Tough Day for CAS Honda in Bulgaria

5th April 2009 – Round Two of the World MX1 Championship – Sevlievo, Bulgaria

After a luckless race one for CAS Honda at today's Grand Prix of Bulgaria, in which Cedric Melotte was ruled out of the day’s proceedings with a back injury, Billy Mackenzie concluded the day in a promising ninth position in the second moto.

In the first moto of the day at the hard-pack Sevlievo track, Mackenzie stormed out of the gate into sixth position, and rode boldly around the outside of his rivals to complete lap one in fourth place. The 24-year-old Scottish rider pushed hard in the opening laps of the race, before settling into a steady rhythm.

By lap five a few small mistakes had cost Mackenzie some places, before a technical problem which is still being investigated, on lap eight of the 30-minute plus two-lap moto ruled the disappointed CAS Honda pilot out of the race.

Teammate Melotte got a steady start out of the gate into the tight first turn in the opening race, and completed lap one in 19th place. The 30-year-old Belgian rider began to make some progress aboard his CRF450R, before disaster struck for the determined CAS Honda pilot on lap 10.

Melotte hit a bump hard as he powered his race machine out of the turn of the second uphill section of the track, which jarred his back, causing him excruciating pain. The Belgian rider attempted to grit his teeth and continue, but was forced to retire from the race as the severity of the pain in his back and legs increased.

After a visit from Clinica Mobile's Dr Scevola, it was confirmed that Melotte, who was unable to walk or move easily and was visibly in a lot of pain, had aggravated an old injury in the lower part of his back. The CAS Honda pilot was ruled out of race two, and will return to Belgium tomorrow for scans and a more detailed diagnosis from his own doctor to find out the extent of his injury.

In race two CAS Honda's sole representative, Mackenzie, got another good start into eighth position. The Scottish racer battled to elevate himself up the order, but after dropping behind Steve Ramon it was virtually a lone race for the CAS Honda pilot, who maintained his position to cross the line in ninth place.

CAS Honda now heads to Istanbul, Turkey for the third round of the World MX1 Championship next weekend.

Billy Mackenzie #211 Race one: DNF Race two: 9th

"In the first race I got the best start I've had all year and I was trying to make up places in the first few laps. I tightened up a little bit and I lost some of my rhythm, before the bike started to lose power. I didn't want to take my chances over any of the big jumps because I didn't know what was wrong so I decided to pull in. It was just a bit of bad luck as there was some problem with the bike, which the team is now investigating. In the second race I didn't get a great start and the first lap was really hectic with a lot of people around me. I settled into my own pace, which wasn't at the speed of the frontrunners, but I really wanted to get some points in the bag after the last two races. I have got some work to do over the next few weeks as I need more time on the bike, but at least we've made a start and hopefully we can move forwards from here."

Cedric Melotte #10 Race one: DNF

"I am so disappointed, frustrated and disheartened today. I have been trying so hard all weekend and the bike was feeling good. At this track a good start is vital, and I didn't quite get to where I needed to be in race one, then I made a small mistake, but I started to fight back for positions. I hit a bump hard on the exit of the turn at the second uphill on lap 10 and jarred my back, which was absolute agony, and I couldn't continue the race. Dr Scevola from Clinica Mobile examined me soon after, and it was confirmed that I've aggravated an old injury from four or five years ago, which means I'm unable to walk or move easily. I am so sorry for the team as everybody has been working so hard this weekend and I really wanted to get a good result. Now I must go home and be scanned to see exactly what the problem is with my back and hopefully with a clearer diagnosis, I can be treated in time for Turkey next weekend."

Neil Prince: CAS Honda Team Manager

"Today has certainly been quite tough for us. Cedric has been happy all weekend with the set-up of his machine, although he didn't get the best of starts to the first race. He hit a bump hard at the top of one of the hill sections and has jarred his back and was in a lot of pain. After a visit from the doctor it was obvious he would be unable to ride in the second race and he now must go home to find out the full extent of his injury, then concentrate on being fit enough to race at the next Grand Prix. Billy got a good start to the first race, but he still lacks some bike-fitness due to the wrist problem he has had. His overall fitness is very good, but he dropped back after a few laps, before his race was cut short with a technical issue, which we are still investigating. In the second race he managed to finish in ninth position, and he rode fairly consistently throughout. He has the speed to run at the front and the Honda is working very well, but he has some work to do in the coming weeks to bridge the gap to be able to run at the front of the field to achieve the results that he is more than capable of."