2014 FIM Motocross World Championship – Round Nine – Saint Jean d’Angely
Round nine of the FIM Motocross World Championship allowed the crowd to fully appreciate the blistering fast speeds the riders of MXGP carry as they held the throttles on their four stroke machines wide open up and down hard clay based hills of Saint Jean d’Angely. With the hard pack base demanding throttle control, and the hills demanding traction, horsepower and perfected aerodynamics, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings shone.
MXGP
A racer should always push until the checkered flag and today Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle proved exactly why. After putting himself in a good position in both races, second place behind Cairoli, Desalle wound up the beneficiary of the champ’s errors in not one, but two races allowing him to take two race wins for his second perfect score of the year.
The final two laps of MXGP’s race two put Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek to the ultimate test as he pulled out all the stops to keep the seven-time world champion Antonio Cairoli at bay. Digging deep paid off for the Belgian as he defeated Cairoli by a hair for second overall and his eighth podium out of a possible nine this season.
Today can confirm that Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s super talented world champion Antonio Cairoli is in human after all, as the Italian was forced back to third after a costly error with two laps to go in both races. While it’s not often the MXGP red plate holder makes errors of this caliber, it happened and cost him a couple of spots on the podium. “Overall this weekend was going good, it is difficult to be focused over the last couple of weeks with everything that has happened and especially on a track like we had today. In the first race it was for sure my mistake, but in the second race it was a little bit because of a lapped rider, I panicked a little bit and braked too hard on the front so I slipped away on this slick surface, but overall it’s ok. I have no injury, so I am going away looking forward for the next GP.”
Local hero Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Steven Frossard kept his French fans on their toes today when a mistake in race one forced him to impressively fight forward from well outside of the top twenty to eventually cross the line in sixth. Meanwhile in race two, the Frenchman started up front and pressured Van Horebeek for third for a good part of the race but unfortunately couldn’t find a place on the hard and tricky St Jean d’Angely circuit to find some extra speed meaning he would have to settle for fourth and fourth overall.
Rounding out the top five Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev rode two solid races to take home a trio of fifths. Fifth place in both motos gave the Russian fifth overall.
MXGP Race 1 top ten: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 33:48.880; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:00.602; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:34.663; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:37.158; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:41.290; 6. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:45.568; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Honda), +1:01.240; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:06.237; 9. Dennis Ullrich (GER, KTM), +1:08.293; 10. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), +1:15.518.
MXGP Race 2 top ten: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 33:47.790; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:01.575; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:01.774; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:06.786; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:42.302; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:53.826; 7. Rui Goncalves (POR, Yamaha), +0:55.634; 8. Matiss Karro (LAT, KTM), +1:09.383; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), +1:13.164; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:13.964.
MXGP Overall top ten: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 50 points; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 42 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 42 p.; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 33 p.; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 32 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 26 p.; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 24 p.; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, YAM), 23 p.; 9. Matiss Karro (LAT, KTM), 23 p.; 10. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 23 p.
MXGP World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 393 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 373 p.; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 358 p.; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 276 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, KAW), 205 p.; 6. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 197 p.; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 183 p.; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 168 p.; 9. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 166 p.; 10. Xavier Boog (FRA, HON), 159 p.
MXGP Manufacturer: 1. KTM, 393 points; 2. Suzuki, 383 p.; 3. Yamaha, 358 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 340 p.; 5. Honda, 282 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 200 p.; 7. TM, 167 p.
MX2
Yet another flawless meeting is in the bag for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings despite his biggest threat in the championship Arnaud Tonus starting near the front in both races. While Tonus ran a good pace today, it was evident that the speed and skill of Herlings is just on another level with the Dutch teenager to run away with another fifty points.
Take nothing away from CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus; the Swiss sensation definitely threw everything he could at the Flying Dutchman in race two. Although he showed a fair amount of promise early on in the race, ‘The Bullet’ proved once again to be just too good. “I am happy, I think I improved over the weekend, we worked a little bit on the bike and it got better and better and then in the second moto I was a little bit closer to Jeffrey, I try my best every weekend and I try to get closer and closer and I hope to beat him one time.”
The battle of French pride between Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier stole the attention of the boisterous crowd throughout both motos. With both French youngsters brawling for the final spot on the podium, in the end it was Tixier who prevailed forcing Febvre to settle for fourth. Tixier proudly said, “It’s always really good to be on the podium in France in front of all of the public, my French fans, all of my family. It was a nice weekend for me.”
All Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod wants to do is uncork a bottle of champagne. Just when the Swiss looked right on track for his first ever MX2 Grand Prix podium, something went wrong. An incredible ride in race one landed the 2013 EMX250 Champion in third behind fellow Swiss Tonus, but all hope for a podium finish was soon thrown out the window when a crash over a double jump early in race two spoiled what could have been. The Swiss finished fifth.
Meanwhile the third of the young French MX2 stars CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis had more or less an “off” weekend only managing to secure two sixths for sixth.
MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:07.083; 2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:19.178; 3. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +0:20.249; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:30.491; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:41.655; 6. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:56.313; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Yamaha), +1:01.818; 8. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +1:09.508; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +1:13.405; 10. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), +1:15.163.
MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:38.863; 2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:08.844; 3. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:42.104; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:48.795; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:55.255; 6. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:24.411; 7. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +1:25.905; 8. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), +1:26.927; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +1:27.220; 10. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:41.044
MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, KAW), 44 p.; 3. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 34 p.; 5. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 32 p.; 6. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 30 p.; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 26 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 26 p.; 9. Petar Petrov (BUL, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, YAM), 22 p.
MX2 World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 394 points; 2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, KAW), 349 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 297 p.; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 291 p.; 5. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 278 p.; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 235 p.; 7. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 216 p.; 8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 205 p.; 9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 199 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 176 p.
MX2 Manufacturer: 1. KTM, 424 points; 2. Kawasaki, 375 p.; 3. Husqvarna, 303 p.; 4. Suzuki, 275 p.; 5. Honda, 245 p.; 6. Yamaha, 242 p.; 7. TM, 6 p.
The French crowd never lacks enthusiasm, they are some of the most passionate fans in the world and thanks to French legend Livia Lancelot this was bought to full fruition this morning as the talented beauty took a pair of awe inspiring wins this weekend to win round four of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship in dominating style.
In race one yesterday afternoon, Team One One Four’s Livia Lancelot took the holeshot and checked out, looking at home on the circuit of St. Jean d’Angely to win race one eleven seconds clear of Yamaha MX Fonta Racing’s Chiara Fontanesi. Coming home in third, Team Dragon Moto’s Stephanie Laier held off a hard fought challenge from Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Meghan Rutledge, while Larissa Papenmeier rounded out the top five.
With the drop of the gate for WMX race two, Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Meghan Rutledge seemed to be the most hungry for a good start flying out of the gate to take the holeshot ahead of the fan favorite Team One One Four’s Livia Lancelot. The early season red plate holder was in the prime position to show one of the biggest motocrossing nations, France, what she’s got although having race one winner Lancelot hot on her heels was never going to be an easy feat.
After pushing hard on the first three laps, Rutledge gave and inch and Lancelot took a mile a couple of corners before pit lane to take over the lead. Upon doing so the crowd went wild, chain saws were screaming, horns were blowing as Lancelot went on to win her second race of the weekend for a perfect score. As for Rutledge, the Australian talent kept Lancelot honest the entire race with lapped traffic obstructing what could have been a magnificent last lap challenge for the lead. Nevertheless, the effort of the Bud Racing Kawasaki rider was inspiring as she finished less than one second behind the hometown hero for second.
Meanwhile the fight for third between Team Dragon Moto’s Stephanie Laier and Yamaha MX Fonta Racing’s Chiara Fontanesi was hot. Initially Laier occupied third but couldn’t hold off the attack from the defending champion Fontanesi. With Fontanesi going through, Laier was left to eat roost the entire race, which she did as she planned a retaliation that would never amount.
Rounding out the top five, a whopping thirty seconds back from Laier in fourth, Hitachi Construction Machinery UK KTM’s Natalie Kane couldn’t come to grips with the track here in St. Jean d’Angely, meaning she would have to be happy with a fifth and a sixth this weekend for fifth overall.
With the combination of results from both races, French fans were stoked to listen to their national anthem which was played thanks to the wins of their female motocross star Team One One Four’s Livia Lancelot. Rounding out the podium Yamaha MX Fonta Racing’s Chiara Fontanesi put together a second and a third for second while Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Meghan Rutledge rounded out the top three with a second and a fourth.
WMX Race 1 top ten: 1. Livia Lancelot (FRA, Kawasaki), 25:19.118; 2. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:10.819; 3. Stephanie Laier (GER, Suzuki), +0:12.018; 4. Meghan Kat Rutledge (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:13.961; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Suzuki), +0:24.987; 6. Natalie Kane (IRL, KTM), +1:12.754; 7. Justine Charroux (FRA, Yamaha), +1:16.126; 8. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +1:21.583; 9. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +1:26.054; 10. Marianne Veenstra (NED, Husqvarna), +1:38.354.
WMX Race 2 top ten: 1. Livia Lancelot (FRA, Kawasaki), 25:56.591; 2. Meghan Kat Rutledge (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:00.987; 3. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:23.701; 4. Stephanie Laier (GER, Suzuki), +0:26.485; 5. Natalie Kane (IRL, KTM), +0:56.921; 6. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Suzuki), +1:03.893; 7. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +1:31.576; 8. Gabriela Seisdedos (ESP, Kawasaki), +1:36.800; 9. Francesca Nocera (ITA, Suzuki), +1:39.675; 10. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +1:40.754.
WMX Overall top ten: 1. Livia Lancelot (FRA, KAW), 50 points; 2. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, YAM), 42 p.; 3. Meghan Kat Rutledge (AUS, KAW), 40 p.; 4. Stephanie Laier (GER, SUZ), 38 p.; 5. Natalie Kane (IRL, KTM), 31 p.; 6. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, SUZ), 31 p.; 7. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 26 p.; 8. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 24 p.; 9. Justine Charroux (FRA, YAM), 23 p.; 10. Marianne Veenstra (NED, HUS), 21 p.
WMX World Championship Classification Top Ten: 1. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, YAM), 163 points; 2. Meghan Kat Rutledge (AUS, KAW), 159 p.; 3. Natalie Kane (IRL, KTM), 151 p.; 4. Livia Lancelot (FRA, KAW), 149 p.; 5. Stephanie Laier (GER, SUZ), 142 p.; 6. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 119 p.; 7. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, SUZ), 116 p.; 8. Marianne Veenstra (NED, HUS), 96 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 92 p.; 10. Francesca Nocera (ITA, SUZ), 88 p.
WMX Manufacturer: 1. Kawasaki, 188 points; 2. Yamaha, 168 p.; 3. KTM, 151 p.; 4. Suzuki, 142 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 96 p.; 6. Honda, 33 p.
Nothing brings out the sweetness of two-stroke racing like a heavily elevated high-speed circuit, which is what set the stage for round four of the European EMX 125 Championship this weekend in Saint Jean d’Angely.
As the lads had their 125cc motorcycles completely pinned in the hunt for EMX125 round of France glory, it was Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu who reigned supreme
In race one yesterday Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes took the advantage off the start but was quickly passed by Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu. With Hsu going on to check out for his first win of the season, Pootjes had deemed war with French wonder TMX Competition’s Dan Houzet. After dicing the position a few times throughout the race, Pootjes wound up the victor forcing the fan favorite to settle for third.
The word ‘intense’ doesn’t do the EMX125 race any justice. It was so much more especially with two young French sensations Team Yamaha MJC’s David Herbreteau and JPM Racing’s Julien Lebeau starting the race in first and second with the EMX125 championship points leader Davy Pootjes in third.
While race one winner Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu was buried way back of the pack, the kids up front were throwing the hearts on the table in a battle for the lead. French star Herbreteau was literally banging bars with fellow Frenchman Lebeau before Lebeau would take over the lead on lap two. Following Lebeau through Pootjes also barged past Herbreteau but only held second briefly before casing the double under the Ipone bridge and going over the bars
With Pootjes being dropped back to eighth, yesterday’s third place finisher TMX Competition’s Dan Houzet moved up to join the battle for the lead. As the race approached midway, the then race leader Lebeau started to crack, making a series of tiny mistakes and dropping back to sixth.
Meanwhile the 2012 85cc Junior World Champion Hsu was putting in the ride of his life, on a clear mission to win this round. After picking off more than fifteen riders over the course of the race and setting the fastest lap time, the German soon found himself astonishingly inside the top three.
Coming into the closing stages of the race, Herbreteau was showing some love for his home fans as he went on to take his second race win of the season. While the other French sensation Houzet held on for second, with the most impressive performance of the race going to Hsu who came home for third. The early challenger for the lead and red plate holder Pootjes managed to recover for fourth with Mafi MX Team’s Alvin Ostlund rounding out the top five.
After the results of both race one and two, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu took a well deserved victory here at the European Championship EMX125 round of France. TMX Competition’s Dan Houzet raised the second French flag on the podium in second with the championship leader Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes rounding out the top three.
EMX125 Race 1: 1. Brian Hsu (GER, Suzuki), 29:50.046; 2. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:01.230; 3. Dan Houzet (FRA, KTM), +0:20.849; 4. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:23.852; 5. Anthony Bourdon (FRA, KTM), +1:08.451; 6. Julien Lebeau (FRA, Yamaha), +1:14.506; 7. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +1:15.901; 8. Lucas Imbert (FRA, Husqvarna), +1:25.865; 9. Max Engelen (NED, KTM), +1:26.323; 10. Adrien Malaval (FRA, Husqvarna), +1:26.523
EMX125 Race 2: 1. David Herbreteau (FRA, Yamaha), 30:30.247; 2. Dan Houzet (FRA, KTM), +0:02.475; 3. Brian Hsu (GER, Suzuki), +0:04.398; 4. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:21.264; 5. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:26.895; 6. Julien Lebeau (FRA, Yamaha), +0:43.886; 7. Ivan Petrov (BUL, KTM), +0:47.689; 8. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), +0:48.724; 9. Glen Meier (DEN, KTM), +0:54.165; 10. Lorenzo Ravera (ITA, TM), +0:57.145
EMX125 Overall: 1. Brian Hsu (GER, SUZ), 45 points; 2. Dan Houzet (FRA, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, YAM), 34 p.; 5. Julien Lebeau (FRA, YAM), 30 p.; 6. David Herbreteau (FRA, YAM), 25 p.; 7. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 22 p.; 8. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), 19 p.; 9. Thomas Marini (SMR, KTM), 19 p.; 10. Max Engelen (NED, KTM), 18 p.
EMX125 Championship Standings: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 185 points; 2. Brian Hsu (GER, SUZ), 128 p.; 3. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, YAM), 125 p.; 4. David Herbreteau (FRA, YAM), 110 p.; 5. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), 95 p.; 6. Dan Houzet (FRA, KTM), 90 p.; 7. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), 85 p.; 8. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), 73 p.; 9. Thomas Marini (SMR, KTM), 60 p.; 10. Filippo Zonta (ITA, KTM), 55 p.
Husqvarna Report
Delivering yet another strong ride in the FIM Motocross World Championship, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre ended the MXGP of France at Saint Jean d’Angély fourth overall in the MX2 classification.
With France marking a home race for Frenchman Febvre, the Husqvarna rider had high hopes of securing a podium result. Placing third in qualification, he got his weekend off to an important start. But ending lap one of race one in eighth, Febvre was forced to work hard to progress. Battling hard with close rival Dylan Ferrandis he eventually fought his way back to fifth.
In race two, Febvre held a top three position for the first six laps of the race. Slipping back behind Jordi Tixier after the midway point in the race he crossed the finish line in fourth.
The MXGP of France proved to be one of mixed fortunes for Febvre’s teammate Aleksandr Tonkov. Placing eighth in race one, Tonkov hoped to equal or better that result in race two. But a crash on lap three knocked him out of contention for a top result and he finished 15th to end his weekend 12th overall.
For Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Tyla Rattray the GP of France ended before it really began. Crashing heavily during morning warm-up resulted in a concussion for the South African and he was forced to sit out the race.
The FIM Motocross World Championship continues with round 10 at Maggiora, Italy on June 15.
Jacky Martens (Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team manager): “It’s been a positive weekend for the team. Both riders showed a lot of commitment and heart – they rode well all day. Romain again raced at the front of the pack and pushed hard for two top five results. Unfortunately he just missed out on the podium but fourth is still great. Aleksandr’s results don’t reflect his effort. His speed was good but luck was not on his side. In race two a rider crashed on a blind jump and he landed on his bike. Luckily he was ok but he had to battle from about 27th to get back to 15th. He could have easily stopped after that crash but he showed a lot of desire to fight for every point. It was good to see.”
Antti Pyrhonen (Red Bull Ice One Husqvarna Factory Racing team manager): “Unfortunately Tyla suffered a crash towards the end of morning warm up that resulted in a slight concussion. Medical tests showed everything was ok, but with him suffering a bad headache he was forced to sit out the race. It’s disappointing because despite a small crash during qualification his speed was very good. Hopefully things will be better next time out at the GP of Italy.”
Honda Report
Evgeny Bobryshev took a pair of fifth positions in the two races in France today to secure fifth overall in the Grand Prix classification. Whilst his results were consistent, his two races couldn’t have been more different.
In race one he exacted a comeback of the type the field has become accustomed to when he gets his head down, fighting back from 13th at the start to climb to fifth. He was involved in battles for position the whole race and his pace and performance were relentless.
Race two was a more controlled affair as he lay in seventh from the start before picking his way to fifth again, keeping in touch with the lead pace for much of the race. Five laps in and Bobby was the fastest man on track.
After a start to the 2014 season that has so far been beleaguered by injury and subsequent recovery, this is the first Grand Prix for a time at which the Russian has secured a strong finish in each of the two races, and therefore marks the anticipated turning point in his MXGP campaign.
The next Grand Prix will be the MXGP of Italy at the popular Maggiora track on 14-15 June.
Evgeny Bobryshev – “Finally I feel I can smile after a race weekend! We had good preparation for this race and we found a good setup. I’m really happy now and getting better with confidence on the bike. We worked a lot with the team and HRC during the week to improve the bike to my style and for sure at the same time I am feeling physically better. For Maggiora we will improve more and do more testing again. The speed is there but we now need just need a little more confidence and to improve race fitness. It’s not like training because you have the added stress of competition that affects you but I’m happy that my pain is gone and I’m getting back. I saw I was in control of my position in the second race and then towards the end I made a few mistakes and the group ahead pulled away. I just need more races, but it was impor tant today to get two strong finishes, so for this I am happy.”
Keisuke Inomoto Team HRC Team Principal – “It was a positive race today – two good results for Bobby was important. In race one he had more fighting to do through the field, but in race two he set the early pace and by lap five he was the fastest rider, so clearly the speed is there. Speed towards the end of the race is still something we will work on, but we see we are moving in the right direction. We will do lots of testing and work for Maggiora to build upon the performance this weekend.”
Roger Harvey HRC General Manager – MXGP – “It was a solid weekend for Bobby and very important to get two good results on the board from the two races. In the first race he didn’t make a good start but came through the pack again and got stuck in. He was in battles all the way through the first race so it wasn’t easy for him as he couldn’t get any time to catch his breath or settle down, but he did a good job to take his first fifth position. Then in the second race he got himself a good gap and hung onto the front guys for a while. He was stronger early on, but then he made the decision, rightly so, ‘ok, I can push and risk mistakes, or I can settle a bit and take two good finishes’, and that’s when he lost the gap a bit, otherwise he was running at the same pace as the front pack. We’ve got a bike that he’s enjoying and we’ll now go back to more testing and work before Maggiora in two weeks and build upon this. With more bike time and his fitness good, the results will start coming.”
