Last weekend saw youth riders from throughout Europe, and as far afield as the United States, descend on Albaida, Spain for the Honda 150 European Championship training camp. While the primary purpose of the training camp was to allow the riders to familiarise themselves with the four-stroke CRF150R, undergo physical assessment and benefit from the tutelage from stars from the Honda Racing Family, a selection process was also in place to decide who would join the pre-selected riders at the start gates in Pietramurata for the first round.
Throughout the weekend, series coach Gordon Crockard and Honda Europe’s Off-Road manager Davy Dousselaere observed the 13 riders who had not been pre-selected and assessed them based on their riding potential, riding position and style, general attitude and fitness. The young hopefuls were also watched closely by Team HRC MXGP rider Gautier Paulin and Team HRC Sporting Manager Jean-Michel Bayle who were on hand to offer guidance to the riders and assist Crockard and Dousselaere in making their selection.
Although there were only six places available in the championship, the other seven riders still have a chance to ride at one of the rounds. Three of the riders were chosen as reserves, to be called upon if someone is unable to attend an event or suffers an injury. Throughout the year, there is also the possibility to be called up as a wildcard rider for an event.
The six riders who were selected are:
Marc Antolin (ESP)
Andrea Bonifacio (ITA)
Luis Outeiro (PRT)
Alex Pettersson (SWE)
David Robson (GBR)
Jana Sanchez (ESP)
The three reserves are:
1st reserve: Jonas Bjerrum (DEN)
2nd reserve: Romain Delbrassine (BEL)
3rd reserve: Lorenzo Bernini (ITA)
Final entry list
| Marc Antolin (ESP) | Timothe Berry (FRA) |
| Jack Bintcliffe (GBR) | Andrea Bonifacio (ITA) |
| Alexandre Bours (FRA) | Mack Bouwense (NLD) |
| Alexis Collingnon (FRA) | Tim Edberg (SWE) |
| Max Erlandsson (SWE) | Hakon Fredrikson (NOR) |
| Raffaele Giuzio (ITA) | Carl Joergensen (SWE) |
| Tatu Junnola (FIN) | Albin Larsen (SWE) |
| Viking Lindstrom (SWE) | Leandro Luedi (SUI) |
| Yago Martinez (ESP) | Hardy W. Munoz (CHI) |
| Archie Osmaston (GBR) | Luis Outeiro (PRT) |
| Alex Petterson (SWE) | Matthew Pocock (GBR) |
| David Robson (GBR) | Frederico Rocha (PRT) |
| Jana Sanchez (ESP) | Bennet Schaefer (GER) |
| Slade Tressler (USA) | Henry Vesilind (EST) |
| Emil Weckman (FIN) | Rick Wenneckes (NLD) |
The Honda 150 European Championship is designed to provide young riders between the ages of 11 and 14 with four-stroke experience and prepare them for riding in European championships and World championships. The winner of the championship will receive a 2016 Honda supported ride in the European 250 championship. The first round will be at the first European event in the MXGP calendar at Pietramurata, Italy, on the 18th and 19th of April.