Romain Febvre of Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP qualified third for tomorrow’s twelfth round of the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship at Loket in the Czech Republic.
After dominating Free Practice the Frenchman was restricted to ninth in Timed Practice as crashes by other riders continually brought out the yellow flags to deny him a clean run but the smooth power of the KX450-SR was proven once again as he rocketed out of the gate in Qualifying to round turn one third. Towards the end of the opening lap he surrendered a position as he bounced off the trackside bank whilst looking for a potential pass but he swept back to third already on lap two and engaged in an enthralling duel for the remainder of the race to earn third-choice of gate for each of tomorrow’s GP motos.
Romain Febvre: “I never got a clean lap during the Timed Practice session as there was always a crash and a yellow flag when I made an attempt but I was not concerned as you can get a good start from everywhere here. My start was good; I was third in the first corner and was looking for lines behind Seewer when I made a small mistake and Fernandez could pass me. I soon passed him back and then I tried to pass Seewer. I did it one time but in the next corner he cut my line. It’s easy to make time and come really close to your rival here but to make a pass stick is more difficult even though I was faster. It’s really hot here today, but when you are racing that’s not really a problem; it’s when you stop that you feel the heat.”
KRT teammate Mitch Evans advanced methodically from an eighteen-placed start to secure his eventual twelfth place on lap six of thirteen; the next rider ahead of him was some distance ahead and he settled for that position in the intense heat.
F&H Kawasaki Racing Team’s Kevin Horgmo exited the first turn of Qualifying for the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship tenth and quickly advanced to ninth, taking over eighth on lap eight of thirteen before posting a series of podium-pace laps towards the end pf the race to close within sight of fifth at the chequered flag.
Kevin Horgmo: “It took me a few laps to get into a good rhythm but towards the end of the moto I found my lines and I got a better and better feeling for tbe track. It’s looking good for tomorrow!”
After narrowly avoiding a collision by other riders at the first turn David Braceras moved forward three positions on the opening lap of Qualifying to join his F&H teammate in the top-ten and held that position past half-distance before surrendering one place towards the end of his first race since damaging a leg two months ago.
David Braceras: “I have only been back on a bike for one month after my leg injury in France but I had a good feeling for the track from the first lap of practice this morning. My start was good but there was an incident at the first turn with many riders and I almost crashed; I came back strongly to finish eleventh so I am motivated for tomorrow.”
