Friday, 23 June, PENAFIEL (Portugal): The UIM-ABP Aquabike European Continental Championship reaches its climax this weekend in Penafiel in northern Portugal, with a raft of titles up for grabs and likely new champions to be crowned.

The first of the action kicks off at 12.00hrs [local] today with free practice and followed by official qualifying at 15.20hrs. Motos1&2 take place on Saturday with Moto3 at 11.00hrs on Sunday.

In Runabout GP1 a new name will appear on the silverware with four-time champion Jeremy Perez absent at the opener in Zadar. The fight for the title looks to be a three way dice between Marcus Jorgensen, who is also on track to retain his GP2, Daniel Lasselsberger a point behind him on 49 with Alessio Schintu a further point adrift. But with 75 points up for grabs and just 17 splitting the top six there may well be a surprise in store.

Defending champion Kevin Reiterer will need a minor miracle if he is to retain his Ski GP1 title, starting 46 points adrift and tied in fifth spot with Alberto Monti and Stian Schjetlein, behind the man with one hand already on the trophy, Raphael Maurin, who took maximum points in Zadar.

Chasing him is Daniel Svae Andersen who will also be looking to add the GP2 title to the world title he picked up in Porto Cesareo, and he is well-placed ahead in points of Marten Manni, with points’ leader and defending GP2 champion Nacho Armillas out after breaking a leg in the opener.

In Ski Ladies Jonna Borgstrom has a five point advantage over Katriin Nilbe who looks to be her main challenger, with defending champion Emma-Nellie Ortendahl looking set to concede her crown after picking up just 13 points in round 1.

In Freestyle the Florjancic brothers Rok and Nac will battle it out for the title, Jordi Tomas leads in Runabout GP4, Alec Enderli Ski GP3 and Mattias Reinaas and Esteban Lopez head their categories in Ski Junior.

For further information go to: aquabike.net