MXGP

Gajser and Covington take Pole in Leon - Mexico

LEON (Mexico), 1 April 2017 - The Qualifying Races of the MXGP of Leon-Mexico graced the Mexican soil today. At the end of the qualifying races Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington found the required speed to take the pole position for Sunday.

 

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser made his way past the KTM of Glenn Coldenhoff before they completed the first lap to move into the lead. He eventually pulled a comfortable gap which he maintained to the checkered flag. Gajser later in the press conference stated, “I’ve started enjoying racing again, I felt good and I will do my best tomorrow.”

It was the second qualifying race in a row that Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff rocketed into the first turn to claim the holeshot over the rest of the field, Coldenhoff battled for the lead with Tim Gajser until a costly error took him out of the race.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin had a good start and he was third on the first lap before he moved to second on lap 4 after Coldenoff’s issue. Gautier stayed in a lonely second throughout the race, earning himself second gate pick for Sunday’s Race 1.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie put another Husqvarna in the top three for qualifying. After starting in fifth he gained ground throughout the first half of the race on Clement Desalle. Anstie passed Desalle on lap 6 of 12 putting himself into third for the rest of the session.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle started in 4th and after a battle with Max Anstie he felt pressure in the closing stages of Qualifying from Jeremy Van Horebeek. Desalle was however able to keep Van Horebeek outside of striking distance maintaining the 4th place which could give him the start he needs to reach Sunday’s podium.

Meanwhile Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek had a solid qualifying performance to follow up on his podium from the last round in Patagonia - Argentina. Van Horebeek started in 7th place but moved into fifth on lap 5 where he had pressure from Antonio Cairoli for several laps. The Belgian responded by closing on Desalle in an attempt to move into fourth but it was a little too late as he would finish 5th. 

In addition Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli worked his way past a couple of riders, including Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jeffrey Herlings. Cairoli was 9th on the first lap but 6th at the finish while Herlings qualified 8th after battling with Marchetti Racing Team KTM’s Jose Butron.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre ended up pulling out of the qualifying race due to a mechanical issue.

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 24:43.336; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:09.848; 3. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:12.509; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:19.891; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:22.259; 6. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:26.986; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:31.353; 8. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:36.451; 9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:37.847; 10. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:38.402.

          

 

The MX2 qualifying race started with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington taking the holeshot. The American lead every lap and by the end of the session he had a 12.5 second gap on the competition. This win marks the first qualifying victory for Thomas Covington on the same track that he won his first MX2 race and his first Overall back in 2015. When asked about his race in the press conference Covington said, “After the start I just found some good lines and rode smooth after that. I had my regular training last week, I spent time with family and that puts me in a good place mentally.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass was third off the start but he made a pass on lap 6. Jonass settled for second as Covington’s gap was too vast to conquer.

LRT KTM’s Julien Lieber had a great start as he was second on the first lap. He was passed only by the factory KTM of Pauls Jonass. His good start and solid riding allowed him to qualify in the 3rd spot.

HSF Logistics Motorsport Team’s Calvin Vlaanderen appeared to be feeling good in Mexico. Vlaanderen started the day fastest in free practice and after a good start, 4th on lap 1, he maintained his momentum and start position in qualifying. Coming into Sunday he will be the fourth rider to line up at the gate potentially setting himself up for another good race.

Kemea Yamaha MX Official Team’s Benoit Paturel wasn’t able to make the moves he most likely wanted after his 6th place start, but he did move forward and he comes into Sunday prepared to battle for the podium.

Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Vsevolod Brylyakov showed speed in free practice with the 3rd fastest time and he was 2nd in time practice, however errors cost him as he finished 9th in today’s qualifying race. 

While Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki teammate Darian Sanayei fell on the first lap and then pulled off the track, Sanayei has now shifted his focus to rebounding for tomorrow’s racing.

Red plate holder and Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer finished 8th in today’s qualifying but maintains his motivation for Sunday’s gate drop.

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), 25:45.756; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:12.553; 3. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:19.422; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +0:21.458; 5. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:23.701; 6. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:28.780; 7. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:31.274; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:34.516; 9. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Kawasaki), +0:42.712; 10. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:57.101.

          

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos of the MXGP of Leon - Mexico will be available here

 

MXGP OF LEON - MEXICO – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1575m

Type of ground: Intermediate to Hard

Temperature: 28°C

Weather conditions: sunny

 

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

 

TIMETABLE

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 10:20; MXGP Warm up 10:40; MX2 Race 1 12:15; MXGP Race 1 13:15; MX2 Race 2 15:10; MXGP Race 2 16:10.

 

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Leon

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Category: 
Date: 
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Author: 
Youthstream

MXGP of Leon - Mexico Qualifying Races highlights

Watch the News Highlights from the MXGP of Leon - Mexico Qualifying Races here below

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Category: 
Date: 
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Author: 
Youthstream

MXGP OF LEON - FRIDAY - MIX

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Category: 
Country: 
Mexico
Date: 
2017
Event date: 
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Event category: 

Leon Welcomes MXGP

LEON (Mexico), 31 March 2017 - The MXGP of Leon-Mexico started today with a media event and autograph session in the city center of Leon. The Event was at The Expiatory Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus also known simply as "The Expiatory”. The church’s construction began on June the 8th, 1921 and concluded on March 20, 2012 with the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. That is one of the most famous places in the area which riders and representatives enjoyed a lot.

    

The event started with a welcome performance given by “Estudiantina” in a typical music show of the Guanajuato region. Riders and the media were also offered traditional welcome drinks such as Horchata in a traditional glass. The welcome momentum was followed by words of greeting from Youthstream Director Didier Henriod, FIM/CMS Director Tony Skillington, President of RALLYMEX Juan Suberville, Director of Tourism of Leon Gloria Cano and Representative for the Secretary of Tourism Fernando Olivera, Jorge Cabrejos.

Youthstream Director Didier Henriod said: “Thank you to the City of Leon and the State of Guanajuato which host MXGP for the fourth year in a row. It is a pleasure to witness how the fan and spectators are always enjoying the event.”

While FIM/CMS Director Tony Skillington stated: “It is a great pleasure to come to Mexico, the organization has improved year after year. And it is not only a very experienced organisation, it is a great show and I hope everyone here will be able to come and watch these riders at their best this weekend.”

Afterwards Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Glenn Coldenhoff, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin, Max Nagl, Max Anstie and Thomas Covington, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team's Clement Desalle, Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki's Darian Sanayei and Vsevolod Bryliakov, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek, Wilvo Yamaha MXGP’s Shaun Simpson and Arnaud Tonus, HRC’s MX2 Michele Cervellin, Suzuki World MXGP’s Arminas Jasikonis and Kevin Strijbos and Suzuki World MX2’s Hunter Lawrence and Jeremy Seewer all partook in the autograph session with the appreciative Mexican fans. The focus now shifts to Saturday’s practice and Qualifying for the riders and teams alike.

    

All the photos of the MXGP of Leon will be available here

 

TIMETABLE

Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 10:45; MXGP Free Practice 11:15; MX2 Time Practice 13:30; MXGP Time Practice 14:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 15:25; MXGP Qualifying Race 16:10.

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 10:20; MXGP Warm up 10:40; MX2 Race 1 12:15; MXGP Race 1 13:15; MX2 Race 2 15:10; MXGP Race 2 16:10.

 

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Leon

Image: 
Category: 
Date: 
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Author: 
Youthstream

Chihiro Notsuka Injury Update

On Sunday, the 19th March during the second MX2 race at the MXGP of Patagonia - Argentina, Chihiro Notsuka crashed fracturing his back and dislocating his hip.

Following the accident, Notsuka was taken to Buenos Aires hospital where he underwent an operation on his C6 and C7 which was plated.

With his hip dislocation, there were bone fragments found floating around the injury so whilst under anaesthetic, these fragments were also removed.

Notsuka is now back in Japan and has been checked over by a Japanese specialist. It is reported that the work carried out in Argentina was of a very high standard.

The prognosis for Notuska is that he can potentially be out for 6 months or more whilst the vertebrae fully heal. His hip requires another couple of weeks to heal before he can resume light training.  He will remain in a neck brace for the next few weeks before he starts his physio back to recovery.

Roger Harvey HRC General Manager – MXGP: Good news that Chihiro has had successful surgery but obviously, we are disappointed that he will be out for some time, especially after achieving his first championship points in Argentina. This is some of the difficulties we experience in motocross. We now wait for him to recover which will give him time to reflect on what he needs to do to achieve the level he was targeting. We look forward to getting him back on the CRF250RW as soon as possible.

 

Copyright: Photo: shotbybavo 

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Category: 
Date: 
Friday, March 31, 2017
Author: 
Honda Racing

Live TV Coverage for the MXGP of Leon - Mexico

LEON (Mexico), 31 March 2017 - MXGP is about to race this weekend in Leon, Mexico for the 4th year in a row. The MXGP of Leon - Mexico will receive television coverage from its normal partners along with Fox Sports Latin America who will be on site broadcasting all 4 races LIVE. In addition TV4, the local TV station from Guanajuato, will also cover the event LIVE. As always MXGP will be broadcasted LIVE to everyone worldwide via www.MXGP-TV.com both days, Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, don’t forget you can watch MXGP’s 26mn Behind the Gate in Europe on motorsport.tv & MotorTrend two days after each round of the MXGP series. It can also be viewed in the USA/Canada on BeIn and MAV TV, in Finland on MTV 3, in Croatia on Kreator TV, in South America on FOX Sports, in Asia on FOX Sports, in China on Fox Sports and SINA, and the Middle East and Africa on BeIn.

Check the guides below to find out how you can watch MXGP of Leon - Mexico:

 

SOUTH AMERICA

 

Fox Sports Latin America

Sunday 2 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00   local time – Live

 

Mexico

Fox Sports Latin America

Sunday 2 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00   local time – Live

 

TV4

Sunday 2 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00   local time – Live

 

USA- CANADA

 

CBS Sports Network

Monday 3 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 00.30 am EST (Sunday 2 April 09.30 pm PST)

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 2  – 11.30pm EST (08:30 pm PST)

 

EUROPE

 

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 2  – 23:00   CET time – Live

 

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00   CET time – Live

 

BELGIUM

 

PLAY SPORTS

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00   CET time – Live

 

BULGARIA

 

BNT

Sunday 2 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 20:00   Bulgaria time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 23:00   Bulgaria time – Live

 

FRANCE

 

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 2  – 23:00   CET time – Live

 

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00   CET time – Live

 

L’EQUIPE 21

Tuesday 4 April – MX2 Race 2 – 20:45   CET time – Delayed

Tuesday 4 April – MXGP Race 2 – 21:45   CET time – Delayed

 

ITALY

 

RAI

Wednesday 5 April – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00 CET Time – Delayed

 

NETHERLANDS

 

NOS

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00   CET time – Live

 

SLOVENIA 

 

Sport TV1

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00   CET time – Live

 

SPAIN

 

Open Sport

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00   CET time – Live

 

UK

 

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 1 – 18:00   UTC Time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 1 – 19:00   UTC Time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 2 – 21:00   UTC Time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 2 – 22:00   UTC Time – Live

 

MIDDLE EAST – AFRICA

 

BEIN

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 1 – 19:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 1 – 20:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MX2 Race 2 – 22:00   CET time – Live

Sunday 2 April – MXGP Race 2 – 23:00   CET time – Live

 

BRAZIL

 

BANDSPORTS

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00   local time – Live

Sunday 2 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00   local time – Live

 

ASIA

 

FOX SPORTS 2 SEA

Monday 3 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 02:00   Asia time – Live

Monday 3 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 03:00   Asia time – Live

Monday 3 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 05:00   Asia time – Live

Monday 3 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 06:00   Asia time – Live

 

CHINA

 

FOX China

Monday 3 April  – MX2 Race 1 – 02:00   Asia time – Live

Monday 3 April  – MXGP Race 1 – 03:00   Asia time – Live

Monday 3 April  – MX2 Race 2 – 05:00   Asia time – Live

Monday 3 April  – MXGP Race 2 – 06:00   Asia time – Live

 

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

NOTE: Local time will change on Sunday morning and move one hour forward. Here below the Live Timing for the weekend.

 

 

Local Time

 

CET

 
 

Start

Finish

Start

Finish

Saturday

       

Studio Show

12:00

12:30

20:00

20:30

MX2 Qualifying

15:15

15:55

23:15

23:55

MXGP Qualifying

16:00

16:40

00:00

00:40

Sunday

       

MX2 Race 1

12:00

13:00

19:00

20:00

MXGP Race 1

13:00

14:00

20:00

21:00

MX2 race 2

15:00

16:00

22:00

23:00

MXGP Race 2

16:00

17:00

23:00

00:00

 

   

All the photos of the MXGP of Leon will be available here

 

TIMETABLE

Saturday: MX2 Free Practice 10:45; MXGP Free Practice 11:15; MX2 Time Practice 13:30; MXGP Time Practice 14:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 15:25; MXGP Qualifying Race 16:10.

Sunday: MX2 Warm up 10:20; MXGP Warm up 10:40; MX2 Race 1 12:15; MXGP Race 1 13:15; MX2 Race 2 15:10; MXGP Race 2 16:10.

 

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Leon

 

Image: 
Category: 
Date: 
Friday, March 31, 2017
Author: 
Youthstream

Heading to Mexico

Heading into Mexico this weekend there are still questions to be answered. Which riders can make a break from the pack, and put major points on the board every single weekend?

Until now a handful of riders have impressed, with Tim Gajser and Antonio Cairoli the stand-outs in the MXGP class, and Jeremy Seewer and Pauls Jonass doing the business in the MX2 class.

Eight-time world champion Cairoli started the year with his victory in Qatar, and while Shaun Simpson was able to pick up a GP win in Indonesia, it came under conditions only a tough Scotsman could control. Of course, Tim Gajser was perfect in the last round in Argentina, and his 1-1 rocketed him to the front of the MXGP points standings.

While there is yet to be a double winning in the MXGP class, the MX2 class has been split between just two men, Pauls Jonass, who has gone 1-1-1-1 in his two GP victories, and Jeremy Seewer, who captured the second round in Indonesia with a mud riding lesson to his competition.

Now these riders head to Mexico, where a long list of riders from both classes will be looking to unsettle the current trendsetters.

Since the Grand Prix in Patagonia - Argentina, Max Nagl has won a round of the Dutch championship with 1-2 results and the rider everyone has their eye on, Jeffrey Herlings picked up a moto victory, going 7-1 in Holland.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Nagl is now looking forward to using his Dutch victory as a motivation to improve his MXGP results. He also has a good fee about the Leon circuit, with 3-3 results last year.

“Mexico is special,” Nagl said. “Because its high altitude and the bikes, even the 450s, are slower there. It’s nice to ride the 450, because it’s a lot less power and its hot there, so it’s going to be a challenge. I like the track.”

Another rider who might surprise in Mexico is HRC Factory rider Evgeny Bobryshev, who decided to spend the two weeks between Argentina and Mexico in America, where he trained with the American Honda riders. Bobryshev has also shown great speed at the Leon circuit, finishing with 3rd and 4th overall the last two years.

“Everything depends on the start,” Bobryshev said. “It’s a small track, not so many different lines, but I have had good results, once fourth and last year third overall. I know I can ride this track good, so I think I can do ok, but everything is about the start.”

What is interesting from previous GPs in Leon is the performance of Tim Gajser, going 5-2 in the MX2 class in 2015 and 2-1 in the MXGP class last year. Another who performs well in Leon is 2015 MXGP champion Romain Febvre who has gone 1-1-1-2 the last two years there.

In the MX2 class Pauls Jonass has also impressed with a moto victory in 2015 and 4-4 in 2016, while Seewer went 3-3 in the 2016 event.

Who wins, and who makes the podium is until now a question mark, but you can count on the above-mentioned riders to show something special, on an interesting circuit so far from home.

 

Copyright: Photo: Yamaha Racing

Image: 
Category: 
Date: 
Friday, March 31, 2017
Author: 
Geoff Meyer

Youthstream and FIM Europe Support IRP at Bal de Printemps

(MONACO) Principality of Monaco, 30 March 2017 - The prestigious ‘Bal de Printemps’ event was held on 21st of March in Geneva, Switzerland where both Youthstream Group and FIM-Europe took part. Organized by IRP (International Foundation for Research in Paraplegia), the glamorous evening is an annual event to collect funds for the research of Paraplegia. Youthstream has partnered with IRP since 2016 and continue to help raise funds for their important work.

The mission of IRP is to provide funds for basic and clinical research in the field of paraplegia in order to contribute to improve the lives of people affected by injuries to the spinal cord.

IRP organizes numerous activities and projects throughout the year aimed at:

  • Raising funds for financing projects in the field of paraplegia;
  • Identifying the most promising research teams and projects, both in Switzerland and abroad; 
  • Encouraging young scientists to focus their work on research into paraplegia;
  • Promoting the exchange of information and cooperation between researchers in Switzerland and abroad;
  • Increasing public awareness of the progress of research and its applications;
  • Working with other institutions, especially universities, pursuing the same goals
  • Providing support for other activities related to paraplegia, which are otherwise neglected.

Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream, said, ‘IRP’s work is impressive and already the scientists are making encouraging steps forward.  I invite everybody to visit IRP’s web-site (www.irp.ch) to see what they do more in detail.  Youthstream is very sensitive to these important researches which IRP is doing and we will do our best to continue to support them.  We are very proud to be a partner of this active foundation and we are also proud to be partners with Wings for Life and Road 2 Recovery.’

Wolfgang Srb, President of FIM-Europe, stated: "This is a most important initiative which deserves our full attention and permanent support. A lot has already been achieved; however, there is still so much more work to be done. Research is going on and one day the dream will come true: to stand up and walk again."

Youthstream and the FIM-Europe recognize the importance and value of such research along with the success of the related foundations and gladly continue their support.

    

Photos Description

Top photo: from left to right: FIM Europe President Wolfgang Srb, General Secretary of IRP (International Foundation for Research in Paraplegia) Philippe Boissonnas, Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo and Youthstream Vice President and Head of Operations David Luongo

Bottom Photos

1. Wolfgang Srb, Marc Ristori and Giuseppe Luongo

2: David Luongo presenting the cheque on behalf of Youthstream to Philippe Boissonnas

 

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM Europe

IRP

Image: 
Category: 
Date: 
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Short title: 
YS supports IRP

Clement Desalle_Top Three

Clement Desalle has well and truly returned to the top of his game. The 20 times Grand Prix winner, who sits in third place in the MXGP points standings has been a model of consistency this year. Scoring three top three finishes in races, and claimed 3rd, 3rd and 6th in the first three GPs of the season.

In Argentina a couple of weeks ago, the Belgian strongman had to survive after feeling uncomfortable on the fast circuit. Riding with care, he still managed to score a lot of points, and remain inside the top three in the series.

“My qualifying race was not easy as there was a crash at the start just in front of me and I had no place to go! I didn’t crash but I lost too much time, then during the race I made one mistake and finished fourteenth. My start in the first race was pretty good; I was third or fourth throughout the race and eventually finished third; it was a good race. The track changed a lot between the two races and, even though I got a very good start, I struggled with the track. I was second at the first corner and took over the lead at turn two to lead the race for several laps but I didn’t feel confident and I took the decision to ride safe to finish the race.”

At the second round of the series in Indonesia, the Kawasaki factory rider fought through the rain and mud to claim a podium place, but he was anything but excited about the weekend.

“Those were not normal conditions. I made the podium, but there is not too much to say. The start was so important and then everybody was just trying to get around. One place on the track was really bad and in the last three-four laps you just hoped that you would get through it. The whole situation was on the limit.”

At the opening round in Qatar he surprised a lot of people as he swept back to his old self. Claiming a top three overall, and proving that the veteran wasn’t finished just yet.

“It is really good to start the year on the podium. I was not happy with how things were going on Friday. It was hard to pass, it was not easy riding out there and I wasn’t pleased! It was much better on Saturday. I had a good feeling on the bike and that is very important for me and I had some good starts. I changed my mentality a little bit but so much depends on how and where you are after the second corner! Eventually I could make a difference.”

Now onto Mexico, where Desalle will try and find that top step on the podium and add this to his already impressive list of GP victories.

 

Copyright: Kawasaki Racing

Image: 
Category: 
Date: 
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Author: 
Geoff Meyer

OTOR #151 is online

One hundred and fifty-first issue of this re-designed bi-weekly motorcycle sport magazine, tackling the latest races and issues in MXGP, MotoGP, AMA Motocross/Supercross and World Superbike as well as general motorcycling and accessories with the best blogs and photographs.

In OTOR 151: Hoisting the Flag: MX2 Brits Uncovered; A look at what the UK have coming through in Grand Prix and how the careers of Conrad Mewse, Adam Sterry and Ben Watson are converging in MX2. Tomac drives on for Dungey: SX. Steve Matthes throws some words and opinions from Detroit as AMA Supercross nears the home rhythm section of the 2017 campaign.

The Reign Man: MotoGP from Qatar; Under the threat of rain MotoGP over delivered once again: Maverick Viñales was the driving narrative among many tales from round one. Blogs & images inside. George’s Gallery: Visiting World Champions99.

A tour and look at a unique museum and event space in the mountains of Andorra la Vella and Jorge Lorenzo’s ambitious new project for motorsport fans. 

Read it HERE

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Category: 
Date: 
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Author: 
OTOR

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