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Juan Velarde is one of the few people that can fly in this competition and he gives his all in each race. This positive attitude has propelled him forward, making this his best season in the competition.
From the first race of the season in Abu Dhabi, things were already looking promising for Juan Velarde. The first event of the year is always important, and he passed the test with flying colours. In the pilot’s own words, during the race weekend he felt “the most relaxed I’ve ever felt since I started competing”. He performed extremely well and reached the final heat, cinching second place.
He didn’t do as well during the next event in San Diego, but the Repsol pilot was able to focus on getting used to the ailerons and electronics. Things got a bit more complicated in Chiba (Japan), where he left feeling frustrated. Then, in Budapest, he made a comeback on a very entertaining track: “I was able to concentrate despite the pressure and, although the results could have been better, I’ve racked up some more points and, even more importantly, I’ve had a good time”.
This winning attitude led Velarde to compete for a place in the top four at the event in Kazan. He came close, but didn’t quite make it. Nevertheless, he ensured that his team picked up six points by placing 5th in the race. In the end, the Repsol pilot felt satisfied with the results: “We flew well and were able to overcome the poor results of the last races”.
Things didn’t go as he had hoped in Oporto, but at the following test in Lausitz (Germany), the good feeling was back stronger than ever, catapulting Velarde to a 4th-place finish. This momentum carried him to a spectacular podium position at the final race in Indianapolis.
As usual, the pilot dedicated a few words to the team that has been with him over the course of the year: “I’m happy, the whole team is happy, and I’m happy for them. They’ve worked hard and during the second half of the season it’s all paid off”.
It’s been a season to remember, and the best part is that Juan’s performance is only getting better. Next year we hope to see him improve even more, fighting his way to the podium in every race.