MotoGP’s electric motorcycle racing series is back in business, after a fire put things in serious doubt earlier this year.
Back in March, the MotoE paddock was destroyed in a blaze, destroying 18 motorcycles, charging equipment and other infrastructure. That caused much of the season’s schedule to be shifted around or canceled, as Energica simply didn’t have enough motorcycles to keep on going at that point. Machines would have to be built or rebuilt in order to keep the series alive for 2019.
However, the company has done just that, with this week seeing the series’ first official group test for the new machines, at Valencia.
Tech3’s Hector Garzo took the win in the Superpole-style qualifier, but Wednesday’s seven-lap race simulation saw Eric Granado (from the Avintia team) prevail. Granado had finished just behind Garzo in qualifying. Niki Tuuli was third, for the Ajo team.
The first MotoE points race is at the Sachsenring GP round, July 5-7. As you can see by the video above, the start line will have a much different feel from what MotoGP fans are used to.
