Both Steichen and Rodrigues’ victories mean both drivers and their co-drivers will contest the 2019 YXZ100R European Cup SuperFinale at the Baja Portalegre 500 on 24-26 October in Portugal, where they will join the Stock and Open champions from the other six nations compete in the European Cup.
The final Portugese round saw packed entry lists in both classes, with fierce competition for the top positions. Victory in the Open class went to Luís Caseiro, followed by Fernando Pinheiro in second and José Manescas in third, with Filipe Rodrigues a close fourth. Having managed to overcome several difficulties, the Open class points leader André Rodrigues finished the Baja Idanha-a-Nova in fifth place, earning him the crucial points needed to secure his title victory over challenger José Afonso Manescas by one point.
In the Stock class Alexandre Relvas took overall Stock victory at the Idanha-a-Nova, followed by João Franco and series leader Eric Steichen. Steichen had won four of the five races that held in 2019 but his final Portugal race didn’t go to plan, with several technical problems throughout the weekend. He was able to battle to third place however, giving him the points needed to seal the crown ahead of Franco.
The Baja Idanha-a-Nova also saw the participation of Yamaha Motor Europe president Eric de Seynes, a regular and fierce competitor in the YXZ1000R European Cup, whose presence highlighted the prestigious nature of the Portugal Cup and its popularity. Anticipation is now building for the SuperFinale in Portalegre, with seven nations competing and fielding two champions to contest Stock and Open class victory. Prizes to the victors include a new YXZ1000R and an entry to the 2020 Merzouga Rally.
For more information about the SuperFinale please visit www.yamaha-racing.com/yxz1000r-cup
