Reactions after Valkenswaard: MX1
GP winner (1-2): Antonio Cairoli, Red Bull Teka KTM
“I'm happy to win here for the third time in a row in MX1. Normally this circuit is nice to drive, but today I had to be a little more careful with my injured knee. I tried not to put my foot on the ground too much. Today I was also able to close the gap in the World Cup standings and I hope that it will not be long before we have the red plate in our hands again.”
Second (3-1): Max Nagl, Red Bull Teka KTM
“It was a good weekend. By winning the qualifying race I took pole. However, in the first moto I didn't have that much confidence. In the second heat I approached it differently. I only took the lead after fifteen minutes and so had time to find my own rhythm and choose good lines. That made it easier.”
Third (4-3): David Philippaerts, Monster Energy Yamaha
“It was difficult here because the lines changed every lap and you could lose or gain two or three seconds. During the first moto I rode around a bit too relaxed at the start and the others were able to escape. In the second moto I tried to go a little faster from the start, a tactic that worked out better. I'm happy to be back on the podium. We have worked hard for results like this.”
Fourth (2-5): Steven Frossard, Monster Energy Yamaha
“I'm really happy to take the red leader plate. Especially after my crash yesterday. I had a lot of pain in my collarbone and driving was not easy. The warm-up this morning was almost impossible. However, I was prepared by the doctor and my trainer. And after being massaged and taped up, I was ready to give it a try. I had a very good start in the first moto and it was easy to stay focused after that. My goal was to stay in fourth place during the second moto and still be on the podium. However, after a jump my hand slipped off my handlebars and I crashed. I was still able to finish fifth and it feels fantastic to become the World Cup leader after a GP in the sand. For me it was easier here to ride a 450 engine. I was able to play with the bike and felt really good with the bike today.”
Fifth (6-4): Rui Goncalves, Honda World Motocross
“A pretty good GP, the whole weekend was positive. In the first moto I wasn't really in the rhythm during the opening phase and I lost places. At one point I was only running 10th. However, I was able to recover and then started to drive back to the front. I was in sixth place on Desalle's wheel when crossing the finish line. In the second moto I had a good start and led the race for about twenty minutes. However, in one of the corners at the back of the circuit I left the door open and Philippaerts was able to take advantage of that. I also missed my track and went over the embankment, after which two other riders passed me. It took about three laps before I got back into my rhythm. Towards the end of the moto Frossard crashed and I was able to gain another place. I come out of this match with a good feeling.”
Sixth (5-6): Clément Desalle, Rockstar Suzuki
“Of course this is not my best day, but today I was at least able to score points and that is much better than last year. After fifteen minutes I felt that I would have to take risks to go faster. However, that's not my style and so today I took the smarter option and rode with my head. It was incredibly warm for April and that made the GP tough. This weekend the Belgian Championships in Beervelde are on the program and then I have a free weekend before we leave for America.”
Seventh (7-8): Ken De Dycker, LS Honda Racing
“What an exhausting day! I made too many mistakes and I still don't feel 100% after my crash in Bulgaria. The muscles in my back quickly became tense and that made it difficult to stand up. The final result was okay, but of course it wasn't what we came for. It was very tough today. Hopefully, rest will help in the coming days so that we can start in better shape in the coming GPs.”
Eighth (10-7): Evgeny Bobryshev, Honda World Motocross
“I had a good start in the first moto but then I made too many mistakes in the first laps. I used too much energy because I was driving around tensely. I was struggling with the circuit and then I braked my bike to death which cost me three places. After that it was difficult to get back into my rhythm. I was disappointed with 10th place. I wanted to do better in the second moto but started poorly. The riding went better than in the first heat, but it was still not my speed. Today the motos felt long. And in each round I hoped to see the board of the last two rounds. Now we have to forget this race as quickly as possible and work towards the US GP.”
Tenth (8-12): Steve Ramon, Rockstar Suzuki
“It's been a difficult day, I'm really tired. After a few laps in the second moto I started to feel weak. I think I need to get checked out by the doctor to see what's going on with my body. It is not normal that the energy is not there. I have tried to prepare well for this GP. Now I don't know what to say about it. Although I have had a few difficult weeks in which I felt ill and had to take medication. So we need to have a few things investigated further.”
Eleventh (12-11): Davide Guarneri, Rockstar Bud Racing Kawasaki
“I fell last week during a training session in Belgium and therefore suffered from painful ribs. After the first free training I had them taped by the doctor and after that it went better. Then I crashed at the start of the qualifying race. I finished 22e and that meant a bad starting position for the actual GP heats. I finished twelfth and eleventh today and that's not that bad considering the circumstances. It is of course not fantastic, but the World Cup is still long and these points could make the difference at the finish line.”
Twentieth (20-17): Shaun Simpson, LS Racing Honda
“I didn't feel so good in the qualifying race. Actually, I didn't have any good lines anywhere, but I still came tenth. My starts were quite good. Always around tenth place and then it went downhill. I don't know why either. I felt very tired and sick after both motos, which is something I have never experienced before. That's how deep I had to reach into my reserves. Fighting for my place was not even an option, so I never made a fist. Now I have to rest for the next GPs, both my speed and my physicality need to improve.”
Twenty-second (19-DNS): Ben Townley, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
“Two weeks ago I couldn't have imagined that I would be driving here. But after competing in the British Championship race in Lyng last week I was happy with my riding. Together with the team I decided to come to Valkenswaard after all. However, the circuit was much tougher than I had imagined. In the first moto I rode around carefully, but towards the end I was still tired. We remained realistic and decided not to start in the second heat. But I don't regret coming to Valkenswaard: I now know where I stand and I will draw up a schedule together with the team for the coming weeks.”
Photo Credits: KTM Images/Ray Archer, Suzuki Racing/Ray Archer, LS Honda Racing PR/CDS Images
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