Christophe Pourcel claimed in Fermo (Italy) his second MX1 GP podium since his comeback in Europe, and proved with a third heat win that he’s always one of the fastest rider of this class.
Christophe Pourcel was again in electrifying form for this final round of the World Championship as he took a moto victory for the third consecutive GP after England and Germany. With heavy track watering necessary to combat the boiling sun the team had made suspension changes to Pourcel's bike on Sunday morning, but the track did not develop as they had expected and the sensitive Frenchman did not feel able to push to his limits. Although as high as fifth at one stage, he eventually crossed the line eighth and the team sought a new solution for race two which proved to be absolutely right. Pourcel shot quickly into the lead and, although he surrendered first place briefly midway through the moto, he soon regained the lead and raced away for a clearcut victory to secure second on the day.
Christophe Pourcel: “On Saturday during the qualification race I had a pretty good start, but then I went a little bit wide in a corner after the downhill; my back wheel went outside the bump and the bike slid out. I crashed and, although I recovered to eleventh, I was afraid that might not be so good for the races. However my Kawasaki still got me to the first turn with the leaders in both motos. Usually I can find the good lines right away but in the first race I couldn’t find any ! We made a lot of changes on the bike this morning and I didn’t feel comfortable so the only thing I could do was to finish the race and do my job. We changed the suspensions settings for the second moto; we put the same as for Gaildorf last week and the bike was so good ! We must keep working at it; we have only been together for a few weeks but the team is working hard and it’s going better and better.”
Jean Jacques Luisetti: “The first race was pretty tough for Christophe, who didn’t had a good feeling with the bike and the track. There were (too) many jumps on this track and we didn’t work in the best direction with the settings, but when we offered to Christophe another option for the second race he shows everyone what he’s able to do! We’re still learning working with him but he’s a fantastic rider, and I hope that we’ll find the financial support to keep him here next season. We still don’t know if the Federation will call him for the Nations, but the team will be there in St Jean d’Angely to met the Pro Circuit riders with Tommy on a 450, US lites champion Dean Wilson, Tyla Rattray and Blake Baggett.”
MX2 - Double podium for the team in Italy
Tommy Searle of Kawasaki Team CLS was top scorer for the second consecutive weekend as the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship came to an end at the hillside Fermo track in central Italy, and was alongside his team mate Max Anstie on the podium for the first time this season.
The Englishman was already assured of third place in the championship but, like many other riders, was determined to end the season in style as they lined up in stifling heat for the two races at the picturesque hillside circuit only a few miles the Adriatic. Getting one of his best starts of the season Searle immediately attacked early leader Jeffrey Herlings in race one and built up a huge lead even before the two rivals had to fight their way through lapped riders; such was their pace that at the finish even the rider in eleventh place was lapped ! Tommy's start was even better in race two as he led the pack away, but he was unable to shake off the attentions of Herlings and offered only token resistance when the Dutch teenager attacked so that he study where his rival was gaining time. Searle expected his fitness to be the deciding factor in the heat as the race entered the closing laps, but a single minor error was enough for Herlings to break clear and Tommy had to settle for a share of the top points on the day with the rider he expects to be his main rival for the world title next year.
Searle was joined on the podium in Italy by teammate Max Anstie. The teenager had missed the podium by just one place on six occasions this summer and was determined to finally collect his first GP trophy. Max's determined approach during the early laps quickly saw him take over fourth place in each race, but the field had quickly spread out in race one and Anstie was unable to close down the rider in third. Determined to make amends in race two he was up to fourth place in race two before he ran off the track into the fencing and had to charge again from ninth place. He showed great spirit to again cross the line in fourth place, and, as he had decisively beaten the riders who had finished third in each of the motos in the alternate race, he was rewarded with third place overall on the day. The result also cemented his fifth place in the championship standings in this, his rookie season.
Tommy Searle: “My first race was good; Jeffrey (Herlings) was fast at the beginning of the race, but I had a couple of good laps and increased my lead to fifteen seconds. After that I think he slowed down to conserve some energy, so I did the same as we both knew the second race would be tough with the heat. The second moto I got a good start, my second holeshot this season, and I was happy with that. Jeffrey was behind me and he clearly had some good lines; I knew he was fast in some places, so, when he passed me just before the finish line, I tried to follow him but he put in some fast laps and made a gap. I also put in a couple of good laps to catch him up again but I couldn’t pass him; then I made a small mistake and fell on the ground. We were both pushing really hard after that, and it was not possible to close the gap as he was fast right until the end. For me it doesn’t make a big difference to win this GP or not; I had a good feeling on the bike and I’m really happy with the way I rode this weekend. That’s the main thing as I know that I can win, and we’ll have some nice races next season with Jeffrey. I know what we have to work on this winter. We have already been working on the start; we spoke with (Pro Circuit owner) Mitch (Payton) and he knows what we have to do. Mitch really wants to win the championship and I think our bike will be even better next season.”
Max Anstie: “After finishing fourth in six GPs this year I was really determined to end the season with my first podium, and I did just that. The entire weekend was nice; the weather was lovely, just like at my house in America, and I love Italy, the fans, the food, the pasta ! I think this track was one of the best of the year, and on Saturday I had a really good qualification race so it was great to have a good starting position. I’ve been working hard on my starts and it paid off this weekend. I was fourth in the second race when I went off the track into the fence; it was tough but I came back from ninth to fourth again to get this podium overall ! I want to thank Monster, Pro Circuit, Kawasaki, CLS and all this guys who worked hard for this. I’ve learned so much this year with different people, countries, tracks and I can’t wait to be back next season.”
Jean Jacques Luisetti: “It was really great to see both Tommy and Max on the podium for the first time this season, and of course we’re delighted. I think that Tommy could have won without this small mistake in race two, I’m sure that next year we’ll have nice battles between Tommy and Herlings who will be for sure our main contender for the title. Tommy was fast and strong today, as always, and I’m glad to have him with us next season. Max did also strong races to capture his first ever GP podium, what a nice feeling to have both of them together. I’d like to congratulate our technical staff who didn’t do any mistake this season; we didn’t had any problems during the 15 rounds of the series, and they’re always working in a good atmosphere.”
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