RACES

• 18th June - Rijeka CROATIA

• A sunny weekend in Croatia for the third race of the European Woman’s Cup organized by UEM.
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  There were great expectations for Samuela De Nardi’s performance, the driver from Aprilia had already shown to be the fastest of all last year on the Grobnik circuit, and for the German Nina Prinz, the fastest rider in Europe was left out of a probable victory of this Cup because of the complaint in Hengelo. It’s comprehensable that Nina Prinz did not want to take part in this race but it was a disappointment for everyone, for the event who lost a major protagonist and because here in Rijeka, together with Samuela De Nardi, we could have assisted a spectacular duel.
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  De Nardi not only made the pole in the free trials on Saturday (1’34.9”) going beneath 1’35”, but during tha race pushed her Aprilia RSV 1000 down to her best lap 1’34”3”, new record for females on this circuit, leaving her rivals way behind.
  Second place for Alessia Polita on Suzuki GsxR750 (with her best 1’36”1” lowered her personal record by 2 seconds registered here in Rijeka last year). Third Paola Cazzola (Ducati 999) who did very well during the trials with a 1’35” 6” but not better during the race. Fourth Fabienne Migout, the french talent unfortunately handling a Bike older than this trophy and not at all competitive.

  Amongst the 600’s a great victory for Chiara Valentini, the roman driver on Ducati 749R, who with a perfect race always on the lead is automatically European champion of the class 600. Second place for the Dutch Iris Ten Katen, who in spite of the disqualification in Hengelo confirms to be the second fastest driver in Europe for the 600 class. Third place and big party for the young Slovenian Urska Turnsek who in front of her own audience improves her performance by 6 seconds in regards to last year’s racer here in Rijeka. A real pity the fall during the first lap of the French Lydia Jean (vice champion in 2005) who compromises her second place in the overall ranking. Fourth Simona Zaccardi.
  Good performances by Patricia De Luca, her second race in all (she raced in April on the Misano circuit during the Beginners Trophy which takes place in Italy) and Sharon Mermet, the beautiful driver from the CRS Grand Prix Team, who after an ugly accident during practice 3 months ago and the consequent major operation on her arm performed by the Team’s doctor Costa, was back on the track on Sunday with good results.

  The general ranking sees Paola Cazzola in first place for the 1000 class with a 6 point lead on Alessia Polita and 9 on Samuela De Nardi. Even though the protagonist of this category is without doubt Nina Prinz, penalised by a fall in Vallelunga and the disqualification in the Netherlands race, the fight for first, second and third place is open between the Italian drivers and will be put at stake during the last race in Cartagena in Spain next 22nd October.

  The race of Rijeka has already assigned the title of European Champion class 600 to Chiara Valentini, while Ten Katen (dutch), Turnsek (slovenien) and Zaccardi (Italian), with 36 - 34 and 33 points respectively, will have to give all they have in order to grab second and third place.

  The appointment for the next race is the Italian Championship next july 9th in Magione, while the girls of the European Women’s Cup will be on the track again for the grand final the 22nd of October in Cartagena, Spain.