— FIM MX1/MX2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP / ROUND 05 SUNDAY MAY 20 BETO CARRERO, BRAZIL
— Weather: Showers, mud / Temperature: 17 degrees C / Attendance: 42,000
— Searle and Pourcel Win Again / Double victory for Kawasaki in Brazil
This morning Beto Carrero woke up with heavy rain, but it did not stop the thousands of motocross fans to come to the track to cheer the best motocross riders in the world. Christophe Pourcel and Tommy Searle succeeded in putting two Kawasaki’s on the top of the podium, while Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings finished eighth and seventh respectively.
The mud was one of the protagonists today at Beto Carrero’s track due to the heavy rain, so the start was crucial for all the riders to fight for the top positions. The riders who managed to be the first ones to reach the first corner just needed to make their best not to make mistakes and ride safe until the end, and this is what actually Christophe Pourcel and Tommy Searle did; while Pourcel went 1-4, Searle dominated both MX2 heats. David Philippaerts and Kevin Strijbos completed the MX1 podium and Christophe Charlier and José Butrón obtained their maiden podium in the MX2 class.
MX1
CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Pourcel admitted that they had to change the clutch of his Kawasaki yesterday after the qualifying race and today he felt again really comfortable on his bike. The French rider did an incredible first race, imposing a really good rhythm and finally crossing the finish line with one minute and a half difference with second classified Philippaerts. In the second heat Pourcel took the holeshot and led the first laps, but his compatriot Boog overtook him right in the middle of the race. The CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider admitted that he made a couple of mistakes by the end of the heat and this is why he had to settle down for the fourth position. In any case, Pourcel managed to obtain the second victory of the season this weekend in Beto Carrero.
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Philippaerts was back on the podium this weekend thanks to his 2-6 result. The Italian admitted that he found the track really hard, but after having a good first moto, his goal in the second one was to ride safe and try to be on the rostrum, and this is what he finally accomplished.
The third step of the podium was for one of the most experienced MX1 riders in the paddock, Kevin Strijbos. The last time the Belgian rider was on the podium was back in 2007, so he was really satisfied with his performance this weekend. In the first race Strijbos crashed in the first corner, but he managed to finish fifth, and in the second moto the HM Plant KTM UK rider rode consistently in the fourth position and when there were two laps to go, Pourcel made a mistake and Stirjbos moved up to the third position.
Kawasaki Racing Team’s Paulin was fourth overall and he missed the podium in Beto Carrero being tight in points with Strijbos. The French rider did not have a good start in the first moto but he was able to move up some positions and crossed the finish line third. However, in the second moto he made a mistake and it took him a lot of time to put the bike up again and had to settle down with the fifth position.
Honda World Motocross’ Gonçalves completed the top five of the Honda Grand Prix of Brazil even struggling with a thumb and groin injury. It was a tough race for the Portuguese rider, but so far it has been the best result of this 2012 season. Gonçalves made an excellent start in the first heat and he rode second during the first two laps, but he then made a mistake and he was dropped down to fourth. Gonçalves was fourth in the first moto and in the second one he was only able to finish eighth.
Boog had a very tough first heat because after not having had a good start, his Kawasaki engine broke in the last laps of the race. In the second moto he did a better start and he managed to take the lead in lap six and he kept such position until the chequered flag. Boog was finally sixth overall, and he was especially happy because he succeeded in obtaining his first moto victory of his career in the FIM MX1 World Championship.
Desalle was once again unfortunate this weekend, because after riding really well in the second moto and finishing second, in the first one he crashed in the end of the heat while he was sixth and he could not start the bike again. Desalle finished seventh overall, tight in points with Boog.
Cairoli had a day to forget in Beto Carrero, in fact, the Italian admitted that it has been one of his worst Grand Prix of his career. In the first moto he started in the front, but he then made a mistake, struggled to go back to the top and crossed the finish line eighth. In the second heat, he did not have such a good start, he crashed again and he was only ninth, which gave him the overall eighth position.
Bobryshev finished ninth overall and he was a bit disappointed with his performance today. However, taking into account that he is still recovering from his thumb injury and his bronchitis, finishing in the top ten is a really good result for the Russian rider.
Simpson completed the top ten with his 7-12 result, and De Dycker finished right after the Brit. De Dycker was sixth in the first moto even making several mistakes, but in the second one he was only able to cross the finish line in the 13th position.
The best MX1 Brazilian rider was Balbi in the overall 19th position and his compatriot Garcia was twenty-first.
MX1 Race 1 top ten: 1. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 44:47.275; 2. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:29.145; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:43.349; 4. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +1:47.125; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +1:49.116; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +2:26.285; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +2:43.169; 8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +2:59.506; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), -1 lap(s); 10. Matiss Karro (LAT, KTM), -1 lap(s);
MX1 Race 2 top ten: 1. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 42:09.534; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:02.155; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:07.681; 4. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:32.074; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:43.134; 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:53.271; 7. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +1:02.910; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +1:03.333; 9. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +1:05.447; 10. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +1:26.338;
MX1 Overall top ten: 1. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 43 points; 2. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 37 p.; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 36 p.; 5. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 31 p.; 6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 30 p.; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 30 p.; 8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 23 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 23 p.;
MX1 Championship top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 203 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 179 p.; 3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 172 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 170 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 154 p.; 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 142 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 139 p.; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 129 p.; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 110 p.; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 107 p.;
MX1 Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki, 215 points; 2. KTM, 214 p.; 3. Suzuki, 189 p.; 4. Yamaha, 167 p.; 5. Honda, 147 p.; 6. TM, 12 p.;
MX2
Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Searle obtained his second Grand Prix victory of the season, he regained the second position of the championship and he is now 20 points behind Herlings. Searle had really good starts in both motos and he managed to take the lead and open a considerate gap with his pursuers. In the first race the British rider had to enter the pit lane because he crashed and lost his gloves, and when he was back in the track he was riding second, but he could easily catch Charlier and dominated the heat until the chequered flag.
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Charlier obtained his maiden MX2 podium this weekend in Beto Carrero and it was confirmed that his injury on his foot is completely healed. In the first turn of the first moto Charlier had to take out his goggles and block of mud hit his left eye, but the French young rider succeeded in finishing second. In the second heat, he had another good start, but he then made a mistake and went from second to seventh. In the end Charlier crossed the finish line fifth and obtained the second overall position.
It was also a very special day for KTM Diga Racing’s Butrón, as he completed the top three of the Honda Grand Prix of Brazil. Butrón was visibly moved to be on the podium and he actually admitted that it was like a dream come true; in fact, it was the first time that a Spanish rider was on an MX2 podium. In the first moto, the KTM Diga Racing rider finished eighth, but in the second one he took the holeshot and managed to lead the first two laps. Searle overtook the Spanish rider, but Butrón managed to keep the second position until the end.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Van Horebeek was fourth overall this weekend being tight in 35 points with Butrón. The Belgian rider is still a bit sick, but he managed to finish third in the first tough moto. In the second one, he did not have such a great start and when he recuperated some positions, he made a mistake and he was down to the tenth place. Van Horebeek did all his best and he was able to cross the finish line sixth.
Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Roelants completed the top five after finishing fifth and fourth in today’s races. The Belgian rider had a tough first race, moving from fifteenth up to fifth, but in the second one he rode a solid moto keeping the initial fourth position until the end.
Anstie had a really good start in the first race and crossed the finish line fourth, but in the second one he was only able to be seventh and he obtained an overall sixth position.
Herlings was just seventh this weekend after finishing 12th in the first heat and third in the second one. The leader of the MX2 series did not have really good starts in none of the motos and a crash in the first heat made him lose already many points.
Nicholls finished eighth, followed by Lupino and Kullas completed the top ten.
The best MX2 Brazilian rider was Müller in the 18th position, Amstrong was 20th and Vilardi 21st.
MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 44:31.410; ; 2. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:23.896; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:46.131; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +2:16.278; 5. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +2:22.232; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +2:29.302; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +2:34.943; 8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +2:47.345; 9. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +2:53.896; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), +3:24.769;
MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 43:42.838; 2. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:11.095; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:36.276; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:39.879; 5. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:15.554; 6. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +1:21.010; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +1:23.875; 8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), +1:28.353; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), +1:39.850; 10. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:53.530;
MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 50 points; 2. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 38 p.; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 35 p.; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 35 p.; 5. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 34 p.; 6. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 32 p.; 7. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 29 p.; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 23 p.; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), 23 p.;
MX2 Championship top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 223 points; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 203 p.; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 189 p.; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 152 p.; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 137 p.; 6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 128 p.; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 120 p.; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 107 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 103 p.; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), 99 p.;
MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 236 points; 2. Kawasaki, 226 p.; 3. Yamaha, 151 p.; 4. Honda, 141 p.; 5. Suzuki, 116 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 103 p.; 7. TM, 5 p.;
– HRC Report
A wet Grand Prix of Brazil at the highly impressive Beto Carrero facility saw 42,000 spectators over the weekend enjoy a competitive and atmospheric fifth round of the 2012 FIM Motocross World Championship in the sixteen race campaign. Christophe Pourcel claimed victory in the MX1 class, but Honda World Motocross Team’s Rui Goncalves guided his factory CRF450R through the thick mud to fifth position overall.
The distinctive red Brazilian dirt had been well watered through changeable conditions, but the relentless showers through Saturday night and most of raceday meant the two thirty-five minute and two lap motos became a test of attrition and luck. Even more emphasis was placed on a decent start to avoid any mid-pack melee and the waves of dirt and water thrown up by thirty racers in the gate.
Goncalves suffered a crash after making an excellent start in front of the packed grandstands for the first moto, but afterwards was able to exercise his careful and precise technique and set about regaining a slew of positions to cross the finish line in a well-earned fourth position. The second race took place on drier terrain, but the mud was still heavy and slippery and the ruts deeper and more technical. The Portuguese had to deal with cramps in his right leg – a consequence of the tendon damage he is slowly recovering from – but was able to see out the distance and pass the chequered flag in eighth spot.
Evgeny Bobryshev was able to wheel the ‘777’ machine into the start gate only seven days after missing the Mexican round with Bronchitis. The recently married twenty-four year old Russian was not fully fit and this showed with his fatigue in the final stages of both motos. ‘Bobby’ was still able to get himself back on the leaderboard with results of ninth and tenth for ninth overall in the final MX1 classification for the day.
LS Honda’s Jonathan Barragan spent a portion of both motos rescuing his CRF450R from the muddy surface. The Spaniard hit the ground numerous times in the slimy first outing, but persisted to the finish line with twelfth spot. A more cautious approach in the second sprint allowed the former Grand Prix winner to improve his standing by one position and he left Beto Carrero with twelfth in the MX1 listing.
In the MX2 class Max Anstie was again flying the red flag for Gariboldi Esta Honda and the CRF250R. The young Briton looked to have pulled a masterstroke in the first moto by opting for a sand scoop Pirelli profile that gave the teenager the holeshot. A steady run to fourth position in the wetter of the two motos validated his choice of rubber, but the tyre didn’t quite produce the same effect in terms of traction for the drier second outing and Anstie rode to seventh for sixth overall.
With Bobryshev missing out on proceedings in Mexico the Russian has now replenished his points tally and occupies eleventh position in the MX1 standings, two places and just eighteen points behind Goncalves. Barragan is thirteenth while Anstie keeps fifth place in MX2.
Round six of the 2012 FIM Motocross World Championship will take place at St Jean D’Angely in two weeks time for the Grand Prix of France.
Rui Goncalves: Race Result: 4th / 8th Championship position: 9th “It was a special race with the weather not helping the track conditions. It was really wet and heavy out there with deep ruts and stuff. The first moto I had a good start and was second, but then I made a mistake in front of the pits and lost the front and went down. It was really difficult to get the bike up and get going again. It took me some laps to get the rhythm and then I managed to make some positions. I was happy to finish fourth. They fixed some parts of the track for the second moto, but it was drying out with big ruts in many places. I didn’t make a start like the first race and started to get some cramp in my right leg where I have the injury. I couldn’t put my leg out in the corners and Tony [Cairoli] was pushing very hard behind me. I had to deal with it and when I made my self relax and ride smoother I started going faster and moved up. Fourth and eighth is OK and I want to thank the team for all their effort and the belief they have in me, and also Honda Brazil for all their support this weekend. I will aim for better results but this is a good starting point.”
Evgeny Bobryshev: Race Result: 9th / 10th Championship position: 11th “It was a difficult comeback, but it is what I expected after missing many weeks of training. I’ve been sick recently and wasn’t 100%. I had good starts and I cannot complain about that. I was in the top five and not doing too badly, but in the last ten minutes of both races I was losing my concentration and focus. Maybe it is to do with the antibiotics. I was losing positions and missing the lines, hitting the really muddy parts. I’m really disappointed to go backwards like that. Anyway I have to look to forward and I have two weeks now where I hope I can train and no more bad luck will come my way.”
Jonathan Barragan: Race Result: 12th / 11th Championship position: 13th “I crashed a lot today. I think seven or eight times in the first moto. It seemed like everyone was falling over because it was really difficult. In the second race I started second or third, but then Cairoli crashed in front of me. I tried to go over him, but I ended up on the ground again. I restarted last and made it up to eleventh. It was a hard track and a hard day. It was a shame because the circuit here is spectacular and I think the best of the year; just the rain came and the races turned out like they did. Apart from that I have to give Beto Carrero a ‘10’.”
Max Anstie: MX2 Race Result: 4th / 7th Championship position: 5th “The circuit here is amazing, it was just a shame that it rained. It would have been a different GP, almost like a little supercross track! The ball game was changed completely last night when the sky started emptying. The first moto was just about who could ride in the ruts and stay straight and keep going. It was about who could stay on. I brought home a fourth in the first race. I couldn’t see anyone! In the second race I think I made a slight mistake with my tyres because I used a sand profile in the first moto and the scoop worked really well in the slop, but on the drier and stickier mud of the second race I was sliding around a bit more. I was in fifth at one stage, but almost landed on a lapped rider and ran off the track. I was sixth until the last lap when my helmet felt like it weighed twenty kilos and Van Horebeek passed me right at the end. I was trying to bring the bike home and not make mistakes. The important thing was to score and it was easy today to crash and lose a lot of points. I’ve been working a lot more with the factory guys and Paolo Martin and now hopefully when we get back to Europe we can try some new stuff and maybe get a few more ‘horses’ rammed in the bike for France.”
— KTM Report
Red Bull KTM MX1 & MX2 riders did it tough in the GP of Brazil in Beto Carrera but managed to salvage championship points in tough races after heavy rain turned the well prepared track into a quagmire.
While they left the venue without their usual cache of trophies, they were still able to hang on to the two red plates for Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings in MX1 and MX2. KTM however was still represented on the podiums with Jose Butron of Spain finishing overall third in MX2 and Kevin Strijbos of Belgium third in MX1.
MX2 riders had it particularly hard as the track, with all the hallmarks of a thrilling profile, suffered under unexpected torrential overnight rain. And while the rain eased for the second half of the race program, riders still struggled with ruts as deep as their foot pegs and slippery sections that required absolute concentration and in many cases forced them to abandon their goggles.
Cairoli wrapped up his race day with an 8-9 result for overall eighth after his problems in the difficult conditions amplified when he got tangled in a first corner scrap with a number of riders in the second moto. Instead of assuming his natural habitat at the front of the pack, the five-times world champion was buried down at about twelfth place on a day when only a good starting position was likely to pay dividends. Factory teammate Ken De Dycker of Belgium finished overall eleventh. The MX1 GP went to Christophe Pourcel with David Philippaerts in second and Strijbos third.
Best finisher for the MX2 factory team was Jeremy van Horebeek of Belgium who was fourth overall after a 3-6 result while Herlings was overall seventh. Jordi Tixier, the factory team’s third rider finished in eleventh overall.
Herlings finished down the order in twelfth in the first MX2 moto on the sodden track the commentators were calling “1500 meters of pure hell”. He had a somewhat better outcome in the second moto even if his collective points were not enough to put him on the box. Tommy Searle, his biggest championship rival took the prize and picked up maximum points to trim the gap to the Herlings down to 20 points. Christophe Charlier was second in the GP and Butron of Spain took the minor podium place.
Conditions were so difficult that riders did not contest the warm-up and sighting lap on Sunday and lap times in the first moto of MX2 were around one minute slower than those in Saturday’s qualifying.
The Brazil round concludes the GP tour of South America for 2012 and teams now return to Europe where the competition resumes in two week’s time in Saint Jean d’Angeley in France.
Tony Cairoli: “I am very disappointed with my riding. I made some mistakes and the conditions were difficult but I should be more careful. We still have some good lead in the points and that’s the most important. Everything was working well yesterday and the bike was perfect so now I look forward to the next race and we will try to be on top again.”
Jeffrey Herlings: “This weekend went from good to bad. it started good when I won the qualifying but then today it was very bad. The start, the mud, the conditions and most of all, my riding. Now I just have to put it behind me and hope to do better in France.”
Jeremy van Horebeek: “The track was very difficult but I am happy to be leaving here with fourth overall after my third place last week in Mexico. I crashed at the start of the second moto today and that cost me a place on the podium.”
— Suzuki Report
The Grand Prix of Brazil saw Harri Kullas take his Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe RM-Z250 to 10h position across a wet and muddy Beto Carrero circuit.
Heavy rain on Saturday evening and throughout Sunday morning turned the track into a tacky and boggy prospect that immediately became rough and rutty. Poor visibility was just one of the small difficulties for riders unable to make a start in the top five and the weight of soil stuck to the bikes was also a factor. It was demanding as much for the racers as it was for the machinery.
Some 42,000 spectators (weekend figure) travelled to the superb theme park resort and although the races became a lottery, the set-up and lively atmosphere of the grand prix raised the bar for the FIM Motocross World Championship to-date.
Kullas and team mate Petar Petrov both waged their own battles with the terrain in the first moto when the conditions were wetter and less predictable. Petrov had to pit for a change of gloves and goggles and Kullas did his best to find a slot inside the top 10 despite a cautious approach. The Finn finally obtained 10th while the Bulgarian was 14th with an RM-Z250 running extremely hot due to the extreme nature of the track.
The second outing took place under brighter skies and across a ruttier and drier surface. Kullas again maintained a pace that kept him in the top half of the leaderboard – taking ninth – while Petrov was once more 14th after swallowing fencing in his rear wheel. The teenager was also f14th overall.
In the MX2 World Championship table, Kullas holds 10th position and is just nine points behind Dylan Ferrandis in eighth. Petrov has been gaining points steadily and rests 13th.
Grands Prix in France, Portugal and Belgium now follow for Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe with the first outing at St Jean D’Angely – host of the 2011 Motocross of Nations – on June 3rd.
Harri Kullas: “We had some rain today! There was so much mud on top of yesterday’s lines. It was OK at the beginning of the first moto but later I started to ride too carefully and was too slow. I lost positions and finished 10th. I had a little bit of a better start in the second moto and passed a few guys and tried different lines but it was not easy at all and with a few mistakes I lost a lot of time. I was disappointed I couldn’t pass Anstie or Lupino because it was all mainly one line. I’m not really happy with the weekend. We just have to look to France now.”
Petar Petrov: “I don’t know what to say…the track was so gnarly and difficult. I started the first race with fifth position but then I crashed on the third lap. It was not easy and I had to stop in the Pit Lane for more goggles and gloves. I made it up to 13th but had a few technical problems and took 14th. In the second race I caught the green fence in my rear wheel on the first lap and that meant I had virtually the whole of the moto without a rear brake. It was not the best weekend but I was happy on Saturday with two eighth positions in practice and a seventh place in the Heat race. It is getting better and better for me each Grand Prix and I hope I can continue to improve and take higher results.”
Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1’s Clement Desalle almost won the second moto of today’s Brazilian Motocross GP at Beto Carrero after a thrilling chase to the line with Xavier Boog and ended the day with seventh overall after some bad luck in the opening race.
The superb venue, 100km north of Florianopolis, was hit by torrential rainfall Saturday night and Sunday morning and changeable weather did not deter a sell-out crowd of 42,000 spectators. The narrow layout saw the red mud become clumpy and swampy and placed even further emphasis on the importance of a decent start. Desalle hit the floor twice in the opening corners, which gave the Belgian an immediate handicap. But, to his credit, he set some impressive speed to reach fourth position but on the penultimate lap an overheating problem in difficult conditions for rider and machine caused him to stop and terminate the moto with 13th.
In the second race, Desalle was determined to recoup some points and mounted a charge from mid top-10 up until second place. He hounded the rear wheel of Boog across a drier and rougher surface but struggled to find a place to overtake and at the chequered flag, just two seconds separated the pair.
Tanel Leok had to occupy 14th position on the line after catching his weakened left leg on the start gate for the qualification heat on Saturday. The veteran MX1 racer experienced the same problem as Desalle in the first race and failed to finish. In the second affair, Leok made a superb start and actually led the field for a lap and ran inside the top-three for half of the 35 minute and 2 lap distance. The Estonian was restricted by a painful right hamstring that disrupted his attempts to maintain a rhythm until the finish but he pushed through to take seventh.
After three podium results in five rounds, Desalle maintains second position in the MX1 Championship standings. Leok is 10th and three points away from further promotion. The team can now pack up and head back to Europe and will have one week to prepare for the Grand Prix of France at St Jean D’Angely and the start of three consecutive events with trips to Portugal and then Bastogne in Belgium to follow.
Clement Desalle: “I crashed at the start of the first moto and it was Philippaerts that caused it all but that’s racing. It is just bad luck, again! I then crashed about another 300m after; it was a really bad start to the moto! I just concentrated on my riding after that and came back to fifth until the engine stopped. Normally I try to ride in a way that is not hard on the bike, especially in those conditions, so it was pretty bad that happened. I lost the chance to make some good points in that first race. In the second my start was better but Barragan fell in front of me and I had to brake. I was mid-pack and I couldn’t believe my luck again. Once more I had to push and recover and climbed up to second but it was not easy to pass Boog on the last lap. I was also feeling pretty tired because everything was heavy with the mud. I have to keep on focussing on my work now.”
Tanel Leok: “We had a bike problem in the first one and there was not much I could do. I also injured my right leg in that race. I just pulled the muscle and there was so much pain I was even in doubt about whether I could make the second moto. Every time I put my right leg out I felt a big jolt, despite some painkillers. I couldn’t ride like I want even though I had a great start. It is a bit frustrating because I was held back by a stupid injury that I shouldn’t really have.”
— Yamaha Report
Monster Energy Yamaha’s David Philippaerts survived a wet and muddy Grand Prix of Brazil and the fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship to post his second podium finish in a row and claim runner-up position overall in South America.
After travelling from Mexico during the week Monster Energy Yamaha found a first-class facility in Beto Carrero. The standard and presentation of the circuit set a new level in the series with the ‘stadium’ setting of the track housing full grandstands on three sides of the compact layout. 42,000 spectators (weekend figure) helped create a buzzing atmosphere. The ground was tacky and rough in the corners for a technical test during Saturday but a deluge of rainfall created far muddier terrain on Sunday and turned the motos into a lottery.
Philippaerts was determined and primed with confidence after finishing third in Guadalajara and his decent form and vibrant approach to the tricky track was responsible for yet more success on the YZ450FM. In the first race he moved up from sixth to hold secure second position behind Christophe Pourcel. The Italian pumped the air when he crossed the finish line; fully aware of the decent result in some of the most treacherous conditions of the season to-date. The rain stopped and the mud dried for the second race but the ruts were extremely deep and the surface was slippery. ‘DP’ hit the ground early in the moto but was able to work from tenth up to sixth to earn his second trophy on the spin. It also continues Philippaerts’ positive record in Brazil with 2nd, 1st and 2nd overall recorded in the last three visits.
Riding with heavy strapping after his left shoulder dislocation in Mexico, Shaun Simpson was holding sixth position in the qualification heat until a small slip caused him to lose positions and therefore take fifteenth in the gate for Sunday. The Scot went on to obtain seventh and twelfth. The second moto in particular was a tough outing for the reigning Belgian Champion with his weakened upper limb. Simpson classified tenth for the Grand Prix and equalled his best points accumulation of 2012 so far.
Steven Frossard travelled to Brazil hoping for some better feeling in his weak right knee and to see if the Beto Carrero circuit might have been a forgiving. Unfortunately the Frenchman could not find any confidence around the tight turns and big jumps on Saturday and decided to not take any risks. The 2011 MX1 runner-up now plans to return to France, convalesce and prepare fully for his home Grand Prix on June 3rd. If Frossard still feels unable to compete in his current condition with an anterior cruciate ligament missing in his right leg then he could opt for an operation.
After moving up three positions in the championship standings in Mexico Philippaerts is still sixth but now just 12 points from the top five. Simpson was able to make some points after his non-score in Mexico and lies twelfth. Monster Energy Yamaha now head back to Europe and St Jean D’Angely in two weeks time.
David Philippaerts: “I’m very happy, especially for the team who have worked a lot to get the bikes ready for the mud. Yesterday I was riding well and then in the first moto today I made a decent start that put me sixth or seventh and I pushed from there. In the second race I tried not to make any mistakes because the track was difficult. I knew it was important to get into a position where I could make sure of the podium. I feel good and I’m not really looking at the championship standings; I just want to try and get near the front in each race. It is important that I get as much race time as I can, feel good on the bike and avoid any crashes. I like coming to Brazil! It is hard staying outside of Europe for a long time but this is the world championship and it’s great to come to places like this.”
Shaun Simpson: “Coming into this weekend it was like ‘Can I ride? Will I ride? Should I ride?’ Fortunately I was able to race and today was pretty tough. The speed was quite high but I managed to get through it. Today was all about the starts and both were shocking; I don’t really know what happened. I recovered from outside the top twenty to be sixth or seventh at one stage and that was mega until I crashed on a table top and let a few guys past. I had a good battle with Cairoli and not many people can say they passed him twice in the same day! After the race my shoulder was really tired. I haven’t used the muscles all week and they were a little bit in ‘hibernation mode’. In the second moto I started to feel fatigued after about twenty minutes and lost a couple of places. Anyway I’ve equalled my best points tally so far and I feel pretty pumped about that. Now I just need to heal up a little bit and start building back to condition for the next three GPs.”
Steven Frossard: “It is too early. I see now that I wasn’t ready in time for these two races. I had pain in Mexico but now I’m just worried about catching the leg and I don’t have any strength to put it out in the turns if I need to. I will think towards St Jean and see if I can be ready in the two weeks until that race. I will make a decision on the rest of the season there.”
Rainfall hit the Grand Prix of Brazil at the excellent Beto Carrero facility and created a tough fifth round of sixteen in the FIM Motocross World Championship. Monster Energy Yamaha were able to see Christophe Charlier celebrate the first podium result of his career and give the prototype YZ250FM its first trophy of the season in some of the toughest and most demanding racing conditions seen this year so far.
The Frenchman was second overall after two confident and mature performances in the muddy and soggy motos, capturing second place and fourth position to climb the box for a maiden spray of champagne and Yamaha’s second MX2 podium appearance of 2012.
Although he had to ride most of both 35 minute and 2 lap races without any goggles, Charlier was very impressive across the terrain that punished the slightest of mistakes. Only a slip in the second moto prevented the Corsican from being able to challenge Tommy Searle for the lead. Still, Brazil represented a small milestone in the former European Champion’s career and just two Grands Prix since returning from a broken foot.
Michael Leib travelled to Beto Carrero with a sore right hand. The American fell on the first lap of the first moto and also struggled a little with the set-up of his bike but aimed to post points on the board in the second race and managed thirteenth, for sixteenth overall.
Although he has missed two rounds of the series Charlier is now twelfth in the MX2 standings and has been improving his results since debuting with the factory team in Italy four weeks ago. Leib is fourteenth. Further news on Arnaud Tonus (who rode for the first time today since recovering from injury) and Zach Osborne (expected to climb on his YZ250F in the next fortnight) and a further update on the Monster Energy MX2 line-up will be provided before the Grand Prix of France – round six – at St Jean D’Angely in two weeks time.
Christophe Charlier: “This is my first grand prix podium and the first time I’ve been able to have some champagne since 2009 and winning the European Championship, so it feels really good. My foot is fine and it feels good to be fit and getting faster. It was pretty hard out there today. I had to get rid of my goggles early in the motos and a piece of mud hit me directly in the left eye. It was painful but I could keep going. Even though I come from the deepest south of France I’m used to riding on all sorts of tracks and in the mud even from my days on an 85. I also have long legs which helps a lot!”
Michael Leib: “I heard it was going to be raining here from the forecast during the week but I was struggling with my hand all weekend anyway. I had a bit of a get-off on Saturday and was super-sore. I lost the handlebars four or five times in that second race. If I go to France then I should be OK for that. A lot of things went the wrong way for me this weekend.”
— MX3
Before today´s races was everything opened. Too many riders wanted to win in this race. This year´s FIM MX3 rounds are accompanied by rain and nothing has changed in Arco di Trento. Red plate owner Matthias Walkner defended his position and moreover he took victory. Another two Austrians filled up the podium.
Race 1
Race one in MX3 cathegory started very attractive. Two home riders and two Austrian guys were the fastest from start. Fastest one could be only one. It was Günter Schmidinger who took the holeshot. Another Austrian rider Michael Staufer was riding wheel to wheel with Günter. He wasn´t able to defend his postion and Michael went to lead. He was fastest in first ride and he took victory.
Michael Staufer: „I am happy, I won, finally. What else, another Austrian guys were behind me, it looks like on an Austrian championship. I am satisfied now. Hope to repeat that in second race.“
Hillinger KTM MX-Racing Team rider Matthias Walkner, Austrian rider too, was riding from start in the front. Three Austrian riders, Staufer, Schmidinger and Walkner were catching up and they three ran away from other riders. Matthias Walkner was pushing hard on Schmidinger´s second place. In the last lap Günter Schmidinger made a mistake and Matthias could take him over. Matthias Walkner finished second in first race today.
Finally, Mibag Schmidinger World Motocross Team rider Günter Schmidinger obtained third position. He was fast from the start, defending his leading position too, but closing to end he lost two positions and he had to be satisfied with third.
Well-prepared and fast rider Klemen Gercar noticed bad start. After first lap he was only 19th, but he did not give up. Neverthless he was pushing harder and harder. Klemen was passing his rivals easily with his agressive, but technically good ride. UFO Racing Team rider Klemen Gercar got fourth position in the first race.
Hard job waited for Matevz Irt in the first race. He had some problems just after start, but then he started doing his best. He was in every lap on better position. In the end of race he was fighting with home rider Alessandro D´Angelo and Czech rider Martin Michek. His ride brought to him fifth place.
Racing Service Corregio rider Martin Michek on KTM was trying whole race to move on to the front. It was hard job for him. He earned three places and in the finish line it was enough only to sixth place. He took over also home rider Alessandro D´Angelo, who obtained seventh place. Team-mate of Martin Michek, Petr Bartoš was after start in front, but not for a long time. He made a mistake and it removed him to eighth place. Philip Rüf, fourth Austrian in top ten, finished nineth. Stijn Verstrepen wanted to be in top ten riders before the race. His dream came true in the first race, when he took tenth.
Race 2
Race two seemed before the race very hard. Rain complicated conditions on a track, but MX3 riders were prepared to pass this exam. Hilinger KTM MX-Racing Team rider Matthias Walkner made a good start again. He took the holeshot and did not let this position go. From start, until the end he was in lead. After this weekend red plate still belongs to him.
Günter Schimidinger started in top positions again. In second race he did not want to lose positions after mistakes. His concentration was better and he was riding on second, few seconds behind first Walkner. Team Mibag Schmidinger World Motocross rider Günter obtained second in muddy Race two.
Günter Schmidinger: „I am happy with my second place here. I made more concentration for the race two, no more unnecessary mistakes. It works and I could take second. Muddy conditions are no problem for me, because I train in mud and I used to like this.“
Matevz Irt always make a very good results in every race, when he is riding without mistakes. In Italian mud he could be faster than the others. Conditions in second race were suited for him and Slovenian rider came to finish in the third place. Matevz Irt lagged behind second Schmidinger for only 8 seconds.
Winner of first race Austrian Michael Staufer did not repeat first start. He get fourth position in race and nothing changed until end. It was great result for Michael, because after unlucky first three races, finally he reached podium. In Italy belongs to him second place overall.
Martin Michek is one of the guys, who aspire on world title. In Italy he had bad luck. First race he finished sixth and in second he had problems too. He was riding behind his team mate Petr Bartoš. Petr made a mistake and he started to catch Michael Staufer. Michael were five seconds over him and it was too hard to minimize gap. Finally RSC Team rider Michek closed first top five.
Stijn Verstrepen had a very good weekend in Italy. In the second race he was catching up with experienced rider Antti Pyrhönen. Young Stijn defend his position and he finished on sixth place best. He lost twenty seconds to top five. Finnish rider Antti Pyrhönen struggled through riders after bad start. In the end he obtained sevent position. In overall championship standings still belongs to him third position five poinst over Martin Michek.
UFO Racing Team rider Petr Michalec noticed one of the best rides in this season. Eventually he noticed very good start and he watched his 8th position for all the time. Antti´s team mate Ludvig Soderberg crossed finish line on nineth place. Petr Bartos closed finally top ten after his mistake a few laps before end the Race two.
MX3 Race 1 Results: 1. Michael Staufer (AUT, KTM), 35:05.128; 2. Matthias Walkner (AUT, KTM), 35:09.062; 3. Gunter Schmidinger (AUT, Honda), 35:17.272; 4. Klemen Gercar (SLO, Honda), 35:50.866; 5. Matevz Irt (SLO, Suzuki), 35:57.117; 6. Martin Michek (CZE, KTM), 35:59.093; 7. Alessandro D´Angelo (ITA, Kawasaki), 36:10.903; 8. Petr Bartos (CZE, KTM), 36:20.094; 9. Philip Ruf (AUT, Honda), 36:21.451; 10. Stijn Verstrepen (BEL, Honda), 36:23.690
MX3 Race 2 Results: 1. Matthias Walkner (AUT, KTM), 35:41.740; 2. Günter Schmidinger (AUT, Honda), 35:51.300; 3. Matevz Irt (SLO, Suzuki), 35:59.605; 4. Michael Staufer (AUT, KTM), 36:10.688; 5. Martin Michek (CZE, KTM), 36:15.221; 6. Stijn Verstrepen (BEL, Honda), 36:38.570; 7. Antti Pyrhonen (FIN, Honda), 36:42.259; 8. Petr Michalec (CZE, Honda), 36:44.351; 9. Ludvig Soderberg (FIN, Honda), 36:47.839; 10. Petr Bartoš (CZE, KTM), 36:50.019
MX3 Overall Classification: 1. Matthias Walkner (AUT, KTM), 47 points 2. Michael Staufer (AUT, KTM), 43 p. 3. Günter Schmidinger (AUT, Honda), 42 p. 4. Matevz Irt (SLO, Suzuki), 36 p. 5. Martin Michek (CZE, KTM), 31 p. 6. Stijn Verstrepen (BEL, Honda), 26 p. 7. Klemen Gercar (SLO, Honda), 26 p. 8. Petr Bartos (CZE, KTM), 24 p. 9. Antti Pyrhönen (FIN, Honda), 23 p. 10. Ludvig Söderberg (FIN, Honda), 20 p.
MX3 Championship Classification: 1. Matthias Walkner (AUT, KTM), 142 points 2. Günter Schmidinger (AUT, Honda), 130 p. 3. Antti Pyrhönen (FIN, Honda), 110 p. 4. Martin Michek (CZE, KTM), 105 p. 5. Klemen Gercar (SLO, Honda), 99 p. 6. Michael Staufer (AUT, KTM), 96 p. 7. Matevz Irt (SLO, Suzuki), 77 p. 8. Lukasz Lonka (POL, Honda), 72 p. 9. Petr Bartos (CZE, KTM), 64 p. 10. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, Honda), 49 p.
— WMX
Cloudy Arco di Trento hailed WMX FIM World Motocross Championship for the first time. Number of spectators pushed home riders to leading positions. Italian Chiara Fontanesi didn´t dissapointed and she took double from Ciclamino´s circuit. Her compatriot Francesca Nocera finished right behind her on second place.
Race 1
As usually, Chiara Fontanesi didn´t start easyli. After start she was again in the middle of starting pole. Despite of it she always fight until the end. In the first lap she did her best and she moved on second. Only well-riding Nina Klink was against her. Skilled Chiara is this year unquestionably one of the best and after taking first position she took the race under control and only enlarged her lead. In the end she finished with 15 seconds gap in front of her compatriot Francesca Nocera.
Chiara Fontanesi: „I am happy to win this race. I made better start today and everything went better. I am happy and I have to repeat it in second race.“
Italian rider Francesca Nocera was fighting for first positions after start. She was changing positions in the front. In the second lap she was taken over by Chiara. Immediately after that she started to catch her. After her nice performance she obtained second place in Race 1.
HM Plant KTM UK rider Natalie Kane was after start the last one. Yesterday she showed to everybody, that she is fast rider. Natalie repeated it in today´s first race. After nine laps Natalie Kane reached first top five riders. Only two Dutch riders, Marianne Veenstra and Britt van der Wekken were riding over her. For Natalie it was not hard job to take they both over. Natalie finished after exhaustive Race 1 third.
Marianne Veenstra with her KTM rode on fifth position at the start of Race one. She was catching up with her compatriot Nina Klink. In the second half of race she managed to take fourth position. She ended the race only five seconds behind third Natalie Kane from Great Britain.
Another rider Britt van der Wekken from Netherlands wanted to repeat podium result from France. From the first corner she went in the middle, so she started to take over riders. She was pushing hard and in the end harder to catch first top five riders. Only a few laps before finish Dutch rider over her made a mistake and Britt took this advantage to get fifth position.
Third Dutch rider in the front Nina Klink made a very good start. Her speed and a few mistakes meaned for her loosing positions. Nina crossed finish line in sixth position. Joanna Miller from Poland didn´t repeat her qualifying succes. In the first race on Sunday she obtained seventh position.
French Yamaha rider Justine Charroux made a very good start and after first lap she was riding on sixth position. Close to end she was loosing forces and she felt to eighth position. German rider Anne Borchers obtained nineth position and Maria Lorca from Francy Racing team closed first top ten women riders in Race one.
Race 2
Fonta MX Racing rider Chiara Fontanesi managed to start great in Race two. She was from start on the first place and immediately she started riding in her rhytm. She had not any bigger rival in second race. Her lap times and her speed were the best among of all. Gap between her and second rider was in finish nearly half a lap. She reached double at home track in Italy.
Weekend of Francesca Nocera was incredible too. Already in qualifying she noticed good times. In second race she was in Natalie Kane´s shadow. Natalie was fast and she looked very surely. In last lap Natalie made a big mistake and she felt down to 23th position. There came time to Francesca. Second place belongs to her and all from Francy Racing Team were happy to reach the podium.
Francesca Nocera: „Yeah, I am very very happy. I am second, it is incredible. I had a good feeling just after qualifying race. Everything went well and I was prepared to do my best. Now I can take prize for second place.“
After not very good first race, Polish rider Joanna Miller took all her forces to fight for top positions. Joanna was for all the time close to Francesca, but she didn´t catch excursory Francesca up. After counting the points was everybody surprised. Third place went to Poland, first time in the podium, to Joanna Miller on KTM.
Another fight wheel to wheel was just behind Joanna Miller. Justine Charroux and Britt van der Wekken, they both wanted to take places ahead. French rider Justine Charroux with her blue Yamaha bike was showing her back to Britt all the time. Britt van der Wekken didn´t find place on the track, where she could take Justine over, so the rankings stayed the same. Justine Charroux took nice fourth place and Dutch rider Britt van der Wekken was satisfied with fifth position. In overall championship standings this round in Italy moved Britt to third place behind Chiara Fontanesi and Livia Lancelot.
Another Dutch rider Marianne Veenstra was worse in second race. In muddy part of racing Marianne had to drive back attacks of Anne Borchers. German rider enden in second race in seventh position aand Marianne obtained sixth.
Good looking ride in slippery terrain performed Virginie Germond. She gained better position in every lap. From 13th place she made eighth in finish. Top ten riders of race two closed women from Great Britain. Nineth position went to Alix Dunlop and Sophia Paull obtained tenth place.
WMX Race 1 Results: 1. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), 24:11.410; 2. Francesca Nocera (ITA, KTM), 24:26.350; 3. Natalie Kane (GBR, KTM), 24:29.854; 4. Marianne Veenstra (NED, KTM), 24:35.288; 5. Britt van der Wekken (NED, Honda), 24:44.681; 6. Nina Klink (NED, KTM), 24:52.830; 7. Joanna Miller (POL, KTM), 24:53.383; 8. Justine Charroux (FRA, Yamaha), 25:09.629; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), 25:20.696; 10. Maria Lorca (VEN, Suzuki), 25:37.632
WMX Race 2 Results: 1. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), 25:21.349; 2. Francesca Nocera (ITA, KTM), 26:07.207; 3. Joanna Miller (POL, KTM), 26:16.958; 4. Justine Charroux (FRA, Yamaha), 26:17.759; 5. Britt van der Wekken (NED, Honda), 26:18.981; 6. Marianne Veenstra (NED, KTM), 26:21.983; 7. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), 26:33.376
WMX Overall Classification: 1. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), 50 points 2. Francesca Nocera (ITA, KTM), 44 p. 3. Joanna Miller (POL, KTM), 34 p. 4. Marianne Veenstra (NED, KTM), 33 p. 5. Britt van der Wekken (NED, Honda), 32 p. 6. Justine Charroux (FRA, Yamaha), 31 p. 7. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), 26 p. 8. Sophia Paull (GBR, Honda), 21 p. 9. Natalie Kane (GBR, KTM), 20 p. 10. Kimberley Braam (NED, Kawasaki), 17 p.
WMX Championship Classification: 1. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), 144 points 2. Britt van der Wekken (NED, Honda), 98 p. 3. Livia Lancelot (FRA, Kawasaki), 92 p. 4. Marianne Veenstra (NED, KTM), 91 p. 5. Natalie Kane (GBR, KTM), 87 p. 6. Francesca Nocera (ITA, KTM), 79 p. 7. Justine Charroux (FRA, Yamaha), 77 p. 8. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), 70 p. 9. Nina Klink (NED, KTM), 61 p. 10. Joanna Miller (POL, KTM), 60 p.