Searle and Pourcel win in Brazil

Heavy rain, but it did not stop the thousands of motocross fans to come to the track to cheer the best motocross riders in the world. Christophe Pourcel and Tommy Searle succeeded in putting two Kawasaki’s on the top of the podium, while Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings finished eighth and seventh respectively. The mud was one of the protagonists at Beto Carrero’s track due to the heavy rain, so the start was crucial for all the riders to fight for the top positions. The riders who managed to be the first ones to reach the first corner just needed to make their best not to make mistakes and ride safe until the end, and this is what actually Christophe Pourcel and Tommy Searle did; while Pourcel went 1-4, Searle dominated both MX2 heats. David Philippaerts and Kevin Strijbos completed the MX1 podium and Christophe Charlier and José Butrón obtained their maiden podium in the MX2 class.

MX2
Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Searle obtained his second Grand Prix victory of the season, he regained the second position of the championship and he is now 20 points behind Herlings. Searle had really good starts in both motos and he managed to take the lead and open a considerate gap with his pursuers. In the first race the British rider had to enter the pit lane because he crashed and lost his gloves, and when he was back in the track he was riding second, but he could easily catch Charlier and dominated the heat until the chequered flag.

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Charlier obtained his maiden MX2 podium this weekend in Beto Carrero and it was confirmed that his injury on his foot is completely healed. In the first turn of the first moto Charlier had to take out his goggles and block of mud hit his left eye, but the French young rider succeeded in finishing second. In the second heat, he had another good start, but he then made a mistake and went from second to seventh. In the end Charlier crossed the finish line fifth and obtained the second overall position.

It was also a very special day for KTM Diga Racing’s Butrón, as he completed the top three of the Honda Grand Prix of Brazil. Butrón was visibly moved to be on the podium and he actually admitted that it was like a dream come true; in fact, it was the first time that a Spanish rider was on an MX2 podium. In the first moto, the KTM Diga Racing rider finished eighth, but in the second one he took the holeshot and managed to lead the first two laps. Searle overtook the Spanish rider, but Butrón managed to keep the second position until the end.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Van Horebeek was fourth overall this weekend being tight in 35 points with Butrón. The Belgian rider is still a bit sick, but he managed to finish third in the first tough moto. In the second one, he did not have such a great start and when he recuperated some positions, he made a mistake and he was down to the tenth place. Van Horebeek did all his best and he was able to cross the finish line sixth.

Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Roelants completed the top five after finishing fifth and fourth in today’s races. The Belgian rider had a tough first race, moving from fifteenth up to fifth, but in the second one he rode a solid moto keeping the initial fourth position until the end.

Anstie had a really good start in the first race and crossed the finish line fourth, but in the second one he was only able to be seventh and he obtained an overall sixth position.

Herlings was just seventh this weekend after finishing 12th in the first heat and third in the second one. The leader of the MX2 series did not have really good starts in none of the motos and a crash in the first heat made him lose already many points.

Nicholls finished eighth, followed by Lupino and Kullas completed the top ten.

The best MX2 Brazilian rider was Müller in the 18th position, Amstrong was 20th and Vilardi 21st.

MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 44:31.410; ; 2. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:23.896; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:46.131; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +2:16.278; 5. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +2:22.232; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +2:29.302; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +2:34.943; 8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +2:47.345; 9. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +2:53.896; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), +3:24.769;

MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 43:42.838; 2. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:11.095; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:36.276; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:39.879; 5. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:15.554; 6. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +1:21.010; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +1:23.875; 8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), +1:28.353; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), +1:39.850; 10. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:53.530;

MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 50 points; 2. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 38 p.; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 35 p.; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 35 p.; 5. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 34 p.; 6. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 32 p.; 7. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 29 p.; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 23 p.; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), 23 p.;

MX2 Championship top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 223 points; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 203 p.; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 189 p.; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 152 p.; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 137 p.; 6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 128 p.; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 120 p.; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 107 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 103 p.; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Suzuki), 99 p.;

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 236 points; 2. Kawasaki, 226 p.; 3. Yamaha, 151 p.; 4. Honda, 141 p.; 5. Suzuki, 116 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 103 p.; 7. TM, 5 p.;

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MX1
CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Pourcel admitted that they had to change the clutch of his Kawasaki after the qualifying race and today he felt again really comfortable on his bike. The French rider did an incredible first race, imposing a really good rhythm and finally crossing the finish line with one minute and a half difference with second classified Philippaerts. In the second heat Pourcel took the holeshot and led the first laps, but his compatriot Boog overtook him right in the middle of the race. The CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider admitted that he made a couple of mistakes by the end of the heat and this is why he had to settle down for the fourth position. In any case, Pourcel managed to obtain the second victory of the season this weekend in Beto Carrero.

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Philippaerts was back on the podium this weekend thanks to his 2-6 result. The Italian admitted that he found the track really hard, but after having a good first moto, his goal in the second one was to ride safe and try to be on the rostrum, and this is what he finally accomplished.

The third step of the podium was for one of the most experienced MX1 riders in the paddock, Kevin Strijbos. The last time the Belgian rider was on the podium was back in 2007, so he was really satisfied with his performance this weekend. In the first race Strijbos crashed in the first corner, but he managed to finish fifth, and in the second moto the HM Plant KTM UK rider rode consistently in the fourth position and when there were two laps to go, Pourcel made a mistake and Stirjbos moved up to the third position.

Kawasaki Racing Team’s Paulin was fourth overall and he missed the podium in Beto Carrero being tight in points with Strijbos. The French rider did not have a good start in the first moto but he was able to move up some positions and crossed the finish line third. However, in the second moto he made a mistake and it took him a lot of time to put the bike up again and had to settle down with the fifth position.

Honda World Motocross’ Gonçalves completed the top five of the Honda Grand Prix of Brazil even struggling with a thumb and groin injury. It was a tough race for the Portuguese rider, but so far it has been the best result of this 2012 season. Gonçalves made an excellent start in the first heat and he rode second during the first two laps, but he then made a mistake and he was dropped down to fourth. Gonçalves was fourth in the first moto and in the second one he was only able to finish eighth.

Boog had a very tough first heat because after not having had a good start, his Kawasaki engine broke in the last laps of the race. In the second moto he did a better start and he managed to take the lead in lap six and he kept such position until the chequered flag. Boog was finally sixth overall, and he was especially happy because he succeeded in obtaining his first moto victory of his career in the FIM MX1 World Championship.

Desalle was once again unfortunate this weekend, because after riding really well in the second moto and finishing second, in the first one he crashed in the end of the heat while he was sixth and he could not start the bike again. Desalle finished seventh overall, tight in points with Boog.

Cairoli had a day to forget in Beto Carrero, in fact, the Italian admitted that it has been one of his worst Grand Prix of his career. In the first moto he started in the front, but he then made a mistake, struggled to go back to the top and crossed the finish line eighth. In the second heat, he did not have such a good start, he crashed again and he was only ninth, which gave him the overall eighth position.

Bobryshev finished ninth overall and he was a bit disappointed with his performance today. However, taking into account that he is still recovering from his thumb injury and his bronchitis, finishing in the top ten is a really good result for the Russian rider.

Simpson completed the top ten with his 7-12 result, and De Dycker finished right after the Brit. De Dycker was sixth in the first moto even making several mistakes, but in the second one he was only able to cross the finish line in the 13th position.

The best MX1 Brazilian rider was Balbi in the overall 19th position and his compatriot Garcia was twenty-first.

MX1 Race 1 top ten: 1. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 44:47.275; 2. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:29.145; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:43.349; 4. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +1:47.125; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +1:49.116; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +2:26.285; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +2:43.169; 8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +2:59.506; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), -1 lap(s); 10. Matiss Karro (LAT, KTM), -1 lap(s);

MX1 Race 2 top ten: 1. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 42:09.534; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:02.155; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:07.681; 4. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:32.074; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:43.134; 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:53.271; 7. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +1:02.910; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +1:03.333; 9. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +1:05.447; 10. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +1:26.338;

MX1 Overall top ten: 1. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 43 points; 2. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 37 p.; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 36 p.; 5. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 31 p.; 6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 30 p.; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 30 p.; 8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 23 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 23 p.;

MX1 Championship top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 203 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 179 p.; 3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 172 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 170 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 154 p.; 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 142 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 139 p.; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 129 p.; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 110 p.; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 107 p.;

MX1 Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki, 215 points; 2. KTM, 214 p.; 3. Suzuki, 189 p.; 4. Yamaha, 167 p.; 5. Honda, 147 p.; 6. TM, 12 p.;

CP377 - Christophe Pourcel

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QUALIFYING:

KTM dominate the qualifying heats in Beto Carrero
MX1: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cairoli started the day obtaining the best time lap of the pre-qualifying practice just some seconds before the session was finished. At the qualifying race, the Italian took the holeshot and he managed to keep the lead until the end. Cairoli admitted that he enjoyed racing today in Beto Carrero even if the track was a bit muddy as a consequence of the rain early in the morning.

Second of the qualifying race was Kawasaki Racing Team’s Paulin, who made a really good start, but he could not catch Cairoli and rode second from beginning to the end. However, his lap times were really good and he has high hopes for tomorrow.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Desalle did not start at the front with the top four riders, but he managed to catch Ferris, who was riding fourth, by the middle of the qualifying race and with two laps to go, the Belgian overtook Bobryshev and crossed the finish line third. Tomorrow, Desalle will have one of the best positions at the starting grid, so he might be able to fight for the overall victory tomorrow.

Honda World Motocross’ Bobryshev was back on the bike this morning, after having missed the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend due to some health problems. The Russian admitted that he is not 100% yet, but he was able to make a solid qualifying race, riding third most of the heat and crossing the finish line fourth.

The positive surprise of the MX1 qualifying race was the presence of Ice1Racing’s Ferris fighting for the top five positions of the heat. The Australian has been recovering from an injury and after today’s performance he seems to be fully fit to be one of the MX1 riders to take into account to finish at the top five positions. Today, he had an excellent start and he rode fourth during the first half of the heat, but he could not keep Desalle behind him and Ferris crossed the finish line in the fifth position.

Philippaerts, who made a mistake in one of table tops of the track during the qualifying race, finished sixth and he was followed by Barragán, who has made one of the best qualifying heats of the season. De Dycker made a mistake in the opening lap, but he moved from an initial fourteenth position up to the finial eighth place.

Boog did an incredible pre-qualifying heat and he obtained the best second time lap, but the French did not have a good start and he had to settle down with the ninth position. Gonçalves, who admitted that he had some problems with the tear-offs of his goggles during the heat, is still struggling with a painful thumb and groin injuries. The Portuguese managed to ride eighth during most of the first half of the qualifying race, but he finally crossed the finish line tenth.

Christophe Pourcel was only twentieth at today’s qualifying race, but he will have a second chance tomorrow to show his real potential to the Brazilian fans during the main event.

However, the bad news comes on the side of Frossard, who was not able to take part in the heat due to the heavy pain he is suffering in his right knee. The French rider will not take part in tomorrow’s races and he will try it again in two weeks time in Saint Jean d’Angely during his home Grand Prix.

Balbi was the best Brazilian of the MX1 qualifying race finishing nineteenth, followed by his compatriot Ramos. Garcia was only able to finish twenty-second.

MX1 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 25:26.628; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:08.686; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:15.269; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:19.743; 5. Dean Ferris (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:34.051; 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:36.228; 7. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), +0:37.878; 8. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:39.581; 9. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:41.773; 10. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:44.466;

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MX2: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Herlings won his second qualifying race today with superb authority. The Dutch young rider was also the fastest in today’s pre-qualifying session and he actually crossed the finish line of the qualifying race with 25 seconds advantage over Searle, who was second. Herlings is now looking forward to taking part in tomorrow’s heats and increase his leadership over his pursuers.

The second position of the MX2 qualifying race was for Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Searle, who rode a solid moto keeping the second position from beginning to end. The British rider crossed the finish line quite behind Herlings, but he is confident for tomorrow’s races.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Van Horebeek did also a consistent race and he kept his initial third position until the chequered flag. The Belgian rode really comfortably in the third position without making mistakes and saving the energies for tomorrow’s races, where he will try to be again on the podium and keep the second position of the championship.

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Charlier proved once more that he is fully fit from his foot injury as he managed to finish fourth in the MX2 qualifying race. The French rider will have a really good starting position tomorrow for the main races, so he will have the change to show his talent on his Yamaha machine.

KTM Diga Racing’s Butrón did also a really good qualifying race and he crossed the finish line in the fifth position. The Spanish rider has admitted that he is feeling really comfortable with the new settings of the bike and he is willing to finish again in the top five after tomorrow’s races.

Nicholls and Petrov were sixth and seventh respectively and Guillod obtained one of his best results of the season finishing eighth in the qualifying race, after having started from an initial fourth position. Anstie was ninth and Coldenhoff completed the top ten.

Tixier and Roelants made a mistake in the qualifying race and finished twelfth and fourteenth respectively.
The best-qualified Brazilian rider was Hector Assunçao in the seventeenth position.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 25:04.788; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:25.795; 3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:42.730; 4. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:59.843; 5. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:05.913; 6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:23.203; 7. Petar Petrov (BUL, Suzuki), +1:29.492; 8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +1:35.827; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), +1:36.790; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +1:37.966;