2-3 for Honda World Motocross Team in Valkenswaard qualifier

Honda World Motocross riders Evgeny Bobryshev and Rui Gonçalves finished Sunday’s Qualifying Race in 2^nd and 3^rd position respectively, setting themselves up for prime gate pick for Monday’s main event in Valkenswaard, Netherlands.

Bobryshev, known as ‘Bobby’ in the paddock, had been flying in the morning sessions, posting 2^nd
quickest time in Free Practice and quickest in Pre-Quali Practice, but
it was team mate Rui Gonçalves who got the drop on him at the start of
the 20min + 2lap qualifying moto.

Following the melee of the start, Rui rounded the second turn 1^st but could not hang on to it, completing lap one in 3^rd
position. Bobby could not find his rhythm early on after a difficult
start from the inside number one gate which saw him crowded out in turn
two and shuffled back through the top five.

As the moto developed, a small error from Rui on lap seven was capitalized on by his charging team mate who took 3^rd position. Rui did not loose much time and continued in hot pursuit of his Honda counterpart, in racing formation.

As the moto reached it’s climax, leader Steven Frossard fell whilst negotiating tricky braking bumps and 1^st
position was taken by eventual race winner Max Nagl. Frossard’s mistake
also elevated Bobby and Rui into their finishing positions of 2^nd and 3^rd, only five seconds adrift of the leader.

Rui Gonçalves, Honda World Motocross
“That
was good! I am a bit annoyed with myself because I made a mistake and
let Bobby past but I was coming back at him towards the end of the moto
and did not feel tired at all. For sure it will be more difficult
tomorrow with two 40min motos but my conditioning is good.”

Evgeny Bobryshev, Honda World Motocross
“I
actually found myself feeling a bit tired towards the end of the moto
as I was pushing really hard in the middle. Over one lap I can be
really fast, like I was in
practice but I need to put together many consistent laps tomorrow in
the motos. I have been training really hard in the sand so I think it
will be ok.”