Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) has been crowned 2019 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup winner thanks to a P5 finish in Race 2 at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana. Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorma Racing) beat Bradley Smith (One Energy Racing) on the final lap to claim a double victory at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, with Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) completing the Race 2 podium after being disqualified from Race 1.
???? @FerrariMatteo11 has the podium all to himself!
— MotoGP™ ???????? (@MotoGP) November 17, 2019
2019 Enel #MotoE World Cup winner! ????#Ferrar1 ⚡️ #ValenciaGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/KJwjVbnZ2r
Because of Garzo’s removal from the Race 1 results, Ferrari could only be beaten to the inaugural title by one rider coming into Race 2: Smith, with the points gap sitting at 20. Launching from P3, the British rider got a great getaway and did exactly what he would have planned – lead into Turn 1. The number 38 then had the hammer down as he immediately pulled away from the chasing pack, with Ferrari sitting P3 after the opening lap. 1.1 was Smith’s advantage to Granado after the first lap, with Garzo making his way up to P3 past Ferrari and Alex de Angelis (Octo Pramac MotoE).
Let the celebrations commence! ????
— MotoGP™ ???????? (@MotoGP) November 17, 2019
The Brazilian flag flies victorious as @ericgranado and @realeavintia racing get wild! ????#ValenciaGP ???????? | #MotoE ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/dT7nwuh56Q
With three laps to go Smith and Granado were locked together, the pairing nearly four seconds clear of Garzo in third. Smith was doing all he could to try and claim the MotoE™ title, but Ferrari was also doing enough – the Italian sitting P5, that position handing him the crown by six points. Without a win this season, Smith was determined as ever to grab 25-points and heading onto the last lap it was Smith vs Granado for the win. Down the back straight, Granado was clinging onto Smith’s coattails and made a move stick at Turn 8. Smith then immediately bit back at Turn 11, making a daring pass up the inside. On the exit though, Granado bullied his way back to P1. Last corner time, was Smith going to try snatch victory? Of course. The One Energy Racing man lunged underneath Granado but he was wide, allowing Granado to get the switchback and claim a double Valencia victory.
2nd in the race and 2nd in the World Cup! ????@BradleySmith38 gave it absolutely everything but it just wasn't quite enough ????#MotoE ⚡️ | #ValenciaGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/fFtuzcHHgd
— MotoGP™ ???????? (@MotoGP) November 17, 2019
The main story was further back though. Knowing all he had to do was finish inside the top 10, Ferrari cruised across the line to become the first-ever MotoE™ World Cup winner. The Italian took the title by 11 points over Smith, with Granado’s victory giving him P3 in the Cup standings, two points ahead of Garzo.
An enthralling maiden MotoE™ campaign draws to a close, with Ferrari etching his name into the history books. Bring on 2020!
Top 10:
1. Eric Granado (Avinita Esponsorama Racing)
2. Bradley Smith (One Energy Racing) + 0.458
3. Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) + 4.124
4. Alex de Angelis (Octo Pramac MotoE) + 7.003
5. Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) + 7.405
6. Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) + 9.475
7. Sete Gibernau (Join Contract Pons 40) + 9.513
8. Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) + 10.503
9. Nico Terol (OpenBank Angel Nieto Team) + 14.613
10. Jesko Raffin (Dynavolt Intact GP) + 14.711
Click here for the full results!