Fernandez Drives Team 109 to a Milestone 300 Finale in Cork Championship Charge

Team 109, known as Retro Traffic Kove, is set for an exciting finale in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship, taking place this weekend in Jerez, Spain. Their talented rider, Benat Fernandez, holds a ten-point lead in the championship standings, with two crucial races scheduled. This season marks the last for the Supersport 300 class before it transitions to the World Sportbike class in 2026.

Championship Outlook

The stakes are high for Fernandez, a 17-year-old racing prodigy. With a maximum of 50 points available over the weekend, the first race is pivotal. His closest rival, Australia’s Carter Thompson, trails by ten points. Spain’s David Salvador and Italy’s Matteo Vannucci follow in the standings, 22 points and 46 points behind respectively.

• Benat Fernandez (Kove 321 RR-S) – 1st Place, 0 points
• Carter Thompson (Kawasaki Ninja 400) – 10 points behind
• David Salvador (Kawasaki Ninja 400) – 22 points behind
• Matteo Vannucci (Yamaha YZF-R3) – 46 points behind

Fernandez’s local support is significant as he aims to capitalize on his successful debut season, which includes five fastest laps. “I’m really excited about this championship finale,” Fernandez shared, hinting at his determination to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion.

Team Insights

Paul Tobin, team principal, discussed the pressure that comes with a lead. “A ten-point lead is better than a deficit. It brings confidence,” he stated. The team’s performance at Jerez has historically been strong, achieving podium finishes in past races.

Tobin emphasized the importance of the first race, indicating it could dictate the outcome of the championship. “The advice to Benat is to go out and win the race; there’s no safety switch,” he added.

Additional Racing Action

While Team 109 prepares for their championship finale, the Central European Rally, a key event in the World Rally Championship, is also taking place. Leading the rally is Sebastien Ogier, with a narrow 1.6-second advantage over Kalle Rovanpera after the first leg. The competition continues with six additional stages remaining today.

• Sebastien Ogier – 1st Place, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
• Kalle Rovanpera – 2nd Place, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 (+1.6 seconds)
• Adrien Fourmaux – 3rd Place, Hyundai i20 N Rally1 (+3.9 seconds)
• Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy – 10th Place, Ford Puma Rally1

As the weekend unfolds, racing enthusiasts will be keenly watching both Fernandez’s pursuit of championship glory and the unfolding drama of the Central European Rally.