Reactions after the weekend
Many riders drew a line under their GP preparations last weekend. At least when it comes to competitions, of course. Below is an overview of what the pilots had to say afterwards. watch here the images of the Italian championship in San Severinio.
Davide Guarneri, LS Motors-Honda, Italian MX1 Champion “Winning the championship a few days before my birthday is already a nice birthday present! Today I tried not to think too much about the end result, because that affects the way you drive. Consciously or unconsciously. Of the four games, San Severino was certainly not my strongest performance, but it went well. The start wasn't great, but I was able to get to the front easily every time. Winning is always a nice mental boost, of course, so I'm now looking forward to the first GP even more!
I can't ignore the fact that things might have been different if Tony (Cairoli) and David (Philippaerts) had raced the full championship. Still, I didn't get the title as a gift, because there were still fast riders. Finally, I am satisfied how the International expired because I don't have much experience on the 450 yet and I have learned a lot in the past races.”
Tanel Leok, LS Motors-Honda, vice Italian MX1 champion: ”What was Positive? I was on stage. Less positive was my driving style, which could certainly be improved. San Severino is such an old-fashioned, tough Italian track, difficult to overtake too. I thought it was quite a challenge and excellent preparation for the GP in Bulgaria. I actually think it's a shame that I have to drive back to Belgium with the camper tonight, I would have liked to drive here again to learn from my mistakes! I don't have a race next weekend, from now on I can go to Sevlievo in peace.”
Max Nagl, Red Bull-KTM, winner San Severino (2-1): “I felt good here, also because I managed to make two good starts. In the first moto I had the holeshot and in the second moto I was able to quickly take the lead after Tony (Cairoli) took the holeshot. I pushed a little harder for each match in preparation and that worked great. We also made some changes to the engine, at the moment I am very happy with the engine. With the Bulgarian GP just around the corner, I will be training in Italy for a few more days on hard circuits.”
Tony Cairoli, Red Bull-KTM, second in San Severino (1-2): “I was ill all of last week, so I certainly didn't feel at my strongest. Still, everything went very well. I had two good starts and together with Max I had the speed to tee away from the field. That's a good sign for the championship. The bike is running well and as long as I can make starts like today, I'm very happy!”
Josh Coppins, Aprilia Racing, fourth in the Italian Championship final standings: “We have made progress with testing, but today we had an unfortunate retirement in the second moto. I was very satisfied with my start in the first series, which means that we are now competitive to start. Something like that is very important with a view to the GPs. Unfortunately I had to miss important motorcycle training due to my broken rib, but my confidence is returning and I am looking forward to Bulgaria.”
Christophe Charlier, Yamaha Monster Energy Gariboldi Racing, Italian MX2 Champion: “Of course it is a great championship to win and it is a perfect start to the new season. Gautier (Paulin) was super strong in the first two races but I stayed close to him as much as possible. The Italian matches were good preparation for the World Cup season. I would like to thank the team and everyone who helped us such as the Rinaldi Group, Kayaba and all our other partners. I'm really excited for the GPs and I can hardly wait for Sevlievo!”
Harri Kullas, Yamaha Monster Energy Gariboldi Racing, winner in MX2 in San Severino: “In Malpensa I immediately finished third after my shoulder injury. That was good, although today went much better. I think San Severino is a very nice track, and I had two good starts. My Yamaha did the rest!”
The third race of the Rockstar Elite was held in France (Romagné). Two lowlanders were also at the start with Jeffrey Herlings and Jeremy Van Horebeek. With results, because Herlings finished second in the MX2.
Jeffrey Herlings, Red Bull-KTM (4 + 5 + 5): “Romagné went well for me. On Saturday I had the overall pole and on Sunday things also went well. In the first moto I had a good start and finished fourth. I was also in good shape in the second moto and finished second in MX2 after Frossard. In the last heat I didn't get off that well, but I still finished fifth. Definitely a good experience.”
Jeremy Van Horebeek, CLS-Kawasaki (7 + 6 + 3): “The first two heats I had to keep coming back after an early start! I finished 7th in the first moto and 6th in the second. The last heat was like the hurdle. This time I had a good start and I came first in the MX2. Romagné was a track that you can certainly compare to the World Cup, technical and difficult with many ruts. The Kawasaki is going great and I feel fitter than ever. That's why I'm really looking forward to the first GP in Bulgaria.”
Steven Frossard, CLS-Kawasaki (3 + 4 + 4): “The circuit was completely different than in Sommières and Pernes. Still, I had a good time here. We come here every year for the French championship, but I have never known the course to be so difficult. Riding the 450s together is always a challenge. Especially because of the mud they throw up as you get closer! Even if you are faster, it is sometimes difficult to overtake. To win the MX2 I didn't really have to take any risks.”
Xavier Boog, Kawasaki Racing Team (1 + 1 +1): “It was a great weekend, the track was tough but it was okay and I enjoyed it. I'm happy that things are getting better and better on the bike. Also thanks to the adjustments that the team made to the suspensions and exhausts. At the beginning of the season I lost some time with a finger injury but now I feel myself getting stronger week after week. This week I will be training on sand tracks in the Netherlands. Then I will train at home to prepare for the tough conditions in Bulgaria.”
Gregory Aranda, Bud Racing-Kawasaki (6 + DNF + 6): “I couldn't have trained for Romagné. I only went to the physio twice. Jacky (Vimond) taped my ankle before the race so I had no pain. But I didn't want to take any risks and didn't dare put my right foot on the ground. That was certainly a problem on such a tough and slippery circuit! Worst of all was the headache. I couldn't concentrate and I even had trouble seeing while I was driving. I managed one fast lap, after which I was four seconds slower. On Sunday morning it fell on my head. The races were really tough man! The last heat in particular was terrible, this week I will go to the hospital for tests. This doesn't make you happy because everything was going perfectly until that crash in Pernes-les-Fontaines.”
In England, the Maxxis British Championship was competed in Mallory Park. Mickael Pichon will not miss his entrance into the championship, as the Frenchman won the last series. Ken Roczen also had a hard time once again. watch here the video report from Mallory Park.
Ken Roczen, Teka Suzuki Europe (1 + 1 + 1): “I didn't have an easy time in the first heat after my roll-offs broke, so I had to clean my glasses with my fingers! To overtake I really had to concentrate. The other two series went smoothly. Now that the preparation races are over, the first balance is positive. The positive ones were yellow, but more importantly: I feel completely ready for Bulgaria.”
Evgeny Bobryshev, CAS-Honda (3 + 1 + 4): “It went great today and I'm very happy. Ten minutes into the first series I started to feel pumped up in my arms. Crockard put a lot of pressure on me, but I was still able to hold on to third place. The second series went perfectly. I took the holeshot and was able to lead from start to finish. In the third moto I had a good start, but Pichon passed me and I was bothered by the low sun. Fourth was fortunate enough to take the overall.”
Gareth Swanepoel, CAS-Honda (1 + 9 + 5): “Today was an average day for me. The first heat was good and I was comfortably in the lead. The second series was frustrating! It was difficult for me to pass, the guys in front of me all rode almost flawlessly and I had to settle for ninth place. The third series was better, but I didn't have that little bit more compared to the competition today. Now the season is still long and I know I still have work to do.”
Photos credit: Ray Archer, Pascal Haudiquert, Offroadproracing, CDS
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