MAXIMILIAN SCHEIB THIRD IN CHAMPIONSHIP. LUCA VITALI FINISHES FIFTH, SIXTH IN OVERALL STANDINGS. THE LAST RACE OF THE SEASON IN FRANCE, IN MAGNY-COURS. GOODBYE AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
Magny-Cours (France), 30 September 2018 – In Magny-Cours, Aprilia Racing Team was on the track with the RSV4 FW-STK machines for the last race of the European Superstock 1000, the championship for factory derivative bikes in its final season, that in the 2019 season comes out of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (at the end of this article the relative press release of the organizers).
Maximilian Scheib and Luca Vitali lined up on the second row of the grid and when the red light went out, they both released the clutch for an outstanding start, with the Chilean moving into second place straight away behind the leader and the Italian in the leading group. Five laps from the end, after an entire race spent battling and giving it his all to try and gain ground on the championship leader, Maximilian Scheib crashed. The rider from Santiago del Chile picked up his RSV4 FW-STK and managed to finish the race fourteenth. Luca Vitali battled with Delbianco, gaining the upper hand in the final lap to finish fifth.
In the overall standings, Maximilian Scheib finished the season in third place with 123 points and teammate Luca Vitali finished sixth with 70 points. The sum of the points gave Aprilia Racing Team the championship victory in the team category. In the Manufacturer championship standings, Aprilia finished third with 132 points.
Maximilian Scheib, Aprilia Racing Team, Magny-Cours RAC
Sunday, 30 September 2018
MAXIMILIAN SCHEIB (bike no. 7): "We worked hard this weekend and managed to do well in the first part of the race. I am happy because we were able to be strong and I gave it my all to try and earn the most possible points, riding a good race. I had a good pace until the crash. The championship ends here. It was a good championship - very competitive - which was definitely very thrilling for the spectators. This season with Aprilia Racing Team will always be in my heart. I formed friendships with all the members of the team, whom I thank immensely for all the work they did during the entire year."
In the previous and penultimate round of mid-September, in Portugal in Portimao, Scheib had conquered the 5th place (while teammate Vitali had retired for a fall in the corner before crossing the line in sixth place).
Luca Vitali, Aprilia Racing Team, Magny-Cours RAC
Sunday, 30 September 2018
LUCA VITALI (bike no. 70): "Out front, the guys were really fast and I struggled to maintain their pace. In the end I managed to finish fifth which was also helpful for the win as a team.
Luca Vitali, Aprilia Racing Team, Magny-Cours RAC
Sunday, 30 September 2018
I wish to thank the entire team, the sponsors and the people who supported us during this season. We didn't always manage to achieve the results we wanted, but in any case, we were able to take home some satisfaction. These were two very nice years."
INFO:
www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2018
FIM Europe and Dorna WSBK Organization have announced that as of 2019 the European Superstock 1000 Championship will no longer be part of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. After 19 seasons of successful racing in around Europe, with 17 different champions and six different manufacturers taking titles in the class, the decision to not continue the series, has been made following the evolution of technical regulations in WorldSBK over recent years. Looking ahead to the future, the removal of the STK1000 category from the WorldSBK paddock will bring more value to national STK championships around Europe.
Martin de Graaff, FIM Europe 1st Deputy President explains: “We want to share our thanks to the Dorna WSBK Organization for their long co-operation with the European Superstock 1000 Championship. FIM Europe understands Dorna’s position in the development of World Superbike. We are very grateful to all participants in this class over the years, and after working with Dorna for so long, we know the development of the sport will not stand still. In many countries the STK classes are important for Regional and National Championships, and this will continue. As soon as further news will be available, it will be communicated to press, riders and all stakeholders.”
Daniel Carrera, WorldSBK Executive Director: “We want to thank all our teams and riders for their commitment and effort throughout the seasons. STK1000 has provided some sensational racing action over the years, but now are looking ahead to the future of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. We now want to focus on the promotion and expansion of our three main categories.”
