KEMEA Yamaha Official MX team: GP17 Charlotte, USA
This weekend the Charlotte Motor Speedway was the setting for the penultimate GP of this season. In the shadow of the large Nascar circuit, a brand new GP circuit was built on the off-road circuit. However, Hurricane Hermine threw a spanner in the works for the organizers on Friday. Heavy rainfall from Thursday evening turned the circuit into a swamp. The organization therefore wisely decided to cancel the qualifying day and to continue everything on the competition day.
This turned out to be a good move, because the circuit was perfect on Saturday. The warm-up was replaced by a free training session followed by a time practice that would determine the starting position.
In the MXGP class, Valentin quickly felt at ease on the spectacular circuit. He was allowed to go to the starting gates in fourth place in the races. In the first moto, the Swiss initially rode just inside the top 10. However, he crashed briefly and lost a few places. He continued the race in 12th place but crashed again in the final phase. He injured himself and had difficulty breathing in the heat, so he decided to leave the match.
In the second moto Guillod had a good start, but he could not go all out due to the pain of the fall in the first race. He crossed the line in 12th and finished 16th. in the final standings of the GP in Charlotte. Guillod remains in ninth place in the World Cup standings.
Valentin Guillod: “ It was a difficult weekend and the result is far from what I had hoped for. However, it started well. The riding went great in the training and started with confidence for the competitions. In the first moto I crashed briefly at the beginning, but hurt a muscle or nerve in my back. I rode tensely and crashed hard at the end. In the second moto I had a better start, but I couldn't go all out due to the pain in my back. On to the last race in Glen Helen, I hope to achieve a better result there.”
In the MX2 class, Benoit and Brent qualified 13th and 15th. Both got off to a mediocre start in the first moto. On the fast circuit it was difficult to pass and ultimately the Yamaha riders crossed the line in 11th and 12th.
In the final round, both Brent and Benoit started well, going down steeply just after the gate for the occasion. Halfway through the first lap Brent hooked his front wheel into the back wheel of another rider and crashed. He started last at the finish and arrived 17th. Benoit finished 10th after the first lap and had a good rhythm. He rode a good race and finished 6th. In the final standings, Benoit finished 9th and Brent 14th. In the World Cup standings, Benoit remains third with 1 match to go. Brent is now in 15th place.
Benoit Paturel: “The first series didn't go so well but the second was better. The speed was good this weekend and I'm happy about that. I gave everything for the best possible result. I have to work on the starts to have immediate contact with the leaders at the front. I'm already looking forward to Glen Helen. We'll see how things turn out for the championship, but I'll give it my all.”
Brent Vandoninck: “I had difficulty adapting to the circuit. You clearly notice a big difference in how the Americans go about the circuit. It was only my second race under lights after Qatar, which is also completely different. It was weird driving both during the day and at night. In the second heat I had a good start, which was good. Unfortunately I crashed and couldn't get a good result. It is now up to me to learn from this and make progress.”
Next week the last race of the season will be held in Glen Helen.
Photos @cdsimages & @shotbybavo
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