When the new EURO MOTO series hits the Grand Prix circuit in Brno, Czech Republic, on the last weekend in May, all eyes will be on a local hero: Štěpán Zuda. Following his spectacular one-two finish at the season opener at the Sachsenring, the 20-year-old arrives as one of the title favorites in the EURO MOTO Sportbike class.
The races at the Sachsenring came down to a nail-biting finish. The first race was particularly dramatic: after a violent collision with a rival, Zuda nearly crashed, but managed to save his bike in spectacular fashion and continued to battle for the win. Race officials later penalized his opponent for the risky move, disqualifying him and declaring Zuda the winner. In the second race, the only Czech rider in the field repeated the result on his own merits with even more momentum. The Liberec-born racer competes on a Triumph Daytona 660 for the German Freudenberg RORA-PALIGO Racing Team. Following his opening-round success, he is now considered a hot title contender in the smallest EURO MOTO class.
Just one week after his one-two finish, Štěpán Zuda was close to celebrating another milestone. His team had secured him a spot in the Sportbike World Championship at Most. However, a crash during Superpole resulted in a hand injury. The 20-year-old will be back in action in time for the EURO MOTO races at his home track in Brno.
The Czech colors Supersport also well represented in the larger EURO MOTO Supersport series. A total of four riders are competing there. Filip Novotný is from Brno. The 18-year-old was already attending World Championship races with his father just outside the city at the age of two. He made his breakthrough three years ago in the Northern Talent Cup. Currently, the Ducati rider is seventh overall in the new EURO MOTO Supersport class. At the season opener at the Sachsenring, he secured two top-10 finishes.
The Czech quartet also includes Yamaha riders Filip Feigl, Petr Feigl, and Jindřich Škopek. At just 17 years old, Škopek is one of the youngest riders in the entire field.