Monster Energy Yamaha’s David Philippaerts and Shaun
Simpson took their YZ450FM motorcycles to positions inside the top ten
of the Grand Prix of Bulgaria at a sunny Sevlievo circuit. 15,000
spectators came to the impressive venue that hosted the second stop of
sixteen on the FIM Motocross World Championship schedule. Philippaerts
posted results to claim 7th overall while Simpson was 9th at an event in
which Steven Frossard was sidelined with a twisted knee.
Light showers and a slick track on Saturday were
replaced by sunshine and a faster hard-pack terrain on Sunday. The
layout saw many MX1 riders circulating at a similar pace on a course
that was quick and didn’t pose too many technical difficulties despite
the long uphill climbs and steep downhill descents and some rutty
corners.
David Philippaerts rode strongly and consistently in
the first moto of 35 minutes and 2 laps to record an encouraging fifth
position. It was only the Italian’s third GP outing in eight months.
Sadly the former world champion could not reach the same slot at the
second time of asking as a crash after hitting a damp and watered area
of the track put him at the back of the pack. ‘DP’ charged from last all
the way to thirteenth, still an impressive feat and one that further
proves Philippaerts is nearing past levels of performance.
Shaun Simpson was again regular with his speed and
application in just his second Grand Prix with the YZ450F to record more
points and maintain a steady trajectory. The Scot made a decent getaway
in the first moto but lost some momentum in the middle of the race.
Eleventh position was followed by a slightly better ride in the dusty
conditions to ninth later on.
Steven Frossard was forced out of the Grand Prix
after twisting his right knee during the qualification heat on Saturday.
The Frenchman was found to have damaged his meniscus after scans that
same evening and is set for an operation on Monday. The chances of his
participation at Fermo for the Grand Prix of Italy – Philippaerts’ home
event - and the third round of the series next weekend will then be
determined.
David Philippaerts:
“Not much luck. I had a good race in the first and I
am very happy. I felt fast on the track, was close to the other guys
and was consistent with the lap-times. The track was not easy on my
wrists with all the downhills but it was good. At the start of the
second I got pushed wide on the first corner but came from twelfth to
seventh on the first lap. After the big jump around the back of the
circuit I hit a watered park of the track and lost the front. I picked
up the bike and then just tried to make each lap a bit better than the
one before. I think I was 32nd or something and came back to 13th so not
so bad. I am really motivated…just unlucky today! Fermo next and it is
two years that I’ve missed a home GP. I’m on the path back to the top
after my injury and I’m happy with how it’s going so far.”
Shaun Simpson:
“I came here quite positive because I was fast here
last year and the bike is much better now than the one I had so I knew I
had some speed. I was looking for a good pace and lap-time and for some
reason it didn’t really work out on Saturday. The track was a different
story today it was harder, dustier and faster. I got a decent start in
the first moto, in about eighth or ninth, and charged on to finish
eleventh. It was a similar story to Valkenswaard in that I had a little
dip in the middle. When you have guys like Leok and Karro behind you
then it becomes tricky to get the flow. I needed to ‘go’ with someone in
front of me. It was the same in the second moto and it’s something I
need to work on. Overall it has been another solid and reasonably
positive day for me. I want to keep up this consistency, as everyone
knows you have to finish the motos to be up there at the end of the year
so that’d what I am trying to do.”
4/22/2012 8:48pm
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