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A fourth consecutive podium for Romain Febvre
An outstanding ride through the pack in Race 2 of the Czech round of the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship at Loket earned Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP's Romain Febvre his fourth consecutive podium and saw him close dramatically in on second in the series standings.
The Frenchman was sixth at the first timing split after being squeezed off the gate in Race 1, but was already fourth at the end of the pit straight as the leaderboard pattern settled quickly with all of the quick men at the front. A classic pass, lined up over several turns, on Lap 6 saw him advance to third, and at 20 minutes he timed his challenge for second perfectly to charge through in front of the main gallery after building an exhilarating drive through a long sweeping first turn. With the leader already 12 seconds clear, he maintained his second place securely to the checkered flag. His podium expectations appeared to suffer a serious blow at Turn 1 of Race 2 as he was dragged to the ground by a crash in his path, but the Kawasaki leader showed great character and outstanding pace to charge dramatically through the pack. Fired up by the first-turn incident, he was into the Top 20 by the end of the first lap, was 10th by Lap 4 and at half-distance had taken eighth - and already the virtual podium - with a stunning outside pass through the valley. But he was still not satisfied, making three further dynamic passes to finish fifth in the moto and confirm his fourth consecutive podium. Though still third in the series standings, he is now just 25 points shy of second.
"After I came back strongly to second in the first moto I knew the start would be important in Race 2, but I got caught up in a crash at the first corner; my bike was blocked with that of other riders; I was stuck on top of one bike with another on top of mine, and it took me something like 20 seconds to rejoin the race. I thought the podium was over, but I dug deep and had good lines to finish fifth; I am so proud of this podium. Nothing has changed in my approach to the championship. I always try to ride as well as I can; that's the only way to fight for the title."
- Romain Febvre
DRT Kawasaki's Kay Karssemakers also showed tremendous spirit in the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship racing as he also overcame a first-turn incident to finish 10th overall.
Racing started with misfortune for the Dutchman; after posting ninth-fastest time in the morning Warm-up, he made a good jump from mid-gate but was dragged to the ground on the exit from Turn 1 when other riders fell in his path, and he had to charge from the back of a full grid. 13th on Lap 1, he was already up to a points-paying 20th by the end of Lap 2 and kept charging to take the checkered flag 13th. Escaping drama at the first corner of Race 2, he quickly made decisive moves to complete the opening lap 12th and continued to push, moving into the Top 10 on Lap 2 and advancing to eighth, a position he maintained comfortably to the finish by lap five. 10th overall was his reward for two battling rides, and he has confirmed his 11th place in the series standings.
"Liam Everts and a few others crashed in front of me at the first corner in the first race, and I could not avoid them, but I was really happy with my riding as I came back from last to 13th; it's not the easiest track to pass on, and we have a full grid today, but I fought to the end. My lap times were good, so I knew that if I rode like that again in the second moto I could be Top 10, and that is exactly what I did! I made several good passes during the first few laps and just did my thing, riding smooth. I really enjoyed the track today, and now I'm looking forward to the sand next week at Lommel; the track is 15 minutes from my home, just over the border in the Netherlands."
- Kay Karssemakers
