MOTOCROSS MXGP OF EUROPE 2015

GP5: Europe

Five podiums in a row for Desalle

So far the 2015 season has been pretty good for Clement Desalle, who just secured his fifth MXGP podium in a row at Valkenswaard (Netherlands). In the MX2 class Jordi Tixier got his second consecutive podium, and confirmed that he is back in top shape.

We’re only at the fifth of eighteen rounds of the series, and many riders are already struggling, Jeremy Van Horebeek (foot), Ryan Villopoto (back), Kevin Strijbos (hand) just to name a few were all missing behind the gate at the GP of Europe. The season will be long, and Clement Desalle had another strong ride to secure a podium after a crash in qualification. “Being on the podium today is OK. I was disappointed about my crash yesterday. I knew it would be a difficult weekend so I am proud of this podium and it feels like quite a while since I had one in the sand. It gives me some confidence and shows that my condition is good. It is really important to be on the podium every week and it keeps you high in the standings. The year is still young and now we are coming up to some really good tracks and I hope we will have some good racing,” said the Belgian rider, who lost the red plate but is only five points behind new series leader Max Nagl. Gautier Paulin won this GP, and Antonio Cairoli finished only eleventh after being injured (hand) in a crash during the first race.

Dutch rider Jeffrey Herlings collected his sixth consecutive win in Valkenswaard, winning both motos. Runner up was Jordi Tixier, who moves his factory Kawasaki in second position. “It’s great to have a second podium in a row after Italy last weekend. I’m back and happy to be there of course after a tough first part of season. My starts were both pretty good this weekend, and I was able to race for the podium in both races. In the second moto I lost some engine power during the last ten minutes so I had no chance to fight with Tonkov for the second position, but my confidence is back and a big thanks to the work of the team; I’m very pleased with our set-up so I hope these two podiums are just the beginning of a long series,” said the Frenchman. Teammate Dylan Ferrandis missed an overall podium as he was penalised by the officials after the second heat, losing ten positions and twelve points in the series.
Next Grand Prix will take place in Talavera de la Reina (Spain) on May 10th.

Results MXGP.

1.Paulin (FRA, Honda)

2.Nagl (ALL, Husqvarna)

3.Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), Scott Athlete

5.Simpson (GBR, KTM), Scott Athlete

MXGP World standings:
 

1.Nagl, 214

2.Desalle, 209

3.Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 184

8.Simpson, 98

Results MX2.

1.Herlings (PB, KTM)

2.Tixier (FRA, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

3.Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna)

7.Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

8.Van Doninck (BEL, Yamaha), Scott Athlete

11.Lieber (BEL, Yamaha), Scott Athlete

13.Covington (USA, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

MX2 World Standings

1.Herlings, 222

2.Ferrandis, 185

3.Jonass (LET, KTM), 148

8.Lieber, 121

9.Tixier, 115

10.Covington, 102

17.Van Doninck, 56