Five minutes with Shaun Simpson for Orp-Le-Grand!
Last weekend Shaun Simpson (Wilvo-Yamaha MXGP) made a successful return to the World Championship. The likeable Scot immediately got to work on the 2018 YZ450F. This Sunday Shaun will be at the start in the penultimate BC round in Orp-le-Grand where Shaun will compete against Clément Desalle, Jeremy Van Horebeek and Kevin Strijbos.
For those who didn't know, first a fun fact. Together with Van Horebeek, Strijbos Desalle, Ken De Dycker and Steve Ramon, Simpson is one of 'the Magnificent Six' of the BK. Exactly 5 years ago, Shaun became Belgian champion for LS Honda in his rookie year in the MX1. The six most recent champions of the Belgian Motocross Championship will all be at the start together in Orp-Le-Grand. Truly unique!
Shaun Simpson: “It is already the fifth or sixth time that I have ridden in Orp-le-Grand. It is actually very refreshing to go to such an 'old school' circuit. In the GPs we usually ride on artificial circuits. Then it is nice to drive somewhere where throttle control is important and where you have those typical old school sections between the trees! The surface is also very special. There is not as much grip in some places but as a rider it takes more technique to ride there. It's also cool to see how the whole village is committed to motocross. Because they just do it anyway! It is a great international competition with a strong field of participants in such a small town. In any case, I always enjoy riding there and I'm certainly looking forward to it weekends."
Physically, the four-time GP winner is already in good condition. Compared to his first comeback in Ottobiano in June, Simpson has now completed more hours on the bike before returning to the World Cup. In addition, he already rode at the Keiheuvel in Balen in preparation for the Swedish GP. That run-up already translated into good speed. “In the first moto in Uddevalla I was a few laps behind Jeffrey Herlings and he didn't just pull away.”
Of course, Shaun still needs more competition rhythm and he would like to achieve a strong result in Assen. He won the GP there in 2015 and last year he won a round on the TT circuit. An additional goal is the development of the 2018 YZ450F. “All the data we are now collecting about the engine is very important before we go back into winter. It is also not just about information, but race data, information that we have learned from real competitions. In any case, it seems that I can be very competitive with this bike. In both heats I finished just outside the top ten in Uddevalla, so you won't hear me complaining about that. I feel great on the new bike and the setup suits me.”
After a season with ups and downs - with the GP victory in Indonesia as the highlight - Simpson is first and foremost happy to be riding again. However, with two more GPs ahead of him, 'Braveheart' still wants to show himself in the World Championship. A first test will now follow on Sunday in Orp-le-Grand over two maches of 20 minutes plus one lap. Can he surprise the Belgians there? Wait and see!
Photos: Yamaha racing
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