The 2007 Motocross World Championship kicked off this weekend in the Netherlands on the sandy track of Valkenswaard. Returning to the calendar this venue has always been demanding, and once more the races were pretty tough for this first round of fifteen. Winner of his qualifying race on Saturday, Christophe Pourcel was impressive and proved that he was fit despite a lack of preparation due to the leg injury sustained in the USA.
The race conditions were different on Sunday, as the track became rougher with some deep ruts. Christophe missed a good start in the opening race and rounded the first lap in sixth, losing three places a few circulations later when Gundersen, Rattray and then home rider Eggens passed him. He finished seventh, and came to the second heat aiming for better. He gained the holeshot and led the race for several laps, but crashed on the seventh! Cairoli and Searle passed him, and three laps later he collided with Searle on a jump and fell again but kept the third position. Fourth overall, he had a better start in Valkenswaard than one year ago in Zolder where he finished fifth.
Qualifying in tenth position, Gregory Aranda made a strong grand prix and battled in both races to score points. Finishing twenty-first in the first heat, he scored a point in the second despite a crash in the third lap.
Ninth in the MX1 qualifying session, Sébastien Pourcel never found a good rhythm in the first race but was tenth when he crashed and lost three places. He was again thirteenth in the next moto when he made a mistake and took some green fencing in his rear wheel, lost his rear brake as a consequence and finally retired.
Christophe Pourcel‘I’m pretty happy with my results, and without crashing in the second heat it would have been better. In the first moto I never found good lines and decided to make a safe race and secure seventh place. This race was similar to Lierop last year and I got a good start in the next moto. I was leading when I was surprised by my suspension on a bumpy section. I crashed and damaged the bike. I broke the pipe and was then third behind Searle, but on a jump we crossed our lines and crashed together. I was scared to get an injury here. In fact I rode carefully in the first race and took more risks in the second one. I’m fourth in the championship and that’s not so bad even if I think that I have the speed to be alongside Antonio who won today. I will be able to start my physical training soon, and that will help for sure’.
Sébastien Pourcel‘I had a good qualifying session on Saturday and my goal was a top ten result for my first MX1 grand prix. I didn’t take a good rhythm in the first heat and lost time when I crashed in a corner after the pits. My start was similar in the second race but I felt stronger. Unfortunately I made a small mistake and got green fencing in my rear wheel, I had to stop and take it out but the brake was damaged and it was impossible to continue. It could have been a better weekend, but I’m not too disappointed.’
Gregory Aranda ‘I got my best grand prix result on a sandy track and that’s encouraging for me. I had a good qualifying race, my start was not so good but I came back to tenth. I had a similar start in the first race and battled for the points but missed the last one! I was stronger at the next start but I crashed in a tight corner and lost time. I then pushed and made some strong laps to secure my first point of the season.’
Patrick Geladé‘Our goal today was to score a top five result for Christophe as he hadn’t had much time to train and test the bike due to his injury. He proved to us in the second race that he remembers how to get a holeshot, and that he already has a good speed. It’s reassuring, in terms of the bike, the engine and the suspension as it was the first time he raced against his rivals. The other good news for us is that Gregory is now able to take a good rhythm for forty minutes, especially in the second race. He worked hard on his physical shape this winter and now I’m sure that he will be more confident and less stressed for the following GPs. Sébastien was expecting a top ten result. This track was not the easiest one for his first GP on a 450 but he was twice in the first pack. He was unlucky in the second race after a bad start, but he pushed and did a small mistake going for the top ten. I’m sure that he will be stronger in Spain.’
Roger Pourcel
‘Christophe secured points in the first race, as is his way when he is not at his best. He tried to go faster for two laps but made a couple of mistakes, and from then didn’t take any risks. The second moto was better but he committed a mistake and crashed. I’m sure that if he could have trained normally to prepare for this season that wouldn’t have happened! The bike was damaged but he didn’t give up and scored a third place; a good result in these conditions. Greg worked seriously this winter and he improved a lot, I’m sure that he is strong enough to soon score a top fifteen result. Thirteenth for a first attempt with the 450 in the sand was a good result for Seb but a small mistake in the next race destroyed his race. Overall it was a good weekend for us, we know what we have to do for the following races.’
Related Links
www.kawasaki-racingteam.com
Related News
