Silva wins at the CEV in Valencia; the championship will be decided at Jerez

The penultimate race of the Spanish Speed Championship has just concluded, and we close out in Valencia with a great victory for Iván Silva in Stock Extreme. This rider seems to be on a roll, not stopping for a moment in producing great results, both here and in anything else he takes on, such as the training sessions with the CRTs.

Today’s victory, although he rode alone, was anything but comfortable. Riding with no reference, setting your own pace and without seeing the limit of the others demands an even higher level of concentration, and Silva pulled it off.

After the start, and being overtaken by Forés, he gritted his teeth and regained the lead, which he would not give up until the end of the race.

The most thrilling battle was for second place. Barragán and Forés pulled away from the rest and swapped positions several times during the race. Both studied each other closely, but in the end it was Forés who came out on top. So Xavi finished second and Santiago third.

Now the championship will be decided at the Jerez round. Silva and Barragán are separated by thirteen points, and both, with their Kawasakis, will have to fight to take the title: one who can lose it, the other who can win it, one with the pit board in mind, the other with a victory that is mandatory. Jerez is going to be an explosion.

In the private riders classification, with today’s win, Alejandro Mariñelarena has been crowned champion.

These are the statements:

Iván Silva (#22)

I want to thank my team. It’s never easy and it takes a lot of work from the whole team. Now everything is going right, and I’m also in very good form.

I’m ahead in the championship now, by thirteen points, but we’ve been swimming against the current all season. Only a mistake by Santi has allowed me to be here, and let’s hope I don’t make a mistake like his.

At Jerez I’ll have to keep one eye on the pit board and the other on the track.

Xavier Forés (#1)

I got a good start and wanted to push hard, but with Iván it was impossible. Maybe my strategy wasn’t the best, or good enough.

During the race my automatic gearbox failed, and that cost us a few tenths on every lap, because I had to cut the throttle to change gears.

The fight with Santi was great, and after studying him I managed to pass him at the entrance to the finish line. This second place tastes like a victory, and the truth is the team took the bike apart and rebuilt it in three hours after the warm-up.

Santiago Barragán (#51)

At Jerez I will try to get back to my level so I can fight for the championship. That’s why crashing here was not an option. The battle with Xavi was very difficult, and I was going all in on grip.

Alejandro Mariñelarena (#92)

In the race I wasn’t able to match the pace of the training sessions. Finishing sixth lets me win the private riders’ championship, and this position tastes like a victory, especially when the top three or four are in another galaxy. I want to thank my team and sponsors for all their support.

Photos | David Gómez (Plusmoto)