PR: Flanders seventh, Kellett takes five World Cup points
Calvin Vlaanderen also entered the top ten in the third Grand Prix of 2024. The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory rider finished seventh in the dunes of Riola Sardo. Todd Kellett, who filled in once for the injured Jago Geerts, took five World Cup points in Sardinia.
#10 CALVIN FLANDERS
Qualifying race: Flanders – winner of the Grand Prix in Riola Sardo in 2022 – immediately moves up with the top drivers and settles just behind Herlings in fifth place. Calvin bombards the Dutchman with attacks, but is hampered by one of his attempts, causing Jonass to deprive him of fifth place. Calvin still puts a lot of pressure on Jonass and Seewer, but remains stuck in P6.
First series: A fairly good start for Flanders, who moves up to fifth place after a few corners. In the first round Calvin also passes Coldenhoff on the waves. Although he has to leave fourth place to a sitting Herlings two laps later. A fall in lap 7 completely breaks Flanders' rhythm. Calvin sees Coldenhoff and in the final phase Febvre pass by and finishes seventh.
Second series: Calvin shoots quite well out of the starting gate (eighth) and is already in sixth place after two laps. Flanders has a good flow and is increasing the pressure on Seewer. At the same time he feels Febvre's hot breath on his neck. Calvin gets the better of Seewer – first on the outside, then on the inside – but can only enjoy fifth place for one lap. Just like in the first series, Febvre passes him at the end.
Calvin Vlaanderen: “It was a tough weekend on a physical level. Demanding course, almost 30 degrees: I'm not used to that anymore. But that applies to everyone. I'm a bit disappointed about seventh place. I always come to Riola with high expectations because I have already won here. In the first series a fall killed me. I had completely lost the good flow. In the second series I had planned to set consistent lap times and I succeeded. Not my best weekend, but not my worst either.”
#98 I NEEDED TODD
Qualifying race: The winner of Le Touquet and Enduro del Verano starts completely on the outside, is even forced off the course and has to start a catch-up race as 29th and last. And the Brit - who once replaced the injured Jago Geerts - does that more than well. Kellett moves up ten places and crosses the line in 19th place.
First series: Not a good place at the starting gate for Kellett, who only enters the first corner in 22nd position. The Brit keeps a good pace in the initial phase and then jumps over some competitors. After four laps he is in 18th place. Halfway through the series something goes wrong: Todd crashes and drops back to 23rd place. In the final phase he can still move up to P21.
Second heat: A slightly better start for Kellett this time (16th), who is now getting the hang of it - the longer the race goes, the better it gets. The Briton moves up to twelfth place, although he still has to pass his compatriot Watson. Todd seems to be on his way to a nice 13th place… until he crashes three laps before the end and has to lose three more places. Nevertheless: good for five World Cup points. Nice.
Todd Kellett: “It was bloody tough, but at the same time I really enjoyed this Grand Prix. A big thank you to Yamaha, to the team for this opportunity. The intensity is a lot higher than in the beach races. It's not normal how hard these guys go around here. I felt like a squash player trying to play tennis. It was a bit frustrating that I fell to the ground in both series. But all in all: a great experience.”
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Gallery: Yamaha
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