KTM Diga Junior Racing looks back at Agueda
For a development team like KTM Diga Junior Racing, there is one constant contradiction that keeps recurring. Of course results are important, but to get there, you also have to learn to overcome difficulties and setbacks. Because that is precisely the breeding ground for later success. In any case, Agueda was an educational experience for EMX Rookies Emil Weckman and Roni Kytönen.
The compact EMX250 calendar certainly plays into the hands of riders who are in shape. That way they get the chance to ride on the momentum. For riders who are returning from injury or are struggling with their form, the races in close succession are more of a disadvantage. One week after the demanding competition in Ottobiano Miro Sihvonen therefore went to Portugal with one goal: taking one next step towards his best level.
Sihvonen suffers the most from his shoulder injury, especially during time training. Miro explains: “I can't really continue the way I want when I can set a fast lap. Unfortunately, those few seconds difference between a good time and a mediocre or bad time will continue to affect you for the rest of the weekend.” From 23rd place at the starting gate, Miro rode to 12th place in the first heat. The second race looked promising for the talented Finn until an exceptional shock absorber defect saw him thrown from the bike. Fortunately, Sihvonen escaped unscathed, but he had to abandon the match.
In his second race on the KTM, EMX125 posted rookie Emil Weckman clear progress. The reigning EMX150 champion may not have scored any points, but compared to the race in Ottobiano, Weckman rode faster and with more confidence. It will therefore be interesting to see how Emik can develop in the three remaining European Championship matches in Lommel (Belgium), Frauenfeld (Switzerland) and Uddevalla (Sweden).
The seventh lap of the EMX250 dished Roni Kytonen quite a challenge. Like many of his colleagues, Roni had difficulty finding grip and the right lines on the hard, stone-strewn surface. Kytönen again qualified directly, his best result of the weekend was 24th place in the second heat. While the team was on its way south, positive news also came from the 'infirmary'. After his double knee injury in February Thomas Kohut recently resumed motorcycle training. Kohut is expected to return to competition for the first time next weekend at the ADAC MX Masters in Tensfeld.
Miro Sihvonen: “I did notice progress this weekend, but unfortunately not enough to bring me back to the level where I belong. You have to be completely fit, especially on a difficult track like Agueda. My result in the first moto was okay, but I was not satisfied with the way I rode. The second race was much better, but unfortunately we had to deal with a technical problem. Fortunately, I was not injured in that spectacular fall! Now we have more than a month until the next EMX250 race in Switzerland. That in itself is positive, but on the other hand, a decision has to be made regarding my shoulder. We know that unfortunately there is nothing that can be done about the nerve damage in my damage, which will repair itself over time. But anyway I will also have to have surgery to repair the ligament. After that I need three months of rehabilitation. We will take into account all factors, such as the remaining matches and my preparation for 2018, to make a decision.”
Roni Kytonen: “I enjoyed the circuit in Agueda, even though it is a difficult circuit! My riding in the timed training was fluid, but I lacked some aggression, which meant I only qualified 35th. In the first heat I ended up off the track at the start. After that there was no more to do than limit the damage. From penultimate place I came back to 30th place. In the second moto my start wasn't great, but I was still able to climb to 24th place.”
Emil Weckman: “It is positive that my speed is improving. With a better start and especially without falls, we can certainly achieve a good result. In the first race I revved too high at the start, causing me to do a wheelie. To make matters worse, there was a massive crash afterwards with 12 other riders! However, the driving itself went great. I was able to come back from 37 to 22. My reaction at the gate in the second moto was very good, but I made a mistake afterwards. Still, I rode a strong first lap. I climbed to 12th place, but in the duel for 11th position I made a mistake in a corner. As a result, I not only lost a lot of places, it also took a while before I got back into my rhythm. In the end I finished 21st, just 5 seconds behind 18th place.”
Photos: Eric Laurijssen
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