Five minutes with Benoit Paturel
Benoit Paturel started his second half of the season strongly. The former MX of Nations champion took the overall (1-2) at the Charity Race X in Rogneux-Bullet (Switzerland). Paturel won ahead of home rider Arnaud Tonus and reigning French champion Maxime Desprey.
Beforehand, Paturel was really looking forward to his return to competition. The race organized by Benoit Thevenaz offered the Frenchman an opportunity to take a seat behind the starting gate for the first time since early March, when the Dutch MXGP round took place in Valkenswaard.
With some strong riders on the technical, hard course and the charity behind the event (ed. raising funds to help Killian Auberson and Brian Moreau), Benoit specifically chose Charity Race Pull. After finishing second in qualifying behind Tonus, the JM Honda Racing driver made a strong impression in the first heat.
Paturel steered his CRF450R to the holeshot and, together with Tonus, systematically drove away from the rest of the field. In the end he won with a lead of more than 15 seconds over Tonus. “The feeling was really good all day long, but the first race couldn't have gone better. After starting at the front I was able to drive my own race, I was in the lead throughout the entire series and I won with a comfortable lead. I was a bit surprised that I found my rhythm so easily on a hard track because I have only been riding in the sand in recent months!”
The second moto presented Benoit with a bigger challenge. Started in sixth position, he fought his way back to second place. However, overtaking was difficult on the compact course and Paturel arrived too late to attack leader Desprey. “Okay, two wins would have been even better, but the most important thing was to complete a competitive training together with fast riders. I'm also someone who needs a few motos and starts before it gets serious. That is why I am very happy that we have race training in Arnhem this weekend and the second preparation race in Axel next weekend. The level will always be high, both competitions are also in the sand and they are close to my base in Lommel. That makes these races the perfect mini-campaign to travel to Latvia well prepared when the world championship starts again on August 9.”.
Paturel took part in the Charity Race X four years ago and was happy to return. “Of course, this event just happened to fit the timing well for me, but I'm glad I was able to support their charities. I don't really know Killian (Auberson), but Brian (Moreau) is someone I know very well because he's a friend of mine. That made it even more special for me, but the race also had a very nice atmosphere with good organization.”
Although Kegums will be a race of a completely different caliber - and on a completely different surface - it will be interesting to see what the former GP winner is capable of with his current form. “I'm really looking forward to the restart of the MXGP season! The team has made many improvements to the bike and together with my trainer Joël Roelants I have continued to work very hard. So I know we have definitely made progress, I can't wait to see what we can do in the upcoming MXGP races”, Benoit concludes.
Photos: shotbyBavo, archive.
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