Valkenswaard Report - Monster Energy Yamaha - MX1
Wednesday 27 April: Steven Frossard leads the World Championship after a heroic Dutch GP.
Monster Energy Yamaha's
Steven Frossard somehow buried the pain of a
strained collarbone ligament at a sunny Valkenswaard to finish fourth
overall and lift the red plate as leader of the MX1-GP FIM World
Championship. After only his second event on the works YZ450FM Frossard
classified behind team-mate
David Philippaerts the Italian scoring
third place and walking the podium for the first time since the
Brazilian GP last August but now leads the series by five points.
A fall while heading towards pole position on
Saturday left Frossard in pain come warm-up on the morning of race-day
and even in doubt as to his participation for the motos. 35,000 people
had taken advantage of the second round of fifteen in the FIM contest
occurring over the Easter holiday weekend. With some treatment and
strapping Frossard took to the start gate and benefitted from two bright
getaways to run among the leading group for both sprints. He disputed
the win with Tony Cairoli in Moto1 and finally took second and then was
two laps away from the final step of the podium in Moto2 except a slip
landing off the finish-line jump saw the 23 year old run into the fence.
Frossard passed the chequered flag in fifth place.
David Philippaerts was not sharp enough at the opening of Moto1 to be in
contention for the top three but nevertheless rode strongly to obtain
fourth. In Moto2 more intent from the first lap pushed the Italian into
the battle for the lead and his third position was enough for the
rostrum ceremony after Frossards late misfortune.
The third member of the Monster Energy triumvirate,
Anthony Boissiere, was 13th overall with 15th and 13th positions and was
not assisted by a first moto crash at the start.
In the formative championship standings Frossard is
the first Frenchman in six years to front the MX1 table. Philippaerts is
fifth and 22 points in arrears.
Monster Energy Yamaha will next grace the
international stage with back-to-back Grand Prix events in USA and
Brazil. The Americas phase of the championship will begin on May 15th
with the trip to Glen Helen in California.
David Philippaerts: "It was difficult here because the lines changed
every lap and it was possible to lose or make two-three seconds each
time. In the first moto I was too relaxed at the start of the race and
the others made a break. So in the second one I tried to push more in
the beginning and it was better. Im really happy for me to be back on
the podium. We have all worked a lot for results like this."
Steven Frossard:
"I'm really happy to get the red plate, especially
because after the crash yesterday I had a lot of pain in my collarbone
and it was difficult to ride; the warm-up was impossible this morning. I
spent time with my doctor and trainer and with some massage and
strapping I was ready to try the races. I had a really good start in the
first moto and it was quite easy to stay focussed after that. My goal
was to stay in fourth in the next heat and make the podium but my hand
slipped off the handlebar after a jump and I crashed. I could still
manage fifth and it feels great to have the red plate after a Grand Prix
in the sand. For me it was easier to ride the 450 here. I could play
with the bike and I felt really good on my race-bike today."
Anthony Boissiere: "Today was very difficult. I was not in the top ten
because in the first race I crashed in the second corner and it was hard
to come back. I was fifteenth and took thirteenth in the second moto
which was a bit better but I was tired in that one. The track was
really bumpy! I will try to be better for the GP in the USA."
Copy and photos courtesy of Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.