MOTOCROSS MXGP OF FRANCE 2017

GP9: FRANCE - Desalle and Jonass won in France

The French MXGP has been perfect for the Scott riders, as Clement Desalle and Pauls Jonass won the ninth round of the Motocross World Championship in front of a huge and enthusiast crowd. Pauls Jonass is still leading the MX2 series, as well as Chiara Fontanesi (WMX), Morgan Lesiardo (EMX 250) and Brian Moreau (EMX 125).

Missing the podium at the last rounds of the series, Clément Desalle took revenge this weekend to get his first MXGP win since Assen last year. The Belgian rider dominated the qualification on Saturday and won the GP with a fourth position and a win ahead of local hero Gautier Paulin. “It felt good yesterday already to win the qualification but it is even better to be back on the top of the podium. I'm so happy; I can't even remember the last time I won a moto before injuries interfered. I missed the start in the first moto and had to settle for fourth after I made a mistake, but I was soon in the lead in race two and could focus on my own riding. That was good for me and this win is good for me, the team and my family. Now my goal is to be consistent and to keep making good starts," said Clement who is now second in the standings as reigning champion Tim Gajser didn’t enter the event after his crash last week in Germany.

 The MX2 races were as always really intense and Pauls Jonass finally beats Benoit Paturel – strongly supported by the fans. AlsoJeremy Seewer got his fourth win this season and increased his leadership in the series. “I really enjoyed my riding in the first moto after taking the whole shot and pulling away in the first laps; I was able to control it. In the second race I was not riding that well and Benoit was just a bit better: it is also nice that he can win a moto in front of the home crowd. 1-2 is really good for the championship and I’m really happy because last weekend was also hard-pack and things have been pretty good. I’m glad to have the win in the pocket. The bike was working really good this weekend and now we’ll focus on being 100% for Russia,” said the Latvian rider. Australian Hunter Lawrence did another strong performance after Germany, scoring a fourth overall ahead of Julien Lieber and Jorge Prado.

Both Chiara Fontanesi (3rd in the Women World Championship), Morgan Lesiardo (5th in the European 250) who is now racing for the Kawasaki Racing Team and Brian Moreau (3rd in the European 125) were on the box this weekend, securing enough points to maintain their series lead. The next GP will take place in Russia in two weeks’ time.

Results MXGP.

1.Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

2.Cairoli (ITA, KTM)

3.Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna)

8.Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), Scott Athlete

MXGP World Championship Standings:

1.Cairoli, 347

2.Paulin, 297

3.Desalle, 289

4.Gajser (SLO, Honda), 261

11.Tonus, 172

Results MX2.

1.Jonass (LAT, KTM), Scott Athlete

2.Seewer (SUI, Suzuki)

3.Paturel (FRA, Yamaha)

4.Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), Scott Athlete

5.Lieber (BEL, KTM), Scott Athlete

6.Prado (SPA, KTM), Scott Athlete

MX2 World Championship Standings

1.Jonass, 372

2.Seewer, 330

3.Kjer Olsen (DAN, Husqvarna), 291

4.Lieber, 282

7.Prado, 206

9.Lawrence, 171

Results WMX.

1.Lancelot (FRA, Kawasaki)

2.Van de Ven (PB, Yamaha)

3.Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), Scott Athlete

WMX World Championship Standings

1.Fontanesi, 115

2.Lancelot, 114

3.Duncan (NZL, Yamaha), 108

Results European 125

1.Horgmo (NOR, KTM)

2.Facchetti (ITA, Husqvarna)

3.Moreau (FRA, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

European 125 Championship standings

1.Moreau, 128

2.Horgmo, 118

3.Fachetti, 100

Results European 250

1.Boisrame (FRA, Honda)

2.Geerts (BEL, KTM)

3.Forato (ITA, Honda)

5.Lesiardo (ITA, KTM), Scott Athlete

European 250 Championship standings

1.Lesiardo, 140

2.Geerts, 106