A MotoGP veteran's impact on a historic win: The story of how a retired racer helped a Chinese brand claim its first-ever motorcycle world title.
Efren Vazquez, a Grand Prix veteran, has been away from the full-time racing scene for nearly a decade, yet his influence was pivotal in the 2025 WorldSSP300 championship. This year, a 17-year-old named Benat Fernandez, riding a Kove motorcycle, claimed the championship title. It was a groundbreaking win, not just for Fernandez but also for Kove and China, as it marked their first-ever world title in motorcycle racing. While David Alonso's 2024 Moto3 win on a CFMoto bike was impressive, it's important to note that CFMoto was essentially a rebranded KTM, whereas the Kove 321RR was designed and built entirely by Kove, making this win even more significant.
Vazquez, a two-time Moto3 grand prix winner himself, played a crucial role in Fernandez's success. Hailing from the same Basque region as Vazquez, Fernandez credits the veteran for instilling discipline, focus, and a winning mindset. "He showed me the importance of discipline, effort, and maintaining a calm and consistent routine," Fernandez shared. "This, I believe, was the key to our success. Staying focused and not getting distracted is crucial in racing, and Vazquez's guidance was invaluable."
But here's where it gets controversial... Fernandez's speed and success in his rookie season came as a surprise, even to himself. He took pole position and won Race 2 at the opening round in Portimao, a feat he couldn't have imagined achieving in his first race. "My goal was simply to give my all in every race, and I never dreamed of winning my first race. It was a fantastic season, and the bike felt great from the start, allowing me to push hard and achieve what I did."
And this is the part most people miss... The Team 109 squad Fernandez joined for 2025 was an unlikely contender for the championship. They were a one-rider team with limited factory support, running the previous year's factory 321RR bikes. Team boss Paul Tobin admits that, from the outside, this combination didn't seem like a likely championship-winning team. "It was an incredible year. From the moment we took on the Kove bike and Benat, we had an Irish team, a young Basque rider, and a Chinese manufacturer. It wasn't an obvious choice for a championship win, but Benat's speed and our momentum carried us through. Winning the last race of the World Supersport 300 Championship was like a dream, and even those who watch the sport closely said it was the most incredible championship end they'd seen. It was all down to Benat's skill and his ability to deliver in the final corner of Jerez."
So, what do you think? Was this an unlikely win, or did the team and rider have what it takes all along? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
