Chennai, May 8 (Agency) India’s Geoffrey Emmanuel, despite a high-side crashin qualifying session, went on to complete his debut race in the first roundof the FIM World Championship JuniorGP at the famed Circuit do Estorilin Portugal on Sunday. Chennai-born 18-year old Geoffrey, the first and lone Indian rider in theJuniorGP, crashed in the very first flying lap of the qualifying session onSaturday and could not post a time.However, he was still allowed to race on Sunday because of his times infree practice sessions, but had to start from the back of the 29-bike gridand eventually finished 22nd.Geoffrey, who is sponsored by Fairstreet Sports, Vidiem, Vamcy Merla Sports Foundation and Gusto Racing India, had a very good start in therace. Despite having just 35 minutes of track time on the bike and nursinginjuries, he did well to stick on to the last bunch in Moto3. After a redflag due to crashes and a restart of a shortened five-lap race, he movedup to 19th spot before finishing the race in 22nd position with somegood battles with the seasoned Moto3 riders, reports received heretoday said.
Earlier, in Free Practice 1, Geoffrey rode the 2018 bike until the newengine arrived for the season, and was fitted on to the new chassis. It meant he could ride only for the last 15 minutes of FP2. His FP3outing was curtailed to 20 minutes of track time due to rains.Geoffrey said “I enjoyed riding at the highest level of the junior World Championship. I have been learning and improving with every lap onthe new bike even though I wasn’t at my best physically. Now, we arelooking forward to round two in Valencia, Spain, later this month. Iwould like to thank my sponsors Fairstreet sports, Vidiem, Vamcy Merla Sports Foundation and Gusto Racing India.” The second round of the championship, which is a junior class raceevent that runs under FIM Moto3 regulations and acts as a Moto3 World Championship feeder class, will be held at the Circuit doRicardo Tormo, Valencia, Spain, on May 20-21.