ONDŘEJ VOSTATEK AFTER THE ESTORIL RACES: “IT WAS HELL AND A GREAT CHALLENGE FOR EVERYONE”
On 24 and 25 March, a new season of the FIM CEV Repsol Junior world championship 2018 begun in Estoril, Portugal. Thirteen-year-old Ondřej Vostatek again participated in the European Talent Cup race to fight against a record roster of forty-eight riders. In ever changing and extreme conditions, after many falls and in spite of damaged technology, he and team Igax were able to gain their first points of the season.
The trainings in Estoril begun on Thursday in relatively good weather, with the air temperature between 10 and 14 degrees. In the second training, Ondra managed to reach a great time, 1:51.9, not beaten by any opponent in the training sessions, nor in the race. However, there was a first fall in the last training, and after a heavy highsider, Ondra had to undergo an examination in the medical centre. Luckily, it was only a bruised ankle so Ondra was able to participate in the Friday training. Weather conditions significantly changed during Friday and both trainings took place on a wet track. Unfortunately, Ondřej crashed again and his motorcycle went directly against a wall. All riders were struggling with the difficult conditions and unpredictable surface of the circuit, and there were many falls in all categories. The team had to provide Ondřej with a backup motorcycle, due to all the falls, however, there was not a lot of time for its setting.
The first qualification took place on a wet track and although Ondřej started cautiously, he didn't cope with the last turn of the first lap, leading to another ugly crash and a "trip" to the medical centre. The examination showed there were no toes fractured, so Ondřej returned for the last lap of qualification under great pain, and at least fulfilled the race qualification limit. The race dried for the second qualification, requiring another change of setting. Ondřej gradually improved his times, but half way through the qualification session it started to rain again, so the best time was only enough for 15th place.
Once again, it was raining on race day, so the warm up and the first race took place on a wrt surface. Ondřej rode the first race with understandable respect, and although his individual lap times were very good, he couldn't get into the speed and finished the race in 18th place.
For the second race, the track was relatively dry. After the start, Ondřej was able to reach tenth position, sticking with the leading group. He had to avoid several collisions during the race and gradually lost some time on the leading group of riders. Ultimately, the race was stopped early and Ondřej finished it in nice 9th place.
After the races, Jan Vostatek said:
"I think we are all happy that it is behind us and I am really happy that Ondra is even able to walk after this weekend. We got away with just damaged material, unfortunately, not everyone of the favoured riders were so lucky... We are at the beginning of the season and able to go on. Although there were tears and frustration, Ondra fought until the end and gained valuable points. It was a great test of will and mind, to cope with failure and pain, and overall an extreme stress test of the whole team. In the end, the boys did perfectly and I hope the worst is over now. We can now concentrate on other test and races of the CEV Spanish championship."
Ondřej Vostatek said:
"It was true hell! I tried to ride as good as possible but the conditions were very difficult. I don't think I had that many falls the whole of last season as I had this weekend. Although I like the Estoril track, it was very hard for me to find some assurance after all that. I simply didn't feel great and didn't want to throw the race away again and lose points. It still hurts but I am happy that I'm okay. I have to especially say thank you for that to our partners, PSI Hubík and Shark, for their truly perfect equipment. Also thank you to our long-term partners Compos Distribution, Autoklub ČR, Honda ČR and everyone else helping us. A huge thanks and wish me luck at the Spanish championship in Albacete on April 7 and 8."
