Augusto Fernandez won today’s race in the penultimate round of the European Junior Cup powered by Honda Racing at Magny-Cours in France to set up a thrilling final round in two weeks.

In a day of spectacular crashes that affected virtually all the main championship protagonists, the Spanish rider won by just 0.179s from Hungarian Peter Sebastyen, with another Spanish rider Javier Orrelan taking the final podium slot.

The race was run in two parts, either side of today’s second World Superbike Championship race, with the first part red-flagged after five laps following a crash involving series leader Jake Lewis and local rider Guillaume Raymond, who was third in the points table going into today’s race.

Second-placed Robin Anne had crashed earlier in the first part of today’s encounter and none of these three championship contenders was able to take part in the re-start – Raymond having sustained a fractured collarbone in the crash.

“I am very happy for this result,” said Fernandez afterwards. “It’s my first victory and it was a great fight. The next race is in Jerez so I will do my best to win again in front of the local fans.”

Four Honda CBR500R riders scored their first points of the championship today, and Brazilian rider Sabrina Pauita celebrated her 19th birthday with her first top ten finish of the season, taking sixth place at the flag.

Today’s result leaves Lewis four points ahead of Anne, with today’s winner Fernandez moving up into third place, just a single point further back. However, the European Junior Cup series will head to Jerez in Spain in two weeks time with no fewer than nine riders holding at least a mathematical chance of winning the inaugural title and a possible ride in next year’s European Superstock 600 championship.

Marty Nutt secured the Ducati TriOptions 848 Challenge title in the final race of the season at Silverstone, holding off the late season surge from series rookie Jonathan Railton.

The Ducati TriOptions 848 Challenge reached its exciting conclusion this weekend at Silverstone, as two riders came into the event battling for outright championship glory. Boast Plumbing’s Jonathan Railton trailed Ducati Coventry’s Marty Nutt by just 12 points coming into the weekend, and with 50 points up for grabs it was all still to play for.

Qualifying saw Railton way back in 13th place for the first race on Saturday afternoon, however a lightning start saw him jump up to fifth by the end of the first lap. He looked to have the pace to lead the pack, and was battling for the lead with Dennis Hobbs by half race distance while Nutt was embroiled in a battle back in fifth place. With things looking set to provide a scintillating final showdown, Railton suffered a gearbox issue on his blue and white Ducati 848evo and dropped from second to sixth across the line. A late resurgence from Nutt saw him take second place behind Hobbs, and with that result the ball was put firmly in the court of the #77 rider going into the final contest.

In perfect conditions the 21-bike grid lined up for Sunday’s Silverstone season finale, with championship leader Nutt on pole from Mike Edwards and Dennis Hobbs. It was the experienced Edwards and fast starting Leon Morris that got away at the front early on, with Nutt and Railton battling for fourth and fifth further back. A superb final race for inaugural 848 Challenge champion Darren Fry saw him right in the hunt over the eight lap sprint, eventually crossing the line third. Morris held on to take the win from Edwards, while Nutt rode a calculated final race to fourth, breaking his run of fifteen podium finishes but ensuring the 2013 title was his.

Marty Nutt said:
There have been a couple of races this season where I’ve been careful, sat back and thought about the championship, and it’s really paid off for us. We’ve already got an 899 Panigale order and it looks awesome! I can’t wait to get riding it with the number one on the front. A lot of these guys have finished strongly this year which has given them the drive to come back for more next year, and I can’t wait to get back out there with them.

Leon Morris said:
My season has been up and down – we struggled at the start, but the pace of the series this year is phenomenal. When I won in 2011 and likewise Robbie Brown last year, we weren’t exactly hanging about, but this year the guys have been consistently a second and a half quicker than before! I’ve tried my hardest all year and we’ve only come out with two wins, but it’s definitely nice to round the season off with a win. The level of the series has grown and grown, and it’s really different to win races. It’s a brilliant series – the bikes are fantastic but more than that we’ve grown into a family. We’ve had a great year, there’s a lot of respect out there between the riders, I’d like to give a big congratulations to John Hackett and Marty Nutt and I hope to be back again next year.

Jonathan Railton said:
The first part of the season couldn’t have gone any better – my confidence was sky high and I was really enjoying riding the Ducati. Half way through the season at Brands I was leading the race and had the front end go. It was one of those crashes where you don’t know exactly what happened which always knocks your confidence, and it’s been difficult since them. We got back on form at Assen with some great racing and another win. That’s what is great about these one make championships – the racing is really close and the Ducati 848 has been a brilliant bike to ride. Well done to Marty and all the front runners who have made it such a great series this year – it’d be great to be associated with Ducati again next year. I’d also like to say a big thanks to the whole Boast Plumbing team who have been there and helped me through all the ups and downs.

The Ducati 848 will return to British Superbikes in 2014 alongside the new 899 Panigale to form the Ducati TriOptions Cup.

For final Championship results click here

Riders of the new R 1200 GS now have the choice: In addition to the noble black and the sporty black and white edition, Touratech now offers the expandable tank bag of the new Ambato series in dashing red.

The 'Ambato Exp limited red' does not only perfectly match with the “racing red” of the R 1200 GS, but also adds some fresh colours to different-coloured models. This modernly designed tank bag offers both the outstanding equipment and the quality of the Ambato Exp tank bags, excitingly combined with an exclusive colour and material mix.

For this purpose, Touratech does not use a simple nylon, but tearproof Cordura fabrics with robust waterproof tarpaulin inserts. Reflective surfaces made of 3M Scotchlite ensure excellent visibility; fluorocarbon impregnation and Teflon-coating offer protection against moisture, dirt, oil and fading. The 'Ambato Exp limited red' does not only feature a vehicle specific, exactly fitting base plate for a safe hold, but some smart details, too. It comes with an inside pocket with Velcro lid fastening, an organizer with mini-bag, a map pocket as well as reflective drawstrings to quickly attach gloves or a rain coat. With its comfortable carrying handle, the tank bag also looks good when taken off the motorbike. With the supplied straps, it can be also used as a rucksack or a shoulder bag.

Like all tank bags by Touratech, the Ambato Exp limited red is made by Kahedo in Germany and is highly durable even under extreme conditions. Now available as limited edition of 100 pieces.

Tank Bag "Ambato Exp limited red" for BMW R 1200G S (from 2013) Dimensions: (l x w x h) approx. 37 x 27 x 22/32 cm; capacity: approx. 13/20 litres Colour: black/red 045-5824 

www.touratech.co.uk

Touratech UK came into the spot light when they kitted out Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s BMW GS bikes for both the Long Way Round and the Long Way Down. They also provided equipment for Charley Boorman’s Race to Dakar. They have also provided equipment for other adventure trips, working with celebrities including comedian Ross Noble and actor Danny John-Jules.

Nick Plumb, Touratech MD has competed in the Dakar Rally 4 times, completing the rally on his first and last attempt. He also features heavily in Race to Dakar.

The next Normous Newark Autojumble is now just days away, taking place this Sunday, October 6, at Newark Showground.

As ever, a large number of visitors are expected from across the UK and beyond. We are especially looking forward to welcoming Lincoln Harley-Davidson to our latest event, who will be bringing with them "parts, accessories and 'MotorClothes'".

Visitors

Early bird admission is from 8am and costs £10, giving visitors a chance to get first access to the wealth of jumble stands on site. General admission (10am onwards) costs £6.

Outside Traders

No booking is required for outside trading, just arrive at the showground from 6.45am and your 6ft frontage x 30ft depth plot will be allocated. An outside plot costs £20 and allows entry for one person. Additional entry passes cost £7. (A pre-booked outdoor plots costs £18)

Inside Traders

Inside trade plots, 6ft frontage x 6ft depth, are available and cost £18 (which must be paid on booking). Tables are also available for hire, costing £4.50. An inside plot allows entry for one person. Additional entry passes cost £7.

Lorenzo Zanetti took a provisional front row spot in today’s opening qualifying session for Sunday’s penultimate 2013 World Supersport championship race at Magny-Cours in France.

The 26-year-old Italian found a groove in variable weather conditions at the 4.411km circuit to qualify just behind championship protagonists Sam Lowes, who took provisional pole, and last round winner Kenan Sofuoglu.

Zanetti’s team-mate Michael van der Mark, 20, who finished on the podium last time out at Istanbul in Turkey, was seventh fastest today, but the young Dutch ace is confident of further improvement in tomorrow’s final qualifying session.

Lorenzo Zanetti – P3, 1m42.731s

For the first day I am quite happy. It was a little wet this morning and then a bit half-and-half later but I was comfortable. I had a good feeling in the dry, too, and when we put in the softer tyre the result was OK. We are not at lap record pace but the conditions were not so good but it was important to get a good position today in case of rain tomorrow. Race pace is OK but there are a couple of place on the track where I know I can improve.

Michael van der Mark – P7, 1m43.275s

I think we can be quite happy today. The conditions were a little bit so-so this morning but we went out to do a lot of laps and I finished in P3, so that was quite OK. The track is new for me on the Supersport CBR600RR so I need to find the right gears and stuff but qualifying was not too bad in the end. I was quite consistent but I need some more speed for tomorrow.

Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator

The weather was a little variable today and the track was wet but drying in the morning. It was dry this afternoon and Lorenzo was near the top of the charts all through the session. Because the weather is a little unstable his third place could be very important. Michael has also been in touch throughout the day but has little problems in the last two splits. There are a couple of things we can improve for tomorrow, but it’s been a pretty good start to the weekend.