Strong qualification for Honda HRC at the MXGP of China
ShanghaiHonda HRC put in a strong showing across the board on qualification day at the MXGP of China. Tim Gajser finished second, Valerio Lata (MX2) was third and Ruben Fernandez was fifth as they showed the power of their Honda’s in front of a lot of fans and supporters at the track in Shanghai.
Ever since arriving in the country, the riders have been greeted by sweltering conditions with temperatures over 30C and a high humidity to match it. This has made things tough, and added an extra level of difficulty on what is a new circuit in for them to negotiate. Located a few kilometres away from the old venue, it definitely shares a lot of the same characteristics though, so it didn’t take them long to adapt and find their rhythm. All three riders were inside the top five in timed practice and although Fernandez wasn’t able to put in the hot-lap he wanted in timed practice, he still had confidence that his speed was there.
Gajser had second gate-pick and actually looked like he might grab the holeshot after an excellent jump out of the gate. Unfortunately he did run wide and let a couple of riders through, before quickly regaining those positions in the next corner. By the end of the lap he was back in second place and poised to make a pass for the lead, but due to the tight and technical nature of the track, he wasn’t able to ever get close enough to make anything stick. Instead he settled for second, which is still another improvement since his return from injury, so he is happy with the outcome with the potential for even more tomorrow.
Fernandez made a number of passes on the first lap to get himself into fifth, but like Gajser, found any further movement very difficult and he also decided it was better to maintain his position rather than risk too much. Fifth gate-pick does give him the opportunity to fight with the top guys out of the gate and that’s something he really wants to do, because his race speed has been excellent in recent events.
In the MX2 class, Lata put in a strong performance all day long, getting second in free practice, fourth in timed practice, before holding off a number of top riders to come home in third place in the qualification race. Considering he has never ridden in China before, it was an excellent debut in the country, especially given the weather conditions. His goal now is to try and replicate that same level in the two races tomorrow and score some decent points, in his quest to move up the MX2 Championship standings.
MX2 Qualification Race
1. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 24:02.438; 2. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:06.532; 3. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:16.124; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:16.924; 5. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:22.415; 6. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:23.915; 7. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:24.538; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:33.133; 9. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:36.776; 10. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:41.123;
Very happy with my result today and how I felt on the track. It definitely isn’t an easy track and it got a bit greasy for the race, but I think my riding was good and I had a good start off the gate, I just ran a little bit wide in the first corner. I think if I can do the same start tomorrow I can get out front and I know from today that passing isn’t easy so hopefully I can get myself on the podium.
Very happy with my result today and how I felt on the track. It definitely isn’t an easy track and it got a bit greasy for the race, but I think my riding was good and I had a good start off the gate, I just ran a little bit wide in the first corner. I think if I can do the same start tomorrow I can get out front and I know from today that passing isn’t easy so hopefully I can get myself on the podium.
I think with a better start I can run with the top guys. I could see them the whole race, but passing definitely wasn’t easy on this track and it got sketchy in the race so I didn’t want to risk too much. Overall, I am happy with my riding, but I think there is more to come for tomorrow.
I think with a better start I can run with the top guys. I could see them the whole race, but passing definitely wasn’t easy on this track and it got sketchy in the race so I didn’t want to risk too much. Overall, I am happy with my riding, but I think there is more to come for tomorrow.
I have enjoyed my time in China during the weekend and today we rode the track for the first time and I enjoyed that as well. It is a tight track, but I felt good on it and I think that showed in my results. Fourth in timed practice and then third for the whole of the qualification race is something I am delighted with, so I really want to go out tomorrow and do the same again.
I have enjoyed my time in China during the weekend and today we rode the track for the first time and I enjoyed that as well. It is a tight track, but I felt good on it and I think that showed in my results. Fourth in timed practice and then third for the whole of the qualification race is something I am delighted with, so I really want to go out tomorrow and do the same again.
A good day for each of the riders in some pretty tough conditions for everyone. It’s been hot and humid, and then in between the motos there was a burst of rain which made it greasy for Tim and Ruben. Overall though, a second for Tim, a third for Valerio and a fifth for Ruben is a strong showing for our team, but we will keep working and trying to improve even more for the two motos tomorrow.
A good day for each of the riders in some pretty tough conditions for everyone. It’s been hot and humid, and then in between the motos there was a burst of rain which made it greasy for Tim and Ruben. Overall though, a second for Tim, a third for Valerio and a fifth for Ruben is a strong showing for our team, but we will keep working and trying to improve even more for the two motos tomorrow.
