoE podium:

1 Eric Granado – One Energy Racing – Energica – 12:10.143
2 Jordi Torres – HP Pons 40 – Energica – +0.844
3 Alessandro Zaccone – Octo Pramac MotoE – Energica – +0.925

The post MotoE: Granado pulls the pin to gain ground at the Cathedral first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

It was close, however, with Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) just 0.074 off Granado’s best of a 1:43.114. Points leader and Free Practice pacesetter Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE) completes the front row, with the session concluding right as rain began at the TT Circuit Assen and the Italian the last one out.

Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) was the first rider to set a sub-1:44 lap, a 1:43.968 putting him a sizeable 0.736 faster than the competition up to that point.

Corentin Perolari (Tech3 E-Racing) cut Casadei’s advantage to 0.294 to go second, before Barcelona winner Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) then lit up his Energica Ego Corsa’s rear wheel on the exit of Turn 5 – a mistake that cost the Spaniard, whose lap would then get chalked off again after exiting pitlane too late anyway.

Rookie Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team) then went fastest overall with a 1:43.923, a new benchmark for the following riders to try and better. And that’s exactly what Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) did as the 2019 World Cup winner beat Aldeguer’s time by 0.047 to sit on provisional pole, but the Italian would immediately get shoved down to P2.

By whom? Reigning World Cup winner Jordi Torres (HP Pons 40) – smoking his rear tyre out of Turn 11 – moved the goalposts in a big way as he went 0.398 clear at the summit to set a new benchmark. Tulovic was up for the challenge though and despite a rear-end twitch at Turn 5, the German rider took over at the top after an impressive 1:43.188.

Second in the standings Dominque Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) was next up, but the Swiss rider will be looking for more on Sunday after slotting himself into third at the time, leaving just two riders left to set a lap: Granado and Zaccone.

Granado was up first, the second fastest man on the combined times, and the Brazilian recovered from a bit of a moment to nevertheless take provisional pole by 0.074 and deny Tulovic for sure. Could Zaccone take over at the top? All eyes panned to the Italian, who was a tenth and a half down in Sector 1, but he’d pulled it back by the end of Sector 3 to be heading into the final split 0.121 up.

With the rain flag out but Race Direction judging the conditions to not yet be affecting track conditions, the lap was able to be finished but, crossing the line, the Italian couldn’t hold his advantage and instead slotted into third.

That leaves Granado on pole ahead of Tulovic and Zaccone, pushing Torres down to fourth at the head of the second row. He’s joined by Aegerter and Ferrari, who were fifth and sixth respectively.

Seventh place Aldeguer and eighth fastest Casadei are the only other riders to get within a second of polesitter Granado at Assen, with Corentin Perolari and Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) completing the top 10.

Now all that’s left to do is race, which MotoE do at Assen at 15:30 local time (GMT+2) on Sunday!

MotoE front row:

1 Eric Granado – One Energy Racing – Energica – 1:43.114   
2 Lukas Tulovic – Tech 3 E-Racing – Energica – +0.074
3 Alessandro Zaccone – Octo Pramac MotoE – Energica – +0.124

The post Granado takes E-Pole at Assen first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

The Brazilian was also consistently fast, second in the morning and afternoon, with Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) moving up in FP2 to complete the top three overall.

FP1

Zaccone started the day by gaining the upper hand on Granado by just 0.083, the two rising to the top by the end of FP1. 

It was the first time the Italian has been top in a Free Practice session; a feat he repeated in the afternoon to make it a slightly ominous day for the rest.

Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) was third fastest, another less-than-a-tenth separating the Swiss rider from the Brazilian as the Cathedral promised close and delivered early.

Reigning Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) was fourth, 0.047 off Aegerter, with rookie Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) locking out the top five. The Japanese rider says Assen is one of his favourite tracks, and he started the weekend impressing.

There was one crash as Andrea Mantovani (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) went down, rider ok.

FP2

Despite rain for the Grand Prix classes, track conditions had improved enough by MotoE FP2 to allow the field to put on slicks and improve too, and that Zaccone did.

A 1:42.809 made the Italian the only man under the 1:43 barrier, with a 0.239 gap back to Granado as the Brazilian also continued to make a habit of going fast.

After ending FP1 in sixth, Tulovic moved up to third overall with his FP2 lap, another couple of tenths in arrears but with a sizeable gap in hand as the top three pulled clear of the rest by just over four tenths.

Mantovani crashed in FP2, rider ok, as did and was home hero Jasper Iwema (Pons Racing 40).

Combined timesheets

Zaccone leads Granado leads Tulovic, with 0.411 the gap back to Hikari Okubo in fourth. The Japanese rider has closer company from Dominique Aegerter 0.075 further back, with Jordi Torres less than a tenth off the Swiss rider to end the day in sixth.

Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) ends Friday in P7, a few tenths off Torres, with 2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE), Xavi Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and rookie Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team) completing the top ten.

Tune in for E-Pole on Saturday from 16:10 (GMT +2) as the grid gets decided, before the lights go out for the race at 15:30 on Sunday!

MotoE fastest on Friday:

1 Alessandro Zaccone – Octo Pramac MotoE – Energica – 1:42.809
2 Eric Granado – One Energy Racing – Energica – +0.239
3 Lukas Tulovic – Tech3 E-Racing – Energica – +0.458

The post MotoE: Zaccone fastest out the blocks on Friday first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) claims P2 to get within one point of Cup standings leader Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE), with reigning World Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) occupying the final step on the rostrum.

There was drama before the six-lap race got underway as polesitter Eric Granado (One Energy Racing) encountered an issue just before lights out. That caused the start to be delayed as he was wheeled off the grid, heartbreakingly forced to start from pitlane.

After the brief stoppage, the lights went out and we were GO in Barcelona. Aegerter grabbed the holeshot as a fierce MotoE scrap started from the off, with Pons lunging up the inside at Turn 10 to slot into second

. It was then slipstream city down the long home straight as the lead changed down into Turn 1 aplenty: Zaccone led, then Aegerter returned to the front, before Pons eventually took the lead into the first left-hander on the penultimate lap.

Looking strong, the LCR E-Team rider was able to edge out a 0.3 lead – not a lot, but enough – heading onto the last lap, and importantly held off Aegerter in the slipstream too. The top eight were covered by just 1.8 but Pons remained ahead as attentions turned to the last real overtaking spot: Turn 10.

However, after a crash for Mattia Casadei’s (Ongetta SIC58 Squadracorse) there on the penultimate lap, the yellow flags were waving at Turn 10. That meant no overtaking, which scampered Torres’ chances of a move up the inside of Aegerter on the last lap.

And just ahead of that, Pons made no mistake in the final sector and crossed the line to take a maiden MotoE victory, Aegerter and Torres picking up their second podiums of the year in that order.

World Cup points leader Zaccone took the chequered flag in P4 to keep his advantage over Aegerter intact, but it’s just a point splitting them in the overall standings. Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) ended the six-lap dash in P5, and that’s the Colombian’s best result of the season so far.

16-year-old Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team) took 6th just 1.7 off the win, and the Spaniard was promoted one place after Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) exceeded track limits on the last lap. Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing), Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) and Corentin Perolari (Tech3 E-Racing) completed the top 10 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

So what of Granado? After starting from pitlane and having lapped a second a lap quicker than the leaders when fighting his way back through, the Brazilian then crashed out of the points at Turn 4, rider ok. Xavi Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and Jasper Iwema (Pons Racing 40) also crashed out unhurt.

Yet another terrific MotoE race lights up Barcelona, with a new winner joining the fold. Pons is up to fourth in the overall classification, 18 points behind Zaccone, with Torres 11 off the leader and Aegerter that single point off the top.

MotoE returns in a few weeks at the TT Circuit Assen.

MotoE podium:

1 Miquel Pons – LCR E-Team – Energica – 11:15.075
2 Dominique Aegerter – Dynavolt Intact GP – Energica – +0.531
3 Jordi Torres – Pons Racing 40 – Energica – +0.577

The post Pons takes sensational first MotoE win after classic Barcelona battle first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

Behind the two, there was a slightly bigger gap of a few tenths back to MotoE rookie Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) as the Colombian impressed to complete the top three. 

The fastest top speed in MotoE history was also set at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya.

The previous best was a 249.1 km/hr from Valencia 2019, but that was bettered in FP1 in Barcelona as Dominique Aegerter did 262.1 km/hr. And in the afternoon it was broken again, with Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE’s Andrea Mantovani registering 262.7km/hr.

FP1

The grid took a few minutes to head out, but when they did it was Aegerter fastest first, before Hernandez took over mid-session for a good chunk of time, the Medellin native impressive from the off.

By the end, Le Mans winner Eric Granado (ONE Energy Racing) hit back to go quickest, with Torres denying him once but the Brazilian returned the favour to end the session fastest by a tenth and a half, ahead of Torres, Tulovic and Hernandez. Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) completed the top five. 

One rider seemingly out of place by the end was Aegerter, as the Swiss rider slipped down to P13. There was one technical problem for Xavi Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing), but the Andorran was able to rejoin. No riders crashed.

FP2

The same familiar names showed their speed in FP2, with Tulovic coming out on top with his 1:50.808 and no one able to depose him by the end of play. Torres tried and got close, 0.049 the deficit, and Hernandez impressed once again to take third in FP2.

Granado was fourth fastest and the afternoon saw a few on the grid waiting to get a guided tour of the circuit from the Brazilian, waiting for him to head out first – but the tail was soon dropped as the number 51 headed through pit lane next time round.

Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team) moved up one place in the afternoon to complete the top five in the session.

Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) had a small crash at Turn 5, but rider OK and rejoining.

Combined timesheets

The top three from FP2 lead the way: Tulovic, Torres, Hernandez, with Granado in fourth – as he was in the afternoon – but by virtue of a marginally quicker FP1 best. Aldeguer completed the top five, just pipping Aegerter to it as the Swiss rider improved in the afternoon.

Rookie Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) was seventh by the end of play, with points leader Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE) having a quieter start to the weekend in P8, sure to be looking for a lot more on Saturday. Casadei likewise in P9, with Cardelus completing the top ten.

Tune in for E-Pole on Saturday from 16:10 (GMT +2) as the grid gets decided, before the lights go out for the race at 16:00 on Sunday.

MotoE fastest on Friday:

1 Lukas Tulovic – Tech3 E-Racing – Energica – 1:50.808
2 Jordi Torres – Pons Racing 40 – Energica – +0.049
3 Yonny Hernandez – Octo Pramac MotoE – Energica – +0.324

The post MotoE: Tulovic vs Torres, duo split by half a tenth on Day 1 first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

Even more drama came after that, with Zaccone crossing the line second but then demoted a place for track limits and classified in third. Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) was promoted to second, the Italian’s stunning ride up from the fifth row of the grid to the podium boosted even more.

There was drama from the off as even before the start of the race, both Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) – who was scheduled to start from P2 – and Andrea Mantovani (Indonesian E-Racing MotoE) crashed on their out-laps, causing them to miss the race.

Once the lights went out though, polesitter Granado got the best getaway but it was Zaccone who was bravest into Turn 3, the Jerez race winner into the lead. The Italian was out of shape as he squeezed on the power but he held on, with everyone else safely negotiating the tricky Turn 3 and 4 chicane on Lap 1 as well.

Zaccone was then wide at Turn 8 though and that allowed Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) to take over at the front. Granado was shoved down to P6 on the opening lap, the Brazilian taking it steady early on.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) was into P2 from 10th on the grid, and the Japanese rookie was into the lead at Turn 7.

It was a sensational start to the race but drama was about to unfold at Turn 3 on the third lap between two rookies: Okubo and Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team). Coming into the chicane hot, Aldeguer was up the inside and both he and Okubo went down, riders ok. 

Zaccone was then back in the lead at Turn 11 on Lap 3, as a MotoE freight train battled it out in spectacular fashion at Le Mans. The top eight were locked together but Granado was picking his way back through the pack, up to P3 and then swiftly P2 on the penultimate lap, passing Aegerter at Turn 13 – a move we’d see again a couple of minutes later…

Zaccone was the race leader on the last lap but went slightly deep into Turn 3, and that cost him a good exit heading down the hill into Turn 6. Granado pounced. In doing so though, he went wide and left a gap, which Zaccone gobbled up to gain the lead once more.

Aegerter nearly tagged the back of Granado at Turn 7 as he and Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) were forced slightly wide, and that allowed Casadei to move into P3.

A move for the race lead didn’t come until Turn 13. Just as he did a lap earlier, Granado sliced his way up the inside, and this time Zaccone was the victim for the lead. The Italian snapped straight back though and shoved it up the inside at the final corner, but he was wide and Granado slipped back through.

That was that and the Brazilian takes a stunning first win of the year after battling through in style. Zaccone crossed the line second, ahead of Casadei, but then the timing screens changed: the number 61 had a one position penalty and would take 16 points. Track limits, for which he’d already had a warning, bit late.

Zaccone is nevertheless still the points leader and now has an eight-point advantage, with Casadei level on points with fourth place finisher Aegerter now after his P2. Granado’s win beings him right back into the title frame having crashed in Jerez.

Reigning World Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) and sixth place Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) finished less than a second away from the win, and Tulovic crossed the line in seventh after having held P3 in the latter stages but getting sent wide.

Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) made a mistake at Turn 10 on the penultimate lap that cost him a chance at fighting for a first rostrum of the year, the 2019 World Cup winner finished P8.

Corentin Perolari (Tech3 E-Racing) and Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team) rounded out the top 10, with Kevin Zannoni (LCR E-Team), Andre Pires (Avintia Esponsorama Racing), teammate Xavi Cardelus, Jasper Iwema (Pons Racing 40) and Aldeguer completing the points.

So that’s that, arguably the best MotoE race there has been so far as 2021 continues in dazzling style. The next time we’ll see the MotoE riders heading into battle is at the Catalan GP at the start of June, so it’s not long to wait!

MotoE podium:

1 Eric Granado – One Energy Racing – Energica – 14:33.776
2 Mattia Casadei – Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse – Energica – +0.306
3 Alessandro Zaccone – Octo Pramac MotoE – Energica – +0.253*
*One position penalty

The post Granado defeats Zaccone and Casadei in electrifying showdown at Le Mans first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

If the session is declared wet it’s a maximum of six laps each, including in and out laps, with all riders on track in a shortened session. So after a delay, a number of crashes and then plenty Yellow Flag infringements, the number 51 takes it… and that despite his first MotoE highside! 

Second went to impressive rookie Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team), with 2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) emerging in third.

But let’s rewind back to the start. Just before most of the MotoE riders were about to head out, there was an almighty downpour and the Red Flags came out, with those who had headed out quickly making it back.

The rain didn’t stay around long but it was certainly still wet, wet, wet on track by the time the session restarted, and it was Dynavolt Intact GP’s Dominique Aegerter’s 2:03.417 that proved the first benchmark time.

Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) then hit the deck at Turn 3 on his second flying lap, before Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) crashed at the final corner.

Granado next pulled out three seconds on his second lap to take over at the top with a real stunner, before the Brazilian was next to crash as he highsided at Turn 3. Thankfully he was back up on his feet quickly, but in the meantime rookie Pons had cut the advantage to 0.1s…

Aegerter was then at the summit with a 2:00.251, 0.064s ahead of Granado, but Pons then moved the goalposts to a 1:58.384. Aegerter, on his next lap, returned to P1 by 0.101s but just ahead of him, Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) crashed at the final corner. 

Initially it was Aegerter on top but there was post-session drama. Because of a number of crashes, a whole host of riders were having their laps cancelled for Yellow Flag infringements – including the Swiss rider. Pons and other parc ferme attendee Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) also had their laps chalked off, and so did fourth place Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team).

This promoted Granado to P1, with all the other changes eventually seeing Pons hold onto P2, with 2019 Cup winner Ferrari completing the front row. The two veterans said of the drama that it’s nice to have the dice roll your way, but one day the luck won’t be on your side with the rule – and that overall, safety comes first with Yellow Flags.

So on Row 2, Xavi Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and title leader Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE) will sit ahead of Aegerter, in P4 and P5 respectively, with the Swiss rider shuffled down to sixth.

Andrea Mantovani (Indonesian E-Racing MotoE) was another rider to profit from cancelled laps in P7 as Aldeguer slips to P8, and the 16-year-old is one place ahead of former MotoGP rider Hernandez.

Okubo, who was in parc ferme, will be starting P10 in the end… just ahead of reigning Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40), who will be one rider especially eager to make short work of the start, as will Tulovic next to him.

Drama aplenty in MotoE on Saturday, what will Round 2 of the season bring on Sunday afternoon? 

MotoE front row:

1 Eric Granado – One Energy Racing – Energica – 2:00.315
2 Miquel Pons – LCR E-Team – Energica – +0.101
3 Matteo Ferrari – Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE – Energica – +0.340

The post Granado takes the spoils in dramatic wet E-Pole at Le Mans first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) completed the top three, just 0.024 off second, to get back in the fight at the front after his bad luck in Round 1.

The day was dry for MotoE as the sessions were timed pretty perfectly for the weather, and in FP1 it was Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) who took to the top to pip Granado by just 0.046. The session was a busy one with the skies seemingly unpredictable this weekend and the field looking to maximise track time, so it was green light on, everyone file out.

Tulovic started the day as he would end it, also in third in the morning, and Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE) had similar consistency fresh from his first win. The Italian was fourth in the morning and ended the day in fourth overall from his FP2 laptime, 0.019 off Tulovic.

Torres completed the top five in FP1 and moved up to take over in second overall, with Aegerter the key change by the end of the day. The Swiss rider went from quickest out the blocks to fifth overall and will be looking for more on Saturday, although the gap behind the number 77 is bigger than that ahead.

Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team) was sixth quickest overall and took the top rookie honours on Friday, two tenths exactly ahead of next debutant Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team).

Another fresh face in the form of Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) slotted into eighth, just 0.049 off Pons, with Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) in ninth by a similarly small margin. Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) completes the top ten, a tiny 0.022 in further arrears.

One key name missing from that list is that of 2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE). The Italian had some technical troubles on Day 1 and was in P13 by the finish line on Friday; another veteran looking to move forward on Saturday.

And speaking of Saturday… make sure to tune in for E-Pole from Le Mans at 16:10 (GMT +2)! The race then gets underway on Sunday morning as the MotoE World Cup delivers more stunning racing from 10:05.

The post Granado regains his grip on the top at Le Mans first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

Moving up to fight at the front early on, a crash out the lead for Eric Granado (One Energy Racing) saw the Italian take over and he kept cool, calm, collected, and, even more importantly, FAST on his way to his first ever MotoE win.

The riders he held off were 2020 challenger Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) and reigning Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) as both put in showcases in pace and consistency to take second and third, respectively.

Tech3 E-Racing’s Lukas Tulovic took the holeshot from the middle of the front row as the lights went out for the first time in 2021, the German rolling around the outside of poleman Granado, but his lead didn’t last for long as the Brazilian steamed back through on the run down to Turn 6.

Meanwhile, both Corentin Perolari (Tech E-Racing) and Kevin Zannoni (LCR E-Team) were caught in a tangle through Turn 5, bringing an early end to their afternoons.

Back nearer the front, Tulovic was starting to get bullied as Zaccone and Aegerter also found a way through in the final sector as the first lap was ticked off.

Some drama came not long after for the number 3, however, as he came together with Openbank Aspar Team’s Fermin Aldeguer at Turn 6 and both went down, the Saturday star and speedy rookie ending the day with real disappointment.

Meanwhile, Granado was starting to pull clear thanks to the fastest lap of the race, and although Zaccone was digging in and trying to stay with him, there was daylight appearing between the two. 

Then, with five laps remaining, disaster struck for the Brazilian. Victory was surely his for the taking but a mistake at Turn 6 cost him dearly as he crashed out of the lead, at least remounting but riding round to grab the last few points. 

Zaccone was looking pretty collected as he took over at the front, but soon enough Aegerter closed in on the Italian’s rear wheel and began applying some serious pressure. He threw the kitchen sink at it, but the Pramac man stood firm throughout the closing stages and that was all she wrote.

From a broken leg at the start of last season to a victory at the start of this, Zaccone crossed the line to announce some big progress in 2021 as he settles in with Octo Pramac MotoE.

Aegerter took second after warning late on from a bit of a moment, and he was pleased to have started the season with a podium, as was last year’s World Cup winner as Torres began his defence with a solid third place. From both, consistency was a calling card once again. 

Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Mattia Casadei clinched fourth as he comes back from injury that saw him miss the first preseason test, and LCR E-Team’s Miquel Pons took the final spot inside the top five after another good performance from the impressive rookie.

One of the rides of the day came courtesy of 2019 World Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) too, who managed to move through from the back of the grid to take sixth and recover some ground after his track limits infraction in E-Pole.

Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) was seventh, ahead of Andrea Mantovani (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE), Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team) and Yonny Hernandez (Octo Pramac MotoE) rounding out the top ten in the first race of the year. Granado eventually took 13th.

And so the sun sets on Spain and, MotoE, like the rest of the paddock, now saddles up and heads for Le Mans. Last year conditions were mixed and the round had the title on the line, so what will 2021 bring as the track hosts Round 2? Find out in two weeks!

MotoE podium:

1 Alessandro Zaccone – Octo Pramac MotoE – Energica – 14:33.776
2 Dominique Aegerter – Dynavolt Intact GP – Energica – +0.419
3 Jordi Torres – Pons Racing 40 – Energica – +0.614

The post Zaccone in the zone: Italian takes impressive first MotoE victory in Jerez first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

It was a familiar scene in testing and as Round 1 of the 2021 FIM Enel MotoE World Cup began at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, the duel at the top of the timesheets remained a shootout between Eric Granado (One Energy Racing) and Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP).

This time around the Brazilian had the upper hand by just 0.077, with both putting in their best efforts in FP1. On the combined timesheets it’s Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) who completes the top three, the impressive rookie pipping 2020 Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) to the honour.

Two dry and fairly sunny sessions gave the grid maximum track time on Friday, and Aegerter was first out to make the most of it. He set his fastest lap early on before an uncharacteristic crash from the number 77, but it was fast enough to see him stay second in the session and overall by the end of play.

And, most importantly, rider perfectly ok, as was Jasper Iwema (Pons Racing 40) as he proved the second faller in the morning. The Dutchman also crashed in FP2.

Later, FP2 would also see a crash interrupt the session with a Red Flag as Corentin Perolari (Tech 3 E-Racing) took a tumble trying an E-Pole simulation. Rider ok and bike recovered, the grid headed back out to see if anyone could topple Granado’s fastest lap… but the Brazilian retained his grip on the top.

Granado’s FP1 best was two tenths better, however, so the gap overall remains 0.077 back to Aegerter as the two lock out the top on Friday. Pons used FP2 to move up into real contention in third overall, taking top rookie honours four tenths off the top and that despite a late technical glitch at Turn 2.

The time that put 2020 Cup winner Torres in third in FP1 puts him fourth by the end of play, with Xavier Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE) in P5 and P6 courtesy of their FP2 bests as the gaps tighten up. Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) was seventh overall after ending FP1 in fourth, the veteran getting the edge on rookie Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team) by just 0.002.

Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) was ninth and still within a tenth of the rider ahead in a close pecking order, with Andrea Mantovani (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE) putting in one of his best showings yet to complete the top ten, the last rider within a second of the Brazilian-Swiss stranglehold on the top.

That’s it from Friday, make sure to tune in to E-Pole on Saturday as qualifying goes live at 16:05 (GMT +2), before the race on Sunday at 10:05. Will the duel continue to steal the headlines or will the pack shuffle when the pressure’s on?

The post MotoE: Granado vs Aegerter decided by just 0.077 on day 1 first appeared on InsideRacing.com.