After the success of the first edition of the Champions of the Future Shifter in Portugal in 2024, the RGMMC group made the decision to organise another edition of the international competition for 125cc gearbox karts, which is very popular with drivers, but this time over two separate rounds. Before the big event in Franciacorta, scheduled for October, the season opener took place in Valencia from 7th to 10th May. Once again, many teams and drivers appreciated the warm welcome and extremely professional organisation they experienced in Spain. Victories went to Mattéo Spirgel in KZ and Max Orlov in KZ2.

KZ2: Max Orlov makes the difference in the Final
Kasper Schormans (NED) got his competition off to a perfect start with pole position, then went on to win all three of his heats. With a win each, Max Schleimer (GER), Juho Valtanen (FIN) and Max Orlov also showed that they had every intention of putting the pressure on the leader. Schormans confirmed his determination by winning his Super Heat, with the other going to Schleimer.

In the Final, Schormans didn't waver when the lights went out and held on to the lead, but Orlov leapt from the second row to run in his wake. Orlov found an opening on the fifth lap and went on to win in style. There were some superb duels for the podium in the Final, with brilliant comebacks from Jayden Thiem (NED) and Corentin Rousseau (FRA). It all came down to the wire in the last few seconds. Schleimer manoeuvred perfectly to secure himself 2nd position, leaving his rivals to battle it out.

Penalised, Rousseau dropped from 3rd to 9th place and it was Thien who took his place on the third step of the podium with a gap of just 42 thousandths over Schormans. Fast and consistent in Valencia, Elie Goldstein (BEL) completed the top five despite pressure from Jean Luyet (SUI). Excellent in OK, Noah Wolfe (GBR) showed that he was also mastering KZ2 with a convincing 7th place ahead of Alvar Siimesvaara (FIN), who moved up seven places. Valtanen, who finished 10th, lost his 4th place because of an incorrectly positioned front fairing at the finish.

KZ2 Final standings
1 Max Orlov - Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop
2 Max Schleimer (GER) Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop
3 Jayden Thien (NED) Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop
4 Kasper Schormans (NED) Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop
5 Elie Goldstein (BEL) TB Kart / TM Kart / Dunlop
…

KZ: Perfect control by Mattéo Spirgel from the first to the last lap!
In Valencia, Mattéo Spirgel (FRA) was dominant: pole position, two wins out of three in the heats, another success in the Super Heat and a solo victory in the Final. Only Jean Nomblot (FRA) managed to beat him in a heat and he was then rewarded with 3rd place in the Final, after giving way to Senna Van Walstijn (NED), who went from strength to strength as the race progressed and crossed the finish line in 2nd place.

Drivers such as Giuseppe Palomba (ITA), Lorenzo Travisanutto (ITA), Daniel Vasile (ROU), Danilo Albanese (ITA), Jorge Pescador (ESP), Pedro Hiltbrand (ESP) and Viktor Gustafsson (SWE) managed to break into the top six in pursuit of the leading group in this high-level competition. As for Adrian Malheiro Suñe (ESP), always well placed, he can be considered the revelation of the first Champions of the Future Shifter of the season. Cristian Bertuca (ITA) set the fastest lap of the Final.

KZ Final standings
1 Matteo Spirgel (FRA) Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop
2 Senna Van Walstijn (NED) Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop
3 Jean Nomblot (FRA) Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop
4 Adrian Malheiro Suñe (ESP) CRG / TM Kart / Dunlop
5 Viktor Gustafsson (SWE) CRG / TM Kart / Dunlop
…

 Press Release © RGMMC