Fernandez leads Championship charge as Cork based Team 109 set for historic 300 finale

MOTORS: Spanish teenager Benat Fernandez (No. 7) leads the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship with the Cork based Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove team. Picture: Vaclav Duska Jr.

The Cork based Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove outfit head into to this weekend's final double-header in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship with their teenage sensation Benat Fernandez on the cusp of championship success. The 17-year-old has a ten point advantage at the head of the championship standings and with a maximum of 50 points on offer across the two races, he knows tomorrow's (Saturday) first race is crucial with three other title protagonists also seeking championship success in Jerez (Spain) for what is the last ever Supersport 300 race before its replaced by the new World Sportbike class in 2026.

Australian Carter Thompson (Kawasaki Ninja 400) is his closest rival with Spain's David Salvador (Kawasaki Ninja 400) and Italian Matteo Vannucci (Yamaha YZF-R3) a respective 22 and 46 points adrift of Fernandez (Kove 321 RR-S).

The Spaniard can expect huge local support and will be keen to deliver in what's been a sensational debut season where he has already racked up five fastest laps to underline his speed and indeed that of the Kove. "I'm really excited about this (championship finale) it is what I always dreamed about - to be a world champion. I'm sure that I will not let anything out there, I am going to give it everything in Jerez. My mentality is the same as always, no expectations, team work and be focussed on the weekend, it is what has taken me to this moment."

Team principal Paul Tobin from Carrigaline told the Irish Examiner, "Yes, of course that (ten point lead) brings pressure, but at the same time I wouldn't change our position for anybody else in the paddock. A ten points lead is better than a ten points deficit and from that perspective, it brings a bit of confidence. Last season, the Kove bike (at Jerez) had a podium in the first race (P2) and a P1 and P3 in the second race. It (Kove bike) goes well there as the circuit doesn't have as many straights as other circuits where bikes such as the Kawasaki's have an advantage. Essentially, the track is more in our favour, but all the riders are very good, especially, those involved in championship, so it's not going to be easy." 

He added, "The first race is probably going to be the most important of the year, the outcome of that could dictate what may happen on Sunday. It's racing at the end of the day and anything could happen. The advice to Benat is to go out and win the race, there's no safety switch."

Meanwhile, the Central European Rally, the 12h round of the World Rally Championship got underway last evening (Thursday) with a double run over the 12.83km Golf and Therme stage on the German border as series leader Sebastien Ogier took a 1.6s lead over team mate and one of four other title contenders Kalle Rovanpera.

Ogier was best on the opener with Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux and Rovanpera setting identical times - 1.7s behind, the latter with some understeer. On the repeat, Rovanpera was quickest albeit by 0.1s to take sole possession of second from Fourmaux. Onboard their M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1, the Irish crew of Kilrea's Josh McErlean and Killeagh's Eoin Treacy are tenth as McErlean put his task into perspective, "You think it's going to be a clean (first) stage, but somehow these drivers are finding the cuts. It's enjoyable, we are trying to up the speed again, don't know if everyone realises how hard it is to fight with these boys."

It was even more difficult for Donegal's Eamonn Kelly and his Monaghan co-driver Conor Mohan, one of five crews in with a chance to win the Junior WRC title, unfortunately, they are out of contention after they rolled their Ford Fiesta Rally3 on the final corner of the opening stage. There are six stages in today's second leg.

A new season of the Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Trial Championship together with the Munster Navigation series combine on tomorrow night's Cork Startrek Navigation Trial that is based in the Donoughmore Community Centre. Defending national champions Monaghan's Andy Mackarel and Limerick's Greg Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) are likely to be first away at 11.30pm for the 85-mile route where double national navigation champion Drinagh's Denis O'Donovan will be driven by Wexford's James Boland (Subaru Impreza). The Ulster pairing of Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes, also in a Subaru Impreza, are also expected to challenge.

Central European Rally (Round 12, World Rally Championship) Passau (Positions after Leg1): 1. S. Ogier/V. Landais (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 12m. 48.4s; 2. K. Rovanperä/J. Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+1.6s; 3. A. Fourmaux/A. Coria (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+3.9s; 4. S. Pajari/M. Salminen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+5.6s; 5. T. Katsuta/A. Johnston (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+5.6s; 6. E. Evans/S. Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+6.0s; 7. O. Tanak/M. Jarveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+6.1s; 8. T. Neuville/M. Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+6.3s; 9. G. Munster/L. Louka (Ford Puma Rally1)+15.4s; 10. J. McErlean/E. Treacy (Ford Puma Rally1)+25.1s.