Vialle takes over championship lead after second in Andalucia
AlmonteAfter an excellent debut for Honda HRC PETRONAS last time out in Argentina, Tom Vialle takes over the championship-leading red-plate after his second-place finish in qualification at the MXGP of Andalucia.
Held at the new GP facility in Almonte, this sandy circuit has really tested the fastest motocross riders on the planet, but Vialle showed that his skills in the soft stuff are still up there with the best when he grabbed the holeshot, before riding to a comfortable second place. After his 50 points in Bariloche, Argentina, the Frenchman now holds a four-point lead and will look to extend that when they take to the track tomorrow for the two points scoring motos.
Unfortunately, despite being fastest in both free and timed practices, Jeffrey Herlings finished just outside the top 10 in qualification, as a first turn crash left him remounting way behind the rest of the field. Passing 19 riders in the 13 laps, the Dutchman put on a massive charge, dicing through the field before running out of time as he neared the points-scoring positions. It wasn’t what the red-plate holder was hoping for coming into the weekend, but his speed isn’t in doubt, and he’ll be trying to maximise his points total, just like he did in Argentina when he went one-one and scored 50 points.
A week of sickness really hindered any hopes that Ruben Fernandez would be able to stand on the podium at his home GP – like he did 12 months ago. The Spaniard has battled as hard as he could and was close to getting in the top 10 before a crash ruined his momentum, but he’ll be hoping to feel better tomorrow and try to score some decent points and please the massive number of Spanish fans who are supporting lining the fences, supporting their hero.
In the MX2 class, Valerio Lata also finished 11th, just missing out on points as he tries to get himself back into world championship action, after a nasty crash in Argentina last time out. A fourth place in free practice showed promise, but a seventh in timed practice and then a tough qualification race showed there is still work to be done before the Italian can mix it up with the best 250cc riders on the planet once again.
While today didn’t go to completely as planned, the two motos tomorrow offer up 50 points to all the riders, and all four of them are motivated to show this large Spanish crowd that they belong at the front of the field.
MX2 Qualification
1. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 25:19.366; 2. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:03.021; 3. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:05.149; 4. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:06.568; 5. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:09.961; 6. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:10.497; 7. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:33.532; 8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:42.496; 9. Kay Karssemakers (NED, Kawasaki), +0:44.722; 10. Jens Walvoort (NED, KTM), +0:51.704; 11. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:52.806;
I’ve been sick all week and I just haven’t been able to shake it at all, and it is so disappointing. I really want to put on a good show for all the fans but it is tough to perform at the highest level when you feel like this. I definitely appreciate all the fans who have been cheering me on and coming to see me, because it makes these home GPs so special. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and I can fight nearer to the front.
I’ve been sick all week and I just haven’t been able to shake it at all, and it is so disappointing. I really want to put on a good show for all the fans but it is tough to perform at the highest level when you feel like this. I definitely appreciate all the fans who have been cheering me on and coming to see me, because it makes these home GPs so special. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and I can fight nearer to the front.
A good solid race on what was a tricky track. Getting the holeshot made life easier, and it is really confidence-boosting that I have already done that a couple of times on my Honda CRF450RW. Then I rode a consistent race and just kept the momentum and finished second. It was good to see that my sand riding is still strong and now I’ll have the red-plate for tomorrow which is always nice to have.
A good solid race on what was a tricky track. Getting the holeshot made life easier, and it is really confidence-boosting that I have already done that a couple of times on my Honda CRF450RW. Then I rode a consistent race and just kept the momentum and finished second. It was good to see that my sand riding is still strong and now I’ll have the red-plate for tomorrow which is always nice to have.
Felt good all day, posting the fastest times in free practice and timed practice, which meant I had inside gate-pick for the qualifying race. Didn’t make it more than 100 metres and hit the inside bank and got ejected. Picked my bike up dead last and just tried to pass as many guys as I could, managing to get all the way up to 11th. Frustrating to not score a point, but at least my speed was good. Just need to avoid that tomorrow and hopefully I’ll be back at the front of the field again.
Felt good all day, posting the fastest times in free practice and timed practice, which meant I had inside gate-pick for the qualifying race. Didn’t make it more than 100 metres and hit the inside bank and got ejected. Picked my bike up dead last and just tried to pass as many guys as I could, managing to get all the way up to 11th. Frustrating to not score a point, but at least my speed was good. Just need to avoid that tomorrow and hopefully I’ll be back at the front of the field again.
Not really satisfied with the day at all. I just never really could match the speed of the front guys and that isn’t something I’m happy with. We are all working hard to try and make it happen, but right now, I have to put my head down and figure it out.
Not really satisfied with the day at all. I just never really could match the speed of the front guys and that isn’t something I’m happy with. We are all working hard to try and make it happen, but right now, I have to put my head down and figure it out.
Tough day for three of our riders as Ruben, Valerio and Jeffrey weren’t able to score the points they wanted in today’s qualifying races. Jeffrey fought back really well from last to come 11th, but he obviously wants to score good points every race. Ruben hasn’t been feeling great and had a crash when fighting for points, so that has been tough and Valerio just hasn’t found the flow on this tricky new track here in Andalucia. However, Tom rode really well for his second place and now leads the championship, which is great for him and the team and with another holeshot today, showing the power of the Honda CRF450RW. Tomorrow is a new day, but we’ll be trying extra hard to get all our riders near the front of the field in the two motos.
Tough day for three of our riders as Ruben, Valerio and Jeffrey weren’t able to score the points they wanted in today’s qualifying races. Jeffrey fought back really well from last to come 11th, but he obviously wants to score good points every race. Ruben hasn’t been feeling great and had a crash when fighting for points, so that has been tough and Valerio just hasn’t found the flow on this tricky new track here in Andalucia. However, Tom rode really well for his second place and now leads the championship, which is great for him and the team and with another holeshot today, showing the power of the Honda CRF450RW. Tomorrow is a new day, but we’ll be trying extra hard to get all our riders near the front of the field in the two motos.
