How Did 19-Year-Old Kavin Quintal Make History on His Superbike Debut in Spain?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kavin Quintal is the first Indian to finish in the top four at the Copa de España de Velocidad Superbike.
- He raced at the historic Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto.
- Kavin displayed remarkable skill and resilience despite facing challenges during the race.
- His performance highlights the growing potential of Indian talent in international motorsport.
- This achievement signifies a promising future for Kavin and Indian racing.
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), Oct 7 (NationPress) Kavin Samaar Quintal, a 19-year-old hailing from Chennai and part of the EasyRace team, carved his name in history by becoming the first Indian to achieve a top-four finish at Spain's prestigious Copa de España de Velocidad Superbike event, held at the legendary 4.4km Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto.
Kavin entered the race as a wildcard participant, backed by Gaman Racing Global Service from Teruel, and rode a BMW M1000RR amidst fierce competition that featured teams from Ducati, BMW, Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki.
He secured an impressive fourth place out of 29 competitors, demonstrating grit and determination to hold his ground even after a fall, clocking a race time of 14:20.782.
Kavin's performance showcased his exceptional talent and perseverance during one of Spain's elite national championships, which took place from October 3 to 5.
In the subsequent race, he finished in 7th position, underscoring his swift adjustment to the European racing circuit. The race was won by Spain's Daniel Saez, who rode a Yamaha.
The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, named in honor of Spain's motorcycle legend Angel Nieto, is a venue for top-tier Formula One and MotoGP events, marking Kavin's achievement as a significant milestone for Indian motorsport.
Born in 2005 in Chennai, Kavin currently competes in the AP250 class of the Asia Road Racing Championship with Honda Racing India.
He previously made history as the first Indian to compete in the World Supersport 300 Championship in the Czech Republic (2024) and participated in the FIM JuniorGP series that same year. His accolades include winning the Indian Honda Talent Cup NSF 250R (2021) and consistently strong performances in the Asia Talent Cup.
“Racing in Spain provides Kavin an unparalleled international platform to exhibit Indian talent at the highest level. This marks a pivotal moment towards achieving elite status,” expressed his father, Calvin Quintal.
“Competing in Spain has been a dream realized. Racing at Jerez sharpened my skills and offered invaluable experience. I am grateful to EasyRace and Gaman Racing for this opportunity,” remarked Kavin Quintal, whose grandfather, Pratap Kumar, once raced at the iconic Sholavaram, near Chennai.
BMW EasyRace Team Manager Eduardo Salvador stated, “Kavin's debut performance speaks volumes of his potential. We foresee a promising international career ahead.”
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