Kenny Noyes finished third on the Podium in Jerez

Kenny Noyes (Palmeto Kawasaki) took a hard-fought third at Jerez de la Frontera in the second round of the Spanish 1000cc Extreme Championship at Jerez de la Frontera. The Spanish-born American occasionally led and was always battling for the lead during the 17-lap national. At the end was third back of Ivan Silva (Kawasaki) and reigning Spanish Extreme Champion Carmelo Morales, with just over a second covering the top three finishers.

Noyes was second on the 30-rider grid after qualifying and was prepared for a four or five-rider scrap. He was in the midst of a wild gaggle of 1000cc Extreme bikes and a couple of the lighter Moto2 prototypes going to the up-hill turn one, but was second at the end of the opening lap. From then it was a four-rider battle at the front.

The constant over-takings had fans on their feet and TVE commentators shouting in the booth as Kenny along with Morales, Silva, four-times national champion Jose de Gea (Suzuki) and Javier del Amor swapping positions and a little paint in what was easily the most exciting Spanish National in recent years.

When Silva made his move to the front on the penultimate lap, Noyes and Morales got into a wild battle that probably allowed Silva a slight advantage. At the end the order was Silva, Morales and Noyes. Fans and commentators saw a great final lap with Kenny passing Morales at the Dry Sack Hairpin and at the Nieto right-hander. A missed gear coming out of the hairpin let Morales back through and then Morales slipped back past again after the double apex Nieto-Peluqui corners. Kenny made one last run up the inside of Morales on the brakes at the final hairpin, but the Yamaha rider came back inside on the exit and took second on the short run to the flag.

Kenny said, “The race was exciting and lots of fun. After practice I knew we would be in the battle for the win. The truth is we lost a bit in the beginning while the rear tire was getting up to temperature.

After all the jostling and banging in the first few bends I got up to second and sat for a couple of laps behind de Gea, but I knew that his pace was a little slower that what Morales, Del Amor and Silva could do. I was waiting for them to come along and, when they did, I went with them. All weekend we have been having some vibration in the front, especially in the fast rights back of the paddock and that was what kept us back a bit. This was compensated for in part by the real good and consistent grip from the Michelin rear tire.

The battle was really fun. I don't know how many times a passed Morales on that last lap but today we came up just a bit short. Now we have two days of Michelin tests coming up at Valencia before our next race there and when we get the front sorted out we’ll give them an even harder time!"