Remontada with feelings in Jerez

Friday, April 24th

FP1 got underway under cloudy skies with a threat of rain. Home rider Jesus Rios headed out on track immediately, working intensively on bike development ahead of the weekend, followed by Nicola Carraro, who adopted the same approach. Both Snipers riders spent most of the session riding alone, searching for the best reference without the help of slipstreams.
An initially difficult start gave way to steady progression, especially for Rios, who finished the session in 13th position thanks to a series of continuously improving laps in the final part of the session. Carraro remained slightly further back but still managed to lower his times under the checkered flag, showing positive signs ahead of the next sessions.

Despite an increased risk of rain, with a few light drops before the session, Practice took place on a dry track, allowing both riders to significantly improve their lap times compared to the morning.
Jesus Rios completed a relatively short first run, returning to the pits after 6 laps to work on the bike setup. Nicola Carraro chose a different approach, opting for a longer 10-lap run to build confidence with the circuit.
The two Snipers riders then returned to the track together for their second run, focusing on performance in the final phase of the session. Both Carraro and Rios set their best times on their first time attack attempt of the second run: the Spaniard lowered his benchmark by nearly one second compared to FP1, while Carraro made an even bigger personal step forward, improving by over one and a half seconds.

Saturday, April 25th

Conditions changed on Saturday, with FP2 marking the first wet session of the weekend. A scenario that required a different approach from the Snipers team riders, focused on building the right confidence ahead of the afternoon qualifying.
Jesus Rios’ first outing consisted of a 7-lap run, useful for gradually getting to grips with the conditions. After a stop in the pits, his second run showed steady improvement, despite a slight increase in rain, allowing the young Spaniard to set his best lap on the final pass.
A similar scenario for Nicola Carraro, who opened the session with an 8-lap run to adapt to the wet surface, followed by a shorter 4-lap stint after returning to the pits, during which he recorded his best time of the session.

Qualifying began with positive signs for the team, with both riders provisionally placing inside the top 4 in the fight for Q2.
However, the still tricky track conditions, combined with traffic and numerous yellow flags, made it difficult to consolidate those positions. Carraro and Rios were therefore forced to start from the back, while still keeping their comeback ambitions alive for the race, where surprises cannot be ruled out.

Sunday, April 26th

The race got underway with the highest temperatures of the entire weekend, adding further uncertainty about the Gran Prix.
Both Snipers riders made excellent starts, gaining several positions already on the opening lap. Jesus Rios immediately set a competitive pace, staying close to the leading group and taking part in an intense battle for the points.
Nicola Carraro also made the most of the early stages, gaining ground from his starting position.

Rios continued to stand out for his speed and consistency, remaining in the group fighting for the top positions and delivering a hard-fought race until the final stages, building increasing confidence with both the bike and the track.
Carraro’s race, on the other hand, came to an end on lap nine following a crash while he was making his way back toward the points, fortunately without physical consequences.

Rios’ battle continued until the final lap, with decisive overtakes and a strong pace allowing him to cross the line in 7th position. The result was later revised to 9th due to a penalty for an overtake deemed too aggressive, but it did not take away from an excellent performance, highlighted by a 10-position comeback and valuable points scored for the team at the rider’s home Grand Prix.

Comments

Nicola Carraro was disappointed with the weekend but ready to work and improve:
“It wasn’t an easy weekend. In the race the conditions were different and I struggled a bit to find confidence. Unfortunately, while trying to make a comeback, I crashed in the battle and my race ended. Now we focus on Le Mans, aiming to regain the right feeling and confidence.”

A great home race completed by Jesus Rios:
“It was a very positive and enjoyable race: even though I started a bit further back, I managed to get a good launch and stayed in the fight for the top 6 throughout the Grand Prix. I found a good feeling with the bike after a challenging weekend, and I’m happy to have finished my home race on a high note!”