Clément Desalle narrowly misses the podium
Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team's Clement Desalle rode a spirited second moto to finish fourth in the British round of the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship at Matterley Basin.
The Belgian defied a painful hand injury from the previous day to take fourth place in the first moto on the beautifully laid out circuit in the south of England, which had inevitably become tough at this time of year. A podium finish seemed a distinct possibility as the twenty-nine-year-old Belgian confidently entered the top six at the start of the second heat.
But fate had to take its toll after he collided with another rider also involving teammate, Julien Lieber. When he re-entered the race, the Belgian had already passed sixteen riders by setting faster lap times than the third-place rider. He eventually managed to finish seventh, making him fourth overall on the day. Clement is now fifth in the rankings.
Clement Desalle: “It wasn't an easy weekend because I hurt my hand yesterday in a crash and when I woke up this morning it was still sore, so I knew it would be a tough day with so many big jumps on the circuit. My first start was okay from the fourteenth gate and I scored a fourth position, not that bad considering the conditions. My second start was much better, but at the end of the first descent, in the same corner where I had fallen in the qualifying race, another rider hit my front wheel and I crashed with several other riders, including my teammate. From there I came back from last to seventh to gain important points. I will now rest my hand for a week because we have another GP next weekend. “
KRT teammate Julien Lieber came through the first corner of the first moto in thirteenth place and he did everything he could to eventually achieve a tenth place despite a fall halfway through the race. Joining his teammate in a better start in the second moto, Julien's hopes were soon gone in the third corner. After two falls, he eventually managed to gain one more point. The Belgian is now twelfth in the rankings.
Julien Lieber: “In the first moto I crashed and lost three places after making it into the top ten, but I quickly found a good rhythm to get back to tenth position at the finish, so I felt confident for the second moto . My start was much better in race two; I don't know what caused the situation, but in the third corner Clement's bike hit mine and I fell to the ground with Anstie. I hit my elbow hard, the front wheel was damaged and I had another crash on the first lap. So the match was very tough and that's why I could only get one point.”
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