Johann Emmanuel secures points in European superbike championship; podium for Geoffrey in Thailand
Chennai, June 22
The Emmanuel brothers from Chennai, Johann and Geoffrey, came up with stunning displays over the weekend in the Yamaha R7 Cup run along with the European Superbike Championship and the BRICS Championship, respectively.
Johann Emmanuel, astride the Yamaha R7 and nursing a fractured wrist he had suffered during training, became the first Indian to score points with a seventh-place finish in the European Superbike Championship (ESBK) at Estoril, Portugal, marking a significant milestone for Indian motorcycle racing.
The teenager, who won the 2025 Qatar Championship and was crowned the 2025 KTM Cup Season 3 Pro Champion in India, is competing in the Yamaha R7 Cup, a one-make series that runs alongside the ESBK.
After a promising opening round in which he was running in podium positions before crashes ended both races, Johann returned in stronger form at the Circuito do Estoril in Portugal.
Starting 10th on the grid for Race 2, he steadily worked his way through the field, clocking fast and consistent lap times throughout the race.
His efforts were rewarded with a seventh-place
finish, securing his first points in European competition and making him the first Indian rider to score points in the European Superbike Championship.
Emmanuel also demonstrated impressive pace by setting the third-fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:49.875. His lap was quicker than the fastest lap recorded by race winner Daniel Ocete of Spain, who posted a 1:49.910.
Meanwhile, in Buriram, Thailand, 21-year-old Geoffrey Emmanuel secured a spectacular second-place finish for Gusto Racing at the Chang International Circuit during the latest round of the BRIC (Buriram United International Circuit) Championship last weekend.
Facing down a highly competitive grid on a brand-new track, Emmanuel delivered a fierce, edge-of-your-seat battle for the victory, ultimately crossing the line to claim a hard-fought second-place podium finish.
With this podium under his belt, Geoffrey continues to solidify his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents coming out of India. The focus now shifts to the next rounds of the championship, with Gusto Racing looking to carry this upward trajectory into the rest of the season.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So proud to see our boys making waves! Johann setting the third-fastest lap faster than the race winner - that's some serious pace. Hope the wrist heals quickly and he gets even more points. Geoffrey's second place is also a great boost. Thalaivar level stuff! 👏🔥
Impressive performances but the real story here is the gap between Indian and European racing infrastructure. These riders are clearly talented, but with better support and training facilities back home, many more could reach this level. Hope this inspires local investment in motorsport.
First Indian to score points in European Superbike Championship - what a milestone! The third-fastest lap stat shows he's not just scraping through, he's genuinely competing at the front. Can't wait for the next rounds. India's motorsport future is looking bright! 🏍️🇮🇳
Wonderful to see the Emmanuel brothers making their mark! However, I hope the media and sponsors don't just jump on the bandwagon now - consistent support is key. They need long-term backing, not just one-off coverage. Hope this becomes a regular feature in sports news.
Geoffrey's podium in Thailand is incredible! And Johann setting a faster lap than the winner while nursing a broken wrist - that's like something from a movie. Chennai boys are making us proud. Should get more recognition than Bollywood celebrities honestly.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.