Jaume Masia only needed one race to find a place in the world championship. The Spaniard replaced the injured Darryn Binder in Austria and was able to compete with the best of the race on his first appearance and even set the fastest lap.
The Platinum Bay Real Estate team, led by Fiorenzo Caponera, has wasted no time signing a two-year contract with Masia for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Jaime will take Binder’s place on the team and ride a KTM.
“The story of Jaumes hiring is really a fairy tale with a happy ending, as our grandparents told us so many years ago,” said team manager Caponera. The young driver made his debut on the Austrian racetrack and replaced the injured Darryn Binder. Right from the start, the feeling between the team and the driver was incredible, we were impressed with his determination and maturity, and his freshness and undeniable talent won over the team and the title sponsor. After the race we looked at each other and said this rider has to be ours, we can and want to let him grow and see his debut in the MotoGP World Championship! Jaume felt the same way about us. It was a shared, fantastic “love at first sight”, and today we are very happy that Jaume will be part of our program for at least two years. “
Masia commented: “I am very excited to be with Platinum Bay for the next two years and I am grateful for the trust that has been placed in me. It will give me the confidence and calmness to focus in the first year on adjusting to the championship with the aim of being prepared and ready to fight at the top in the second year. I felt so comfortable with the team at my first race in Austria that I thought platinum was the best option for jumping into the world championship. Finally, I would like to thank Cuna de Campeones for giving me the opportunity to compete in FIM CEV this year, it meant a lot to me, it would not have been possible without her support. “