Birel ART's Alva scores first EasyKart Italy podium of 2018

Racing in the 100cc class for the Indian arm of Birel ART, Alva qualified sixth for the pre-finals at the Circuit Pomposo. He charged his way up to third, but a tap from a rival karter dropped him back to sixth.

Despite the setback, he recovered enough to finish fourth, which became his starting position for the finals.

With a podium finish in his sight, Alva pressurised the third-placed karter from the very onset before two retirements made his life easy and promoted him to second.

It was his first rostrum result of the year and brought an end to a streak of bad luck, including several crashes that were caused by no fault of his own.

“I am very happy to get back on the podium,” he said. “My performance this weekend was quite good, though it could have been better.

“However, the podium has given me lot of confidence after having finished ninth in the previous two rounds. I look forward to carry forward this momentum into the next round in July,” said Ruhaan.

Alva’s teammate Rishon Magehalli recovered from an early crash to finish fifth, while Mihir Avalakki, who also racing for Birel ART, was classified ninth after engine issues in pre-finals.

Vivaan Chiripal’s kart was heavily damaged in an incident, but he managed to nurse it to the finish, crossing the line in 13th.

Finally, Aadi Karande, who is also a part of Birel ART’s five-strong line-up but races in the 60cc category, finished 15th after being involved in an exciting three-way scrap.