Kavin Quintal bags two podiums on Copa de España debut at Jerez
Synopsis
At just 21, Chennai's Kavin Quintal walked into the 2026 Copa de España de Velocidad and walked out with two podiums — a P2 and a P3 at Jerez. As the only Indian in the field, riding BMW machinery for EasyRace Team, he has announced himself not as a wildcard curiosity but as a genuine front-runner in one of Europe's toughest superbike championships.
Key Takeaways
Kavin Quintal secured two podiums — 2nd and 3rd place — at the 2026 Copa de España de Velocidad opener on 2 June at Circuito de Jerez .
He qualified second fastest with a lap time of 1:45.549 and finished Race 1 just 0.605 seconds behind winner Juan Maria Zarza .
Kavin joined EasyRace Team in April 2026 for a full-season campaign after a wildcard fourth-place finish in 2025 .
He is the only Indian rider in the 2026 Copa de España de Velocidad .
He is also among the first Indians to race in the Supersport 300 World Championship during a WorldSBK weekend.
Indian motorcycle racer Kavin Quintal made an emphatic entry into the 2026 Copa de España de Velocidad on 2 June, claiming two podium finishes at the opening round held at the Circuito de Jerez. Riding for EasyRace Team, the Chennai-born rider finished second in Race 1 and third in Race 2 in the Superbike 1000cc category, immediately establishing himself as a front-runner in one of Europe's most competitive motorcycle championships.
Qualifying and Race Results
Kavin, who turned 21 last month, qualified on the front row with a lap time of 1:45.549 — the second fastest on the grid. In Race 1, he crossed the line just 0.605 seconds behind winner Juan Maria Zarza, securing the runner-up spot. He backed it up on Sunday with a third-place finish in Race 2, completing a highly productive opening weekend.
The EasyRace Team Partnership
Kavin joined EasyRace Team — one of Spain's leading motorcycle racing outfits, headed by Eduardo Salvador Vera — in April 2026 for a full-season campaign. The move followed a wildcard appearance in 2025, during which he finished a remarkable fourth on his superbike debut in the championship. The full-season deal gives him access to top-level technical support and proven BMW machinery.
What Kavin Said
'I am extremely happy with how the season has started. Joining EasyRace Team earlier this year for a full season was a major step in my career, and everyone in the team has worked incredibly hard to help me settle in quickly. To come away from the opening round with two podium finishes is very encouraging, but this is only the beginning. The championship is long and highly competitive, and my focus is on continuing to learn, improve, and consistently fight at the front while proudly representing India on the international stage,' Kavin said.
India's Growing Presence in International Motorsport
Kavin is the sole Indian rider competing in the 2026 Copa de España de Velocidad. He has also earned recognition as one of the first Indians to compete in the Supersport 300 World Championship race during a WorldSBK weekend. This comes amid a broader, gradual rise of Indian riders in European motorcycle racing circuits, making his early podiums a notable marker for the country's motorsport ambitions.
What's Next
With two podiums secured from the season opener, Kavin and EasyRace Team head into the remaining rounds of the 2026 campaign with early championship momentum. How he manages the consistency demanded by the full calendar will be the key test of his title credentials.
Point of View
Not just present. What makes Kavin Quintal's Jerez result significant is the context: a full-season contract, proven machinery, and a team with genuine infrastructure. The wildcard fourth in 2025 bought him credibility; the 2026 podiums buy him expectation. The harder question is whether Indian motorsport institutions and sponsors will now back that trajectory with the sustained investment it demands, or whether this remains a headline without a pipeline behind it.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kavin Quintal and what did he achieve at Jerez?
Kavin Quintal is a 21-year-old Indian motorcycle racer from Chennai competing in the 2026 Copa de España de Velocidad for EasyRace Team. At the season-opening round at Circuito de Jerez on 2 June, he finished second in Race 1 and third in Race 2 in the Superbike 1000cc category.
What is the Copa de España de Velocidad?
The Copa de España de Velocidad is one of Spain's premier national motorcycle racing championships, featuring highly competitive Superbike 1000cc racing. Kavin Quintal is the only Indian rider on the 2026 grid.
How did Kavin Quintal join EasyRace Team?
Kavin joined EasyRace Team in April 2026 for a full-season campaign after impressing the squad during a wildcard appearance in 2025, when he finished fourth on his superbike debut in the championship. The team is headed by Eduardo Salvador Vera.
What is Kavin Quintal's significance for Indian motorsport?
Kavin is the sole Indian competing in the 2026 Copa de España de Velocidad and is also recognised as one of the first Indians to race in the Supersport 300 World Championship during a WorldSBK weekend, marking a growing presence for Indian riders in European motorcycle racing.
What are Kavin Quintal's chances for the 2026 championship?
With two podiums from the opening round, Kavin has established early championship momentum. However, the Copa de España de Velocidad is a long and competitive season, and consistent performance across all remaining rounds will determine his title prospects.
