Indian Rider Kavin Quintal Makes Strong Statement with Double Podium Finish in Spain

Jerez (Spain): Indian motorcycle racer Kavin Quintal made an impressive start to his 2026 Copa de España de Velocidad campaign, clinching two podium finishes in the opening round of the Spanish championship at the renowned Circuito de Jerez.

Representing the EasyRace Team, the 21-year-old rider from Chennai showcased excellent pace throughout the weekend. After securing a front-row start by qualifying second with a lap time of 1:45.549, Kavin delivered two strong performances in the Superbike 1000cc category. He finished second in Race 1 and followed it up with a third-place finish in Race 2 on Sunday.

In the opening race, Kavin narrowly missed victory, crossing the line just 0.605 seconds behind race winner Juan Maria Zarza. His consistency across both races immediately established him as one of the contenders in the championship.

The successful start marks an encouraging beginning to Kavin's first full season with EasyRace Team, one of Spain’s prominent motorcycle racing outfits. He joined the team in April after catching their attention during a wildcard appearance in 2025, when he finished an impressive fourth on his superbike debut in the series.

For the 2026 season, Kavin has secured a full-time ride with the team led by Eduardo Salvador Vera, gaining access to competitive BMW machinery and top-tier technical support.

Reflecting on his performance, Kavin said he was delighted with the way the season had begun and credited the team for helping him adapt quickly. While pleased with the two podium finishes, he emphasized that the championship remains long and fiercely competitive, with his focus firmly on continuous improvement and consistently challenging at the front while representing India on the international stage.

Widely regarded as one of India's most promising motorcycle racing talents, Kavin is the only Indian rider competing in this year's Copa de España de Velocidad. He has previously made history as one of the first Indians to participate in a Supersport 300 World Championship race during a WorldSBK weekend.

With a second-place and third-place finish already under his belt, Kavin and EasyRace Team have made an encouraging start to the season and will look to build on that momentum in the upcoming rounds of the 2026 championship.

With inputs from IANS