CFMOTO CUP -Navak Circuit - DAY 3

On the 21st and 22nd of May, the third and fourth races of the 2022 CFMOTO Cup season were organized at Navak, in Serbia. Out of the 10 junior riders that made the trip over for the event, 9 of them lined up for two races on Saturday and Sunday.

The fastest riders

Sunday morning, the riders had one more practice session before the official race. Special guest, Luca Purdea, was the fastest man in this session, riding the 300SR motorcycle to a fast lap of 1:41.999.

"Riding this bike feels so easy and fun at the same time, I hope I can feel the same way about my 600cc bike one day. Racing in the CFMOTO Cup this weekend was a real eye-opening experience, I hope I'll be invited back in the future as well.''

Cristian Radu was the second-fastest rider of the Warm-up, with a fast lap of 1:43.680, while Fabian Cojocariu was just 0.528 seconds behind.

Right after the Supersport300 race, the 9 CFMOTO Cup riders lined up for one last challenge in Serbia. Cristian Radu had a difficult moment going off the line: lifting the front tire cost him several positions! Meanwhile, Fabian Cojocariu took seized the moment and took control of the race. Throughout the 6 laps, he showcased how much faster he has become since he first signed up for the CFMOTO Cup, and he managed to score his first event win ever.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I was really fast all weekend long, and I also had the advantage of a previous race here in Navak. There's a long way to go until the end of the season, and I know it won't be easy to take the lead, but I'm hyped up for the race in Greece next month"

The official results of the fourth race of the season are:

1. Fabian Cojocariu - CFMOTO 300SR Racing (Best Lap: 1:41.904 )
2. Cristian Radu - Triton 300SR Racing (Best Lap: 1:42.834 )
3. Razvan Ciocan - Staking Agency 300SR Racing (Best Lap: 1:49.379 )
4. Codrut Borcea - CFMOTO 300SR Racing (Best Lap: 1:51.255 )
5. Mihai Toma - CFMOTO 300SR Racing (Best Lap: 1:52.034 )
6. Ionut Purdea - CFMOTO 300SR Racing (Best Lap: 1:48.448 )
7. Rares Matei - Elrond 300SR Racing (Best Lap: 2:15.153 )
8. Luca Purdea DNF - TBIPay 300SR Racing (Best Lap: 1:40.850 )
9. Valentin Polexici - DNF - CFMOTO 300SR Racing(Best Lap: 1:42.474 )
10. Vlad Chivu DNS - TBIPay 300SR Racing

Cristian Radu is still leading the CFMOTO Cup, going into the next event.

"I lost a lot of time during the start procedure. I had to make up for lost ground, hoping that I would overtake Fabian, but alas, I crossed the finish line 14 seconds later than he did. I'm happy for him, and I can't wait to race him again in Serres"

Razvan Ciocan scored his first career podium ever and was visibly excited about it:

"I was almost two seconds faster than I was in the first race. I am beginning to understand the racing line, how to increase my braking efficiency and how to maintain higher speeds going through the corners. Learning these things is so cool, and the bike really allows you to get better and better with each passing lap"

Although his times were slightly less impressive for his second race ever, Codrut Borcea still managed to secure fourth place overall:

"I could've gotten my first career podium here in Navak, but Razvan was faster than I was. I'm still satisfied with the outcome of this round, and I believe that I can get up to at least third in Greece"

Mihai Toma also improved his result on Sunday, as a result of Ionut Purdea's mistake:

"I'm going home with 21 points in the CFMOTO Cup. I've seen what I can achieve, I've seen how fast my opponents are, and I've also learned how to ride the 300SR. I'm slightly anxious about the race in Greece, the track is longer there, but I should be able to handle it well"

Rares Matei was almost 14 seconds faster per lap on Sunday than he was on Saturday, which was quite an improvement for him:

"I know that I've been rather slow in Navak, but I'm a fan of taking things nice and easy. I've improved my riding position and my lines, now I just have to improve my throttle inputs"

Ionut Purdea was visibly upset at the end of round 4 but is still one of the main contenders for winning the CFMOTO Cup title this year. Valentin Polexici set the third fastest lap of the race, right behind Luca Purdea and Fabian Cojocariu, but he once again retired before the final lap, as a sign of respect for the rookie riders.

The fifth and sixth races of the season will be held in Greece, on the 18th and 19th of June. Looking at the top three riders in the Cup so far, the situation is as follows:

    1. Cristian Radu: 95 Points
   2. Fabian Cojocariu: 85 Points
   3. Ionut Purdea: 55 Points