Jonathan Barragan tops in Spanish MXElite
During the fifth round of the Spanish MX Elite Championship in Ponts, near Lleida, there was no limit for Jonathan Barragan. The Spanish LS Honda rider won both heats and is now within 3 points of Alvaro Lozano, the champion of two years ago. Barragan shared the day's podium with DIGA Racing rider José-Antonio Butron (2-2) and Alvaro Lozano (3-3). French SX specialist Fabien Izoird finished fourth.
With temperatures of up to 35° C, it was not only very hot in Ponts, the circuit was heavy with many different lines due to the abundant spraying in the morning. During qualifying, however, Jonathan immediately set the fastest time, more than half a second faster than Butron, who achieved his first GP podium in Brazil last weekend. The same Butron was the early leader in the first heat until he made a mistake. Barragan easily took the lead and rode smoothly to victory. At the finish Jonathan was 26 seconds ahead of Butron and 37 seconds ahead of Lozano respectively.
The public also saw an eager Spanish champion in the second series. Until halfway through the race, the LS Honda Racing rider was in conflict with Butron. When the KTM rider crashed, Barragan was given free rein and took his second victory of the day.
The Spanish championship has eight races, the next race is Jonathan's home race in El Molar, Madrid on June 24.
Jonathan Barragan: “Ponts went very well, although it was a very tough race due to the heat and the condition of the course. My starts were good, and the rhythm and speed were also fine. I also did well in the championship which was important as I had some points to make up. Now I want to continue this line to the coming GPs.”
MX Elite Ponts race 1: 1. Jonathan Barragan (LS Honda Racing), 2. José Antonio Butron, 3. Alvaro Lozano, 4. Fabien Izoird, 5. Joan Cortes, 6. José Luis Martinez, 7. Maxime Lesage, 8. Jaume Betriu, 9. Kevin Ballanger, 10. Raul Alvarez
MX Elite Ponts race 2: 1: 1. Jonathan Barragan (LS Honda Racing), 2. José Antonio Butron, 3. Alvaro Lozano, 4. Fabien Izoird, 5. Joan Cortes, 6. Maxime Lesage, 7. José Luis Martinez, 8. Jaume Betriu, 9. Ramon Brucart, 10. Kevin Ballanger
Final score MXElite Ponts 1. Jonathan Barragan (LS Honda Racing) 50 pts, 2. José Antonio Butron 44, 3. Alvaro Lozano 40, 4. Fabien Izoird 36, 5. Joan Cortes 32, 6. Maxime Lesage 29, 7. José Luis Martinez 29, 8. Jaume Betriu 26, 9. Kevin Ballanger 23, 10. Ramon Brucar 22
MXElite-Spanish Championship after 5 rounds 1. Alvaro Lozano 218 pts, 2. Jonathan Barragan (LS Honda Racing) 215, 3. José Antonio Butron 188, 4. Joan Cortes 158, 5. Raul Alvarez 147, 6. Jaume Betriu 132, 7. Kevin Ballanger 113, 8. José Luis Martinez 107, 9. Fabien Izoird 102, 10. Roger Ballus 89
Next weekend, Jonathan Barragan will be at the start in Saint-Jean d'Angély, France for the sixth round of the MX1 World Championship.
Photos: Ray Archer
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