Clement Desalle took his factory Rockstar Energy
Suzuki World MX1 RM-Z450 to second position at Guadalajara for the
first ever Grand Prix of Mexico on Sunday.
The fourth round of
16 in the FIM Motocross World Championship was played out in 30 degree
temperatures and across a track that was tricky through the mixture of
loose terrain and hard-pack. Some 25,000 spectators turned out at the
Nico España circuit and were able to see Desalle engage in two fantastic
MX1 motos where he fought repeatedly for the lead and was denied the
top step of the podium by just one point.
Desalle and team-mate
Tanel Leok were both initially sceptical of the racing surface on
Saturday and the dusty conditions and both decided to abstain from
competing in the Qualification heat, which meant they entered the gate
14th and 18th respectively. The track was extensively watered throughout
Saturday night and also Sunday morning and was a rough and gnarly
prospect for the two 35 minute and two lap motos.
The Belgian
made an excellent start in the first outing and was part of a riveting
chase to the chequered flag with Antonio Cairoli and Christophe Pourcel.
When the latter caught fencing in his rear wheel it was down to the
reigning Champion and the '25' Suzuki; and the Italian had just a little
too much for Desalle on this occasion. The same trio resumed battle in
the second moto but were joined by David Philippaerts. Desalle and the
former Champion had a gripping duel with several close overtaking moves
for the lead. Although Philippaerts was able to break away on the final
lap, Desalle lost the overall victory when Cairoli moved past Pourcel
and his ranking of 1-3 pipped the Suzuki man's 2-2 scorecard.
Leok
was visually faster and more confident on the RM-Z450 after recovering
further from his injured left ankle. The Estonian had a poor start in
the first moto but flew back to sixth place and was unlucky not to
demote Kevin Strijbos in the closing stages. A better launch in the
second affair led to another sixth position and fifth spot overall; his
best result yet in 'yellow'.
The events of the Mexican event
mean that in the MX1 World Championship standings Desalle is second and
29 points behind Cairoli while Leok is ninth. Rockstar Energy Suzuki
World MX1 will now crate up the works RM-Z450s and prepare for shipping
to Beto Carrero for the Grand Prix of Brazil next week.
Clement Desalle:
"Second
again! I'm being consistent which is good but I was close to the win
today so it was disappointing not to do it. I will keep working and be
positive. The second moto was a good battle with David. We are two of
the most aggressive riders and when you can race hard like that without
crashing then it can be good."
Tanel Leok:
"It
went alright today. My riding keeps getting better and better as my leg
improves. I can be more aggressive and when there is no pain then you
don't need to worry. My start was not so good in the first moto but I
was riding OK and catching up. My roll-offs finished just before the end
and I wasn't able to catch Strijbos for fifth. My start was better in
the second moto and I was happy with that. My speed is now good from the
beginning of the races. I struggled a little bit to pass Boog but got
him by the end. The track was good but the dust was the only problem."
MX1 Moto1: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:53.481; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:07.664;
3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:30.519; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA,
Kawasaki), +0:43.925; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:48.259; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:53.089;
7. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), +1:07.005; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA,
Kawasaki), +1:14.736; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +1:19.620; 10.
David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:34.840.
MX1 Moto2: 1. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 40:15.650; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:01.323;
3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:05.451; 4. Christophe Pourcel (FRA,
Kawasaki), +0:11.445; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:14.190; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:16.658;
7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:17.784; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR,
Honda), +0:18.654; 9. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), +0:29.974; 10.
Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:45.232.
MX1 Overall Result: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 45 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 44 p.; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 36 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 30 p.;
6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 27 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 27
p.; 8. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), 26 p.; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR,
Honda), 25 p.; 10. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 23 p.
MX1 World Championship Standings (after 4 of 16 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 178 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 149 p.;
3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 134 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM),
131 p.; 5. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 129 p.; 6. David
Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 105 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 103
p.; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 99 p.; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 92 p.; 10. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 79 p.
5/14/2012 12:48pm
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