Granado wins from Garzo, Smith to set up MotoE title decider

Full Valencia MotoE Race 1 results

Eric Granado has claimed his maiden MotoE race win in the opening Valencia race to create a title showdown between Hector Garzo, Bradley Smith and championship leader Matteo Ferrari in the final race tomorrow.

The Avintia Esponsorama Racing rider made a poor getaway from pole position to see Smith grab the lead over the opening laps but having demonstrated strong race pace the Brazilian reeled in his British rival over the seven-lap sprint race.

At the start of the penultimate lap Granado made his move diving up the inside of Smith at Turn 1, with Garzo following through later in the lap before getting the move done at Turn 14.

That triggered an almighty battle between Garzo and Smith for second place, looking for points to close down the gap on Ferrari in the championship, which allowed Granado to escape to victory in the Valencia opener.

Garzo held off Smith for second place with the One Energy Racing rider having to settle for the final place on the podium.

Ferrari saw off Xavier Simeon to take fourth place which means the Trentino Gresini rider takes a 12-point lead into the final race over Garzo with Smith still in title contention 21 points off Ferrari.

With Simeon taking fifth place for Avintia, Alex de Angelis grabbed sixth place for the Octo Pramac team ahead of Niccolo Canepa on the LCR E-Team bike.

Jesko Raffin claimed eighth place for Dynavolt Intact GP ahead of Josh Hook on the Octo Pramac as Mattia Casadei completed the top 10 for Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse.