HISTORY WAS MADE IN JEREZ

At the Ángel Nieto Circuit the curtain falls on the first season of the Bagger Racing League European Cup. Battles, special guests and the first ever European Champion: Manuel Grandi.

The first, historic season of the Bagger Racing League European Cup came to an end over the weekend at the Ángel Nieto Circuit in Jerez de la Frontera. It was a special round, held together with the ESBK – Spanish Superbike Championship, which delivered spectacular races, last-minute twists and an impressive crowd in the paddock dedicated to the baggers. Besides the permanent championship riders, the Jerez round also welcomed high-profile guests: Italian rider Nazzareno Lumina, Japanese rider Takeshi Ishizuka (fresh Endurance World Championship runner-up) and, above all, Spanish star David Checa, four-time EWC World Champion. A line-up that confirms the international appeal of the BRL Europe project.

Qualifying: Checa ahead of the Ducatis

After Friday’s adaptation to the Andalusian track, Saturday was dedicated to official qualifying. David Checa, riding his Indian, set the fastest time ahead of the Ducati duo made up of Andrea Tomio – determined to regain key points for the title – and Ruben Xaus. Completing the top five were Manuel Grandi, championship leader, and Kevin Manfredi, the fastest Harley-Davidson rider.

Race 1: Checa escapes, show behind

Race 1 was spectacular. Checa made a good start from pole and, after just a few laps, built a safe gap over his pursuers. Behind him, however, Tomio, Xaus and Grandi produced a typical BRL sequence of overtakes and counter-overtakes, and finished in that order. Saturday then ended with a real celebration: hundreds of custom bikes that had come to Jerez to follow the baggers first enjoyed the BRL village up close – taking photos and videos, watching the stunt show and meeting the riders – and then paraded on track in a final run that literally filled the Ángel Nieto Circuit.

Race 2 and reverse grid: the title is decided on track

On the eve of Race 2, tension between Tomio and Grandi was very high: only 18 points separated the two Italians. Making things even more uncertain was the BRL’s special reverse grid format, which in the second race places the last finisher of Race 1 on pole and, in sequence, all the other riders, with the winner obliged to start from the back. So Checa started from the last spot.

Cameron Tenzing-Jenkins took advantage of pole and put his Harley-Davidson in the lead in the opening laps. But the pressure from the Italian duo was immediate: Tomio and Grandi quickly climbed back to the front. Checa also charged through the field and, taking advantage of the battle between the title contenders, regained first place. From that moment on, it was a repeat of Race 1: Checa pulled away, while Tomio and Grandi offered the Jerez crowd a duel to remember.

At the chequered flag it was once again David Checa to take the win, but the real celebration was for Manuel Grandi, who with his podium in Race 2 was crowned the first overall Champion of the Bagger Racing League European Cup. Andrea Tomio finished second in the final standings ahead of Ruben Xaus, who was fourth in the race. In the Silver class, victory went to Marco Attanasio and his Ducati Diavel.

See you at MBE Verona

BRL Europe now invites all fans and partners to the Motor Bike Expo in Verona, where the first champions of the category will be awarded and the news for the next season will be unveiled.