Monster Energy Yamahas Steven Frossard finished
second twice at the difficult Kegums circuit for the Grand Prix of
Latvia to walk the runner-up step of the overall MX1 podium with the
YZ450FM. He was able to lift his fifth trophy of his rookie campaign in
the premier class.
The tenth round of fifteen in the 2011 calendar took
place in sunny and warm conditions and watched by a 21,000 attendance.
Frossard was a key player in the tussle for victory but team-mate David
Philippaerts was also pro-active and his excellent flight from outside
of the top ten to fifth in the second moto was a stand-out performance.
Instead of the soft and shifting sand from previous
years Kegums was hard and laden with small bumps. The jumpy and
physically-demanding course split opinion with many racers finding the
terrain an intense drain of concentration while others enjoyed the open
lines and big jumps. The conditions meant experimentation with bike
set-up to find the best traction and both riders altered their engine
configuration (for smoother power) and adjusted suspension
configuration.
Frossard kept a strong pace in the first moto until
the closing stages of the 35 minutes and 2 laps when he was able to
increase his speed and close on the battle for second, sweeping past
Evgeny Bobryshev and Max Nagl. The Frenchman set-off in hot pursuit of
Antonio Cairoli and with both having to move through a gaggle of
backmarkers, Frossard was able to haunt the rear wheel of the Sicilian
but just ran out of time. Three tenths of a second split the pair at the
finish. In the second moto 183 kept Cairoli close-company for half the
race but a broken plastic chain runner on the swing-arm caused a strange
feeling and meant the 24 year old exercised caution and settled for
second spot.
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