GP Bits: MXGP of Sardegna | Round 10

Let's take a walk through the pits at the MXGP of Sardegna in Sardinia, Italy.

Klinger
9/22/2021 11:43am
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The MXGP of Sardegna was quite the sandy affair.

Maxime Renaux was able to keep his commanding points lead in the MX2 class with second overall.

Maxime Renaux: “I had to push really hard in the first race and I pushed to the end. I really tried to go for the win and my last five or six laps in the first race were really good and, in the end, I could catch Tom (Vialle). I tried to pass him but couldn’t make it happen. I was still satisfied with the race. In the second race I had a better start and I tried to keep the pace of Tom but in the end, I was a little bit tired and my legs were burning a lot, so I tried to just handle it to the end, which is what I did. I also had to think of the championship and not do anything crazy, so I just took third, second overall, and that was enough for today. I extended the championship lead and that is all I need to do.”

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It was Kay de Wolf's third podium of the season... Impressive riding from the 16-year-old Dutchman.

Kay de Wolf: “Another podium result in my rookie season so I’m really happy. It definitely could have been better if it wasn’t for an unfortunate crash in race two. As I came out of a corner fast I just couldn’t avoid Thibault Benistant’s bike, which was laying in the track. There was just not enough time to stop and I hit his bike. I burnt my arm and it took a little while to free my bike from his. It’s frustrating but my riding was really good and I was able to make up the positions that I lost quite quickly. Overall, though, it’s been a great weekend. I’ve moved up to seventh in the standings so I’m really happy and looking forward to Germany in two weeks’ time.”

Mattia Guadagnini is still second in the MX2 points chase, and had a solid 3rd place finish in moto 1. Unfortunately, multiple crashes and a bike issue left him out of moto 2.

Jago Geerts runs the ever-popular XTrig ROCS clamps in contrast to the Star Yamaha team who has Neken clamps and controls.

Both European and American HRC Honda teams have extra long Yosh headers on their bikes. Art and performance in one!

No pantyhose here. Twin Air louver covers for the sand.

The Factory Yamaha MX2 team runs a hydraulic clutch.

As does the MXGP team. Also, Seewer's seat is a custom shape that is flatter and wider than stock.

Tony Cairoli crashed in timed practice and had to be taken to the medical center to be checked out. He got the all-clear, but was too beat up to be on the line for the motos.

Tony Cairoli: “A very bad day today. I was hoping for a good race because I like this track a lot. It was a small mistake that cost a lot of energy and affected me. When I was on the ground I didn’t feel everything so well. I was pretty scared. With the check afterwards, it was a relief to know everything was OK but the impact meant I could not race. It would have been good to take some points today but that’s part of racing. We’ll focus on getting healthy again and enjoying this last part of the season.”

Different headers for the different riders even though they are the same engine and same pipe.

Some custom venting on Romain Febvre's MX Rocks Polisport handguards. Also, the lower part of the front fender has sand deflectors.

Romain Febvre: “It’s been a good day for us. I was a little sick last week and lost a few points but we pulled them back today. I couldn’t find a clean lap this morning so I didn’t have a good choice of gate which made it more difficult for the start; I was in a fight for tenth at first in race one but I came back to third. I was happy with my riding so I knew I could run with the leaders with a good start in race two. We were a group of three at the front; it was a nice race. I was just behind Jeffrey and Jorge and I thought maybe they would make a mistake and I could pass, but they didn’t make any mistakes and I was not in a position to pass. Still, third is good for the championship. My approach will stay the same for the next few races; to get good starts and be consistent. I prefer hardpack, and we don’t have any more really deep sand tracks; we will race at Lacapelle in France next month and I really like Arco where we are scheduled to have three races. We are really close in the championship now with all to play for for the rest of the season. “

This YZ450F has some of the gold heat tape on one of the coolant hoses and a carbon fiber guard for another.

Emil Wechman's Assomotor Honda CRF250R has plenty of vent holes cut in the fender and radiator shrouds. Also, they Twin Air oil cooler with hose guard, and an STM clutch.

Isak Gifting: “It was hot and rough today! But I quite like it like that as I know my fitness is good and it showed in both races. I felt great on the bike in both motos and I think in race two I could have maybe pushed for fifth, but I didn’t want to take any risks. To finish fifth-overall is a great day for me and the team. Now I’m looking forward to the Motocross of Nations next weekend in Mantova.”

Teammates de Wolf and Beaton showcasing both ways of going through this corner.

Extra large radiators for the CRF450R.

Jeffrey Herlings took over the red plate from Tim Gajser, who is recovering from a practice crash earlier in the week.

Jeffrey Herlings: “With the injuries to Tim and Tony it is a sad way to take this red plate. It means nothing at the moment. I know what injury is like, so hopefully they will get healthy before the next GP. I was fast in Timed Practice and that first moto holeshot was a big surprise! I led the whole way. In the second I started behind Jorge and tried to overtake him but it was tough. Many times I tried, and with five-six laps to go I managed it and pulled a gap. It was a perfect week and now we’ll keep charging and keep going. We made some improvements on the start and happy for the team and the work we’ve done.”

Tim Gajser: "Coming into this race, I knew it would be extremely tough but I know how important that every single point can be in this championship battle so I wanted to try. Despite the injury, I actually felt pretty good, posting a fast laptime in free practice, but I wasn’t able to do a good one in the timed practice and this really hurt my chances of a top 10 start. Then unfortunately, in the first moto, I got caught up by another rider as he fell over round the first bend and I had to remount almost last. I tried to regroup but another crash a lap later made things very difficult. I didn’t give up though and kept pushing and pushing and eventually I passed a couple of guys to finish 19th. Obviously, I was disappointed but I really felt I could do better if I got a good start, which thankfully I did in race two. I rounded the first lap in 12th place and I got into a nice rhythm on what was a really difficult track. I knew I was fit, and although I was hurting, I battled through into eighth place. Overall, I am happy to have scored 15 crucial points and with a weekend off to get healthy, I hope that by Teutschenthal, I will be able to be back battling for wins once again. A big thank you to the team for supporting me during this difficult week, I really appreciate everything you do!"

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Style check: Geerts?
Or Boisrame?

That's it from Sardinia. MXoN is up next.


Related:
Mathys Boisrame
Jago Geerts
Jeffrey Herlings
Tony Cairoli
GP Bits
Isak Gifting
MXGP of Sardegna
Mattia Guadagnini
Kay de Wolf
Jed Beaton
Maxime Renaux
Jorge Prado
Glenn Coldenhoff
MX2
Tim Gajser
MXGP
Jeremy Seewer
Romain Febvre
GP Bits 2020
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