Dylan Walsh takes points again
For the second consecutive MXGP in Faenza, the JM Honda Racing riders had to work again on the compact and concrete-hard Crossodromo Monte Coralli south-east of Bologna. Although MXGP rookie Dylan Walsh again showed examples of his class, this time he had to settle for four additional World Championship points.
Anyone who has ever seen the comedy film “Groundhog Day” can imagine days that are similar. On another sunny and hot day, Walsh raced to the exact same qualifying spot -22th– like last Sunday.
Unfortunately, Dylan had to deal with a terrible first start this time. However, the spectacular New Zealander unleashed his devils from the rear! Walsh took his CRF450R to 18 in no timede place. A progress of no less than 10 positions in one lap. The #53 JM Honda Racing climbed to 16thde place, but he had to give up ground in the second half of the race and finished 18thde.
As bad as Dylan's first start was, he was so good in race two. Walsh was in a good 6th position in the first corner. An OpArtem Guryev withdrawal behind a fallen rider in the opening lap goodie, however, put a spanner in the works. Knocked back to 28th position, the reigning MX2 champion fought for one precious World Championship point. Afterwards, he could only wonder what his race would have been like without bad luck on that crucial first lap.
Artem Guryev turned 29 during the Citta di Faenza GPth. The Russian rider twice started his heat poorly, although today he made progress again in terms of regularity and speed. Guryev was briefly in contention in the second moto with a group of riders who all had a view of the top 20. Due to his conditional deficit, Artem had to slow down the pace after halfway.
This Sunday the JM Honda Racing riders will start again - for the last time - in Faenza.
Dylan Walsh: “Not exactly the day I had in mind. I had a really bad start in the first moto. Although I was able to make up places quickly, I just wasn't riding at my best. In the second moto I had a very good start. Unfortunately, a rider crashed just in front of me on the first lap and I had nowhere to go. Okay, from the very back I did get back into the top 20, but in terms of rhythm it didn't go the way I wanted.”
Artem Guryev: “At the start of race 1 I had a problem with my starting system. So I was anything but well off. When I was in battle for the 23th I made a mistake and fell. That's why I ended up being 28th. In the second heat I had another bad start. I gave it my all and was in a group from P20 to P25 until fatigue struck and I was 27th came in. My endurance is starting to improve, but we know this takes time. However, we will continue to fight and this Sunday we will aim for that top 20 ranking again.”
Photos: CDS
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