MX1 comments after Bellpuig
Tanel Leok, LS Motors Honda, winner in Bellpuig (7-1): “I'm really happy with today's result. In the first series my start wasn't really what it should have been. The fact that I had to avoid a mass crash didn't really help. But I knew my speed was good so it was great to get it done in the second heat. When I finally took the lead I was so focused and nervous that I didn't even dare to look at my pit board. It wasn't until Lisa Leyland came up to interview me after the finish that I knew I had won the GP. I really worked hard for this and so did the team. That's why this victory feels like a reward for everyone. Over the past few weeks we have further developed the engine and I have the feeling that we are now in no way inferior to the factory machines.”
David Philippaerts, Yamaha Monster Energy MX Team, second in Bellpuig (2-5):“I rode well in the first series and my lap times were also good. But half way through I landed too hard after a jump and felt pain in my back. After that, every lap was difficult and I took it easier so as not to crash. I owe my doctor a thank you for treating my hand and back. Now we have two weeks off so I can recover a bit. Today was pretty good. I'm glad I stayed on the bike and got on the podium.”
Max Nagl, Red Bull KTM, third in Bellpuig (1-9): “I am very disappointed after the second series. Just like last week in Portugal, the first series went very easy for me. But maybe I was a little too nervous and made a mistake that resulted in a crash. All in all, I'm happy to be on the podium and get points. But I am certainly also disappointed with my performance in series two. I just have to get to work now to handle something like this better in the future.”
Tony Cairoli, Red Bull KTM, fourth in Bellpuig (6-3): “It was a tough weekend. This is not my favorite circuit. The ground is too hard and there are not many driving lines. I made a stupid mistake in heat one and lost the chance to win the GP. I lost a lot of places because of that crash and the bike was also a bit crooked, so driving was not really perfect. I was able to catch the rider in front of me, but it was not easy and in the end I only finished sixth. I wanted to score plenty of points again in series two, but I didn't have a good start. I was eighth or ninth but still managed to move up to third place. I will train harder this week to win in the United States. I definitely want to enjoy my riding there.”
Clement Desalle, Rockstar Teka Suzuki, fifth in Bellpuig (3-6): “I didn't have such a good start in the first series, but I fought my way into the top seven. From there I rode to third place, which was certainly not bad considering my recent shoulder injury. In the second heat I was in fourth place and was aiming for third place, but that turned out to be very difficult. In the second series the circuit was tough, I had to slow down and lost places. Not really good, but better than staying home. I still scored some points. Now I'm taking a few days off and only started driving back just before the weekend.”
Ken De Dycker, Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team, sixth in Bellpuig (8-4): “I really struggled in the first heat. Because I had pumped up arms we changed the bike set-up for heat two. Then things went better. My start went better, I rode a little looser and also breathed better. I felt calm and was able to get up to speed well. The circuit was really difficult because the ruts were very hard and deep in some places, which could damage your footpegs. When I was in the lead I knew it would be difficult to get away. Moreover, I didn't want to get too eager and crash.”
Xavier Boog, Kawasaki Racing Team, seventh in Bellpuig (13-2): "I had two good starts today but I messed up the first one. I started sixth but couldn't find the right rhythm and crashed twice more. I continued to make mistakes after that and only finished 13th. When I got back to the truck I was frustrated and angry with myself. I resolved to do better in the second series and that's what I did. Going into the first corner I was second but I went a bit too wide and three others passed me on the inside. After that I immediately got into a good rhythm and felt good enough to ride with the leaders. At one point I found a place where you could overtake and I was able to come back to second place. At the end I was even on the winner's wheel. I have now proven that I can stand on the podium and that will be my next goal.”
Evgeny Bobryshev, CAS Honda, 8th in Bellpuig (5-10): “My second fifth place in a series of the season was already good in itself. But what was even better was the fact that it happened on a hard track. That was unexpected. Normally I have a good speed during training on these types of circuits, but it doesn't work out during competitions. In the second heat I fell in the corner before the step-ups. I just went into the corner too fast and the machine broke away. I lost time and I was unhappy about that. Still, I don't think an 8th place is bad and my position in the championship is also good.”
Kevin Strijbos, Beursfoon Suzuki, 10th in Bellpuig (11-8): “I didn't have such a good start. At the end of the first lap I finished 19th. Then I started my rise. Halfway through I was in thirteenth place for a while. After that I was able to move up to eleventh position. In the second heat I had a better start and was fourteenth. I built up my race well and stayed in 10th place. In the final phase I squeezed out a few more fast laps and was eventually able to finish 8th.”
Steve Ramon, Rockstar Teka Suzuki, 11th in Bellpuig (15-7): “I had no luck in the first series. My start was quite good but I was behind Cairoli. When it suddenly braked, I also had to hit the brakes and a few riders fell to the ground. I tried to make up as many places as possible to get some points. The driving certainly wasn't bad, but in the last corner at the pit lane I was behind a doubled rider who crashed right in front of me. I also crashed and lost four more places. Obviously that didn't sit well with me, but things like that don't happen just once. My second start was better. But it was difficult to overtake. Everyone rode the same lines and went at the same speed. You could only pass if someone made a mistake. It was a difficult GP and I didn't get enough points. This week I'm taking it easy because I'm still stiff after my crash in Portugal. Moreover, I also hit my shoulder when I fell in the first corner.”
Photos credit: Ray Archer, CDS, S. Guttierez
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