A devastating fire at Jerez in March this year destroyed all the 18 Energica MotoE bikes and most of the equipment related to the world championship. Due to this mishap, the first race of the debut MotoE world championship had to be cancelled and a newly revised schedule was formed with the first test to be held in Valencia in June. And that’s exactly what happened.
MotoE returned to the track in Valencia for 3 days of testing. As well as normal running, the test included a simulation of the qualifying and race formats to be used this year. Kudos to Energica for building all the 18 race bikes from the ground up in such a short time.
Watching the electric race bikes go past the finish line was a totally different experience as they don’t really produce all that ‘internal-combustion noise’! But it was fun and we are pretty sure that the actual race will be even more thrilling and exciting.
First race, first podium 🥈🏆✊🏻🙌🏻#RaceSimulation #MotoE #Energica @EnergicaMotor #Tech3 #Racing #ERacing @MotoGP #HG4 #KF78 #ValenciaTest @hector_garzo @KennyForay pic.twitter.com/iBTMSDek7z
— Red Bull KTM Tech3 (@Tech3Racing) June 19, 2019
Unlike MotoGP, MotoE will follow the Superpole format for qualifying. It means that all the 18 riders will be given only a single flying lap to decide their positions on the starting grid.
During the simulation race, Former LCR rider Randy de Puniet crashed his Energica and unfortunately, injuring his ankle and his elbow. He was the only rider not to finish the seven-lap simulation race.
The first race of the season will take place at the Sachsenring on the weekend of July 5-7, with the second round coming during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend of August 9-11. The final two rounds at Misano in September and the Valencia season-finale in November will feature two races.
