Promising season debut for Benoit Paturel
JM Honda Racing's Benoit Paturel ended his 2020 MXGP opening weekend on a positive note. The popular Frenchman rode his CRF450R to tenth place in the second round of the British GP. Although Paturel also showed good speed in the first heat, he did not score any points due to sore arms.
Despite the poor conditions on Friday and Saturday, with lots of rain and wind, the famous circuit was in perfect condition on Sunday. The spectacular, fast and flowing track was protected as much as possible for the GP races the next day by a shortened program on Saturday. Due to the absence of Julien Lieber (wrist injury) and Artem Guryev (concussion), Benoit Paturel was the only JM Honda Racing to do the honors.
However, Paturel started his weekend convincingly. On the 1.950 meter long track, the former GP winner qualified 8th, less than a second behind the top 15. With Saturday's traditional qualifying race cancelled, both motos billed themselves as the first major clash between the best motocross riders in the world. Without a doubt a field of participants to die for!
Benoit started strongly in the first series and was initially in 10th position. Although the #6 JM Honda Racing rider maintained a tight pace, he unfortunately had to give up ground due to sore arms. Paturel was forced to slow down and did not get further than a disappointing 24th place.
In the second series, Paturel was able to complete all the good things he showed earlier. He shot out of the suit like an arrow from a bow. From his disadvantageous position on the outside of the bend, a holeshot was not possible, but “Big Ben” was immediately in the top ten again. The JM Honda Racing pilot gave his best for 30 minutes plus two laps. Three laps before the end, Benoit finally caught up with MX2 world champion Jorge Prado, which gave him 10th place. This also made him the best non-factory driver.
The second round of the MXGP World Championship will take place close to home next weekend in Valkenswaard, Netherlands.
Benoit Paturel: “All in all it was a very positive weekend for me. I had a pretty good start in the top 10 in the first race, but after about fifteen minutes I started to get sore arms and dropped way back. That was really hard to deal with because the speed was there! In the second moto I had an excellent start, but starting from the outside was no longer possible. At least in that second race I was able to ride like I know I can. That was a huge relief after those two terrible years I went through! The support and people I have around me since joining JM Honda Racing has been absolutely fantastic. It is super motivating to be able to work like this, so I hope that we can continue together, towards even more and better!”
Jacky Martens, team manager: “Our hard work over the past four months - to start over with a new bike in a new class with a new staff and new riders - came together here in Matterley Basin. Regardless of the outcome, this would be a milestone for the team! Honestly, this weekend gave us exactly the kind of foundation we needed. The level in the MXGP World Championship has never been higher while we are now in a new position where we compete as a private team against the factory teams. Benoit had bad luck with arm pump in the first moto, but in that second moto he showed what he can do. He has proven that he can also perform in MXGP. To get back to this level, Paturel has done everything he can in recent months, while we as a team have in turn done everything possible to develop the engine. The picture certainly looks good. Let's hope that Artem (Guryev) can return to Valkenswaard and that Julien (Lieber) recovers quickly from his wrist injury.”
Photos: CDS, Honda Europe/ShotbyBavo
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