MX-GP: Fantastic runner-up performance by Frossard in Bulgaria

The first round of fifteen in the 2011 FIM MX1-GP World Championship
was a memorable one for Monster Energy Yamahas Steve Frossard as the
factory team rookie tied on points for victory at the Grand Prix of
Bulgaria, won a moto and left the cold and windy Sevlievo circuit with
the runner-up position overall.

The Frenchman aced the qualification
heat on Saturday to take pole position and signal his intent across the
flat hard-pack. The 23 year old handled his YZ450F with deft skill; the
kind of form that recently helped him claim the MX1 Italian title. A
superb start on Sunday watched by the officially-provided spectator
figure of 35,000 allowed Frossard to flick and sprint away from the
pack and win the first moto of the year and his first in the class and
with Yamaha.

The second race saw a similar level of
speed and performance although he faced a tricky challenge from Clement
Desalle that produced some close and exciting racing. Frossard was able
to prevail and had a four second lead entering the closing stages of
the contest when he lost traction exiting a corner and the back end of
the bike spun out. Quickly remounting he jostled for the lead again
with Desalle and also Jonathan Barragan. A small moment of mis-timing
on the final lap prevented a last-gasp attack and Frossard had to
accept second and the same ranking on the podium due to the second race
classification.

While Frossard was marking the pace at
the front David Philippaerts was forging a similar effort through the
pack after two restrictive starts. The Italian pushed through to fourth
place in Moto1 after a thorough charge. A better launch in Moto2 was
ruined on the apex of the first corner when the former world champion
lost balance. From the very rear of the field DP19 valiantly chased
back to 14th for 10th overall.

Anthony Boissiere was another rider
making his bow for Yamaha in MX1 and picked up a decent share of points
for 15th and 13th and 13th at the end of the day.

With 2nd, 10th and 13th the MX1-GP
collective of the Monster Energy Yamaha team are off and running. Round
two will take place in two weeks on Easter Monday at Valkenswaard for
the Grand Prix of the Netherlands.