The first round of the MotoE World Championship started dramatically in Portimão, with much to discuss before the second round at the classic Le Mans circuit. The reigning world champion, Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team), is back at the top of the standings, thanks to two podium finishes in Portugal, but the lead is tight, with just one point advantage over Hector Garzó (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE), who finished second in both races on Portuguese soil.
Furthermore, there are important contenders ready to react against both.
Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing), who won the first race in the Algarve and then crashed in the second, also comes from a spectacular victory in the World Superbike Championship. Eric Granado (LCR E-Team), who crashed while leading the first race and then fought for a podium finish before ending up in fourth in the second race, is another who surely wants much more in France. Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team), who won last year in Le Mans, as well.
Meanwhile, Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) will be looking for his best form after a tougher first round, although his 2023 French GP proves his ability to respond. He crashed in the first race in an incident that resulted in a Long Lap Penalty, but still came out strong in the second race, clinching the first victory of the year.
Some of the riders who have stood out in Portugal include names like Lukas Tulovic (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) and Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team), who occupy the fourth and fifth positions in the championship before the (re)encounter with Le Mans. Tulovic is just two points behind Spinelli and will certainly be looking for his first MotoE podium since his victory in Austria in 2021. Could that happen this weekend? Or will he be able to fight for a place on the podium? More two races are scheduled in Le Mans as the electric class returns to action at a legendary venue. Don’t miss the qualifying at 3:15 PM (continental Portugal time) on Friday afternoon, before the two eight-lap battles start at 11:15 AM (Race 1) and at 3:10 PM (Race 2) on Saturday!
