Press Release

Frossard runner-up in Latvia for fifth podium of 2011




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.





























David Philippaerts managed to hold onto the back of
his team-mate and Clement Desalle for almost all of the first race but
struggled a little to find effective lines and passed the flag in fifth.
Later in the afternoon the Italian was able to trouble the top ten in
his usual aggressive and impressive manner. The former world champion
started badly but rode from a slot of thirteenth on the first lap to
capture fifth again and the same classification overall.



Anthony Boissiere made a good start to run in the
top ten during the second moto but the Frenchman is still lacking a
sharp edge of race fitness and eventually posted two thirteenth
positions to lie twelfth at the end of the day.



The MX1 World Championship table shows both factory
riders in the top six of the standings. Frossard holds third place and
is still in contention for the title in his first season in the class.
He stares at a distance of 46 points from Cairoli with a maximum of 250
to be won in the five remaining events. The French and Swedish GP winner
is just 4 points behind Clement Desalle in second. Philippaerts is
sixth and 29 away from the top five.



After six meetings in seven weeks Monster Energy
Yamaha will now be able to enjoy a small break before back-to-back races
in Belgium and Czech Republic starting on July 31st. The meetings will
provide two diverse challenges as the sand of Lommel is considered one
of the toughest surfaces of the year and will be followed by the greasy
and stony hard-pack of Loket.

Philippaerts in Latvia
























Frossard on Latvian podium







Steven Frossard, 2nd and 2nd for 4th overall:



I had a bad start in the first moto and for around
twenty minutes I didnt have a good feeling on the track and was getting
some arm-pump. I looked for the better lines and I was able to get
faster and smoother. I came back very well even though it was difficult
to pass the other riders. I almost caught Antonio but couldnt manage it.
Anyway I was happy. I felt fit and ready for the second moto and passed
Antonio on the first lap but he got me back. I started to look at the
lines and kept with him but when I heard a couple of noises from the
bike I focussed on taking second and making the finish. I was able to
play on the bike and with the track this weekend and I hope it will be
the same next time in the sand.



David Philippaerts, 5th and 5th for 5th overall:



Im happy with today because last year I found the
track very difficult but this time I was riding fast. I think it was
possible to finish in the top three during the second moto but I made a
mistake at the start with Nagl and I was held back. My lap-times were
good after that even though the state of the track meant it was hard
work. This is not my favourite place so Im happy to have form like this.
I took some risks to pass but I overtook a lot of riders and this was
something else positive. My condition is good and this is important
ahead of Lommel and Loket. The bike was working really well today. With
Fabio we made a few changes to the suspension and they worked out. We
will have a weekend off now but we will be in Belgium getting ready in
the sand.










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