MXGP OF ITALY 2015

GP9: Maggiora

Red plate in the European 125 for Maxime Renaux

Young Frenchman Maxime Renaux won the sixth round of the European 125 series in Maggiora (Italy) and claimed the red plate, as he is the new leader of the series with two rounds to go. The Italian round of the FIM Motocross World Championship was a tough one, due difficult track conditions after multiple rainy periods.

Third in the first race on Saturday, Renaux had to wait thirty hours before riding again.  The second heat was postponed after the MXGP and MX2 races ran late on Sunday evening. The track was rougher than ever, but the determinate Frenchman, who turned fifteen a month ago, pushed to win the race and theoverall classification. "It was a very difficult track with many bumps and lines by the end of the day. It was slippery! Some riders crashed in some lines and it was hard to get by. I had great starts today and I'm really happy with this result, and delighted to get the red plate back. Now, I will move to Belgium to prepare for the next rounds of the series, which will take place in the Benelux," he added.

In the MXGP class Clement Desalle tried to race with his knee and shoulder injuries from France, but stopped after the practice session. “I came to try and actually my shoulder is OK. It is not 100% but it would have been all right to ride…but I’m not comfortable with my knee. I’m following my doctor’s advice because he said if I feel good and comfortable then I should ride but if not, then it’s better to rest, as  I could make it worse. Honestly, to fight to be 16th or 18th is not so good. It is a hard decision but it is like this. My personal goal will be for next year and the future,” said a disappointed Clement. With two strong races in the top six, Shaun Simpson continues his series of strong results and is currently seventh in the standings, the best ‘non factory’ rider.

Second of the opening MX2 race Jordi Tixier was expecting a sixth consecutive podium, but a crash at the start of the second race ruined his chances. Coming back to fourteenth, but crashing hard after a few laps, the current World Champion had to do a pit stop to repair his bike and lost too much time to score points. Brent Van Doninck was the best of the SCOTT athletes, with a fifth overall after two strong rides (fifth and seventh positions) to get his best GP result, ever. "This result comes as a great surprise for me and I'm really pleased with it. One week ago it was still unclear if I would race here and in the week I hurt my knee again, so I had no expectations. In both races I had a good start and managed to stay out of trouble in the first laps. I got into fifth pretty quick and felt good on the difficult track. In the second one I was closing in on Benoit but when I tried another line to pass him, I got stuck in a rut and hurt my knee again. In the end I managed to finish well and score my best result so far. This gives me a lot of confidence and I'm so happy. This week I won't ride with the bike to let the knee rest and be better again for Germany."

Next Grand Prix will take place in Teutschenthal (Germany) on June 20-21.

Results MXGP.
1.Febvre (FRA, Yamaha)
2.Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki)
3.Waters (AUS, Husqvarna)
6.Simpson (GBR, KTM), Scott Athlete

MXGP World standings:
1.Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), 360
2.Cairoli, 330
3.Febvre, 322
3.Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 291
7.Simpson, 200

Results MX2.
1.Gajser (SLO, Honda)
2.Herlings (PB, KTM)
3.Seewer (SUI, Suzuki)
5.Van Doninck (BEL, Yamaha), Scott Athlete
7.Lieber (BEL, Yamaha), Scott Athlete
8.Petrov (BUL, Kawasaki) Scott Athlete
12.Tixier (FRA, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

MX2 World Standings
1.Herlings, 398
2.Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), 259
3.Jonass (LET, KTM), 259
6.Tixier, 251
9.Lieber, 209
10.Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 205
11.Petrov, 176
13.Covington (FRA, Kawasaki), 141