Guillermo Cano (Honda ESR Bikes) has been declared Champion of the Master category in the RFME Copa de España de Flat Track 2016. After results were officially released from the sixth race of the year, held in Valencia, the Honda rider is mathematically assured of the title before the final race weekend of the season in Conil de la Frontera (Cadiz).
Winning the quarter mile at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo last Saturday, Cano wrapped up the over-35 category for veteran riders. The Cup’s points system means that classification depends on the six best results over the season – which means riders must lose one result from the seven in the year – and Cano need not count on the result from the final race, even if the victor proves to be key rival Vincent Navarro (Suzuki Grau).
What started as a three-way fight for the title came down to a duel as Lluis Massana damaged his knee when racing in the Copa Rodi Michelin Dirt Track Championship, and Cano opened his year with a P2 on the oval at Valencia, followed by victory in the TT race the following day – as Navarro was fourth in both. After that inaugural date on the calendar, Navarro won the oval races in Madrid and at Rancho Canudas, but Cano hit back with victory in the TT race in Catalonia and validated his P1 in the standings in the second round to be held at Valencia. The consistency shown by the veteran throughout the season has allowed him to make history in becoming the first Champion of the Master category in the RFME Copa de España de Flat Track.
With one goal of the season accomplished, the number 179 faces an important challenge in the last date of the year: get into the top 5 in the FlatTrack Pro category, where he has also participated in 2016. Cano is currently sixth, one point behind Brad Baker (Kawasaki Noyes Camp), and goes into the final from his best result of the year – a P4 in Valencia II. He’ll travel to Conil de la Frontera with his eyes firmly forward on the battle with AMA Pro Flat Track champion Baker, who’ll be racing in in Spain once again, and Gerard Bailo (Suzuki Catala), who is currently fourth.
Guillermo Cano: “I’m so happy with this title for so many reasons. My team and I have fought as hard as possible to achieve it. We’ve had a lot of issues throughout the season, especially on the technical side. It’s not easy to set the bike up for different circuits. Once we had an engine failure and my mechanics lost a lot of sleep so I could get out on track. Without these issues I think we could have got a better result in the FlatTrack Pro category. But racing is like that. I have to thank Ruben Funes and Ruben Estevez for their patience and dedication. And also all the people who follow and support me. Their help is so important. I’m eager to get to the final round of the Cup, where the objective will be the same as it has been all year: win in the Master category. The level is incredible and the riders are so competitive, so it won’t be easy. In Flat Track Pro I want to be as far forward as possible and finish the season satisfied.”