Regular venue for the Motocross GP’s, Brazil and his fans met in a great atmosphere the World Championship riders, who joined for the second year in a row the track of Beto Carrero near the southern cost. Looking like a great Supercross with grandstands all around the artificial track, this GP has been as successful as last year with 25000 noisy and passionate fans that faced the humidity and some rain during the weekend.

Fourth during both practice sessions on Saturday and a third on sunday’s morning warm up, Dylan had good expectations for the races. He got on Sunday an amazing start in the MX2 moto to initially hold third place, but a crash pushed him downfield before he put in a strong recovery back to sixth place, only to surrender two places late in the race after he was forced to discard his goggles due to big projections.

For the third and last time of the season the MX1 and MX2 raced together in the Superfinal and once more it was a disaster for the MX2 riders who were unable to compete on this layout with the powerful 450. Dylan was severely handicapped when another rider crashed in his path at the first corner, but despite this handicap he stormed back through the pack to finish seventh in class.

Dylan Ferrandis: “ On Saturday the track was nice to ride, but it was so flat that everyone was going fast and the qualifying race was boring; my start was not so good and I could only qualify fourteenth. In the MX2 race I got a great start and was third in the first corner, and was still fifth when I crashed. I recovered to sixth place again and battled with Tixier, Pocock and Butron until I had to take off my goggles and finished eighth. The start of the Superfinal was a disaster; Coldenhoff crashed and I got his handlebar in my rear wheel! I recovered from last place to ninth, but I was expecting more as I have the speed to be in the top five now. The track was rougher today after the rain, it was much better than on Saturday when they flat it so much that it was impossible to make the difference. I hope that I will have no more troubles at the next GP in France; I enjoyed the track of Ernée, last year at the French Elite I got some good results there and I have great expectations for this race.”

Ryan Sipes came to round 1 filling in for the injured Davi Millsaps for the 2013 MX season in the 450 class. Ryan was just racing a 250 two short weeks ago in Las Vegas. That means he had very little time to adapt and test on the larger bike. That is tough when racing at this level. Sipes exceeded all expectations anyone had for him given the circumstances. He simply rode amazing. Most impressive was his stamina. He came out on a very gnarly track with 200 more CC’s and was charging through the last lap. If round 1 is any indication, Sipes will be vying for top 5’s right away.

Ryan Sipes: “I thought it was a good weekend. I didn’t really know where I stood comin into this thing and I just wanted to come up here, be consistent, finish the motos strong and it worked out. Hangtown is one of my least favorite tracks but I just tried to grind it out and not slow down. 6th overall is the best I’ve ever done here so I’m alright with it.”

Unlike Jason Anderson’s teammates, he came in with nothing outside weighing on him but the pressure of being a podium guy. Jason’s results on paper, in no way tell the story of how great he really rode. In moto one he was involved in an incident that collected several riders. He came back from outside the top 30 to find himself cross the finish line in 12th. The second moto, he started out much better quickly moving into 3rd place. But then he unexpectedly began to move backwards. Turns out that was a result of the adversity that Jason came across on Saturday. He actually lost his rear brakes in both motos. On a track with massive braking bumps going down steep hills and high speed step-ups landing right into corners, what he did was beyond stellar. Anderson managed to salvage 7th overall by the end of the day and it is very clear that he really does harbor podium speed.

Jason Anderson: “Hangtown was alright. I lost my brakes. Got 12th in the first moto, 6th in the second moto, rode good but I’m a little frustrated. Going to come out swinging even harder next weekend in Colorado.”

Blake Wharton had been struggling with breathing throughout the entire Supercross season. After seeing a doctor it was discovered that he was suffering from a deviated septum. Not being able to pull oxygen in through your nose can cause multiple problems including muscle fatigue and arm pump. Blake had a surgery to repair this which will help him greatly as the season moves on but he was forced to stay off the bike for a while prior to the race. Round 2 will be much better for Wharton as he even made a substantial improvement from moto 1 to moto 2.

Blake Wharton: “Hangtown is always an interesting race. First round, takes me a while to get going sometimes it seems. I just back from my surgery on my septum. So it was good to ride my bike. I knew it would be tough in the first round after having some time off. The first moto was terrible for me to be honest. I had some issues for sure. The second moto I knew I could do better, and it was better. I ran up front for a while and I gotta race my way back into consistency. Gonna go into next round and try to improve.”

Nico Izzi had a weekend to forget. However, forgetting the weekend is exactly what Izzi needs to do. He spent a lot of time away from racing after having his knee surgically repaired. There is no amount of riding or training that can mimic actual racing. You can ride at a practice track every day for months, but nothing compares to lining up behind the gate with your toughest competitors. It will certainly take Nico a couple rounds to get the racing edge back and that is what was expected.

Nico Izzi: “First moto I felt ok for about 20 minutes. I had a minor tip over about halfway, I was in 8th when I did that. Got passed by a couple guys and went back to to 10th. Then I stalled the back and went back to 23rd. It kinda took a lot of energy out of me. The second moto I had about a 25th place start. I just need better starts and try to build up my intensity a bit. It’s the first race back and I just have to build.”

Rockstar Energy racing will head east of the Rocky Mountains next week to overcome the challenge of a track over a mile high above sea level in Lakewood, CO. Sipes will look to build on a successful round 1. Anderson will expect to find his way to a podium finish. Wharton and Izzi will try to improve on their performances getting back to form. The team will be joined by Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos of the Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 Team out of Belgium. The duo will be coming fresh off a double podium in Beto Carrero at the GP of Brazil and will try to do the same against the best in the US.

Jason Anderson http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-hangtown-motocross-photo-gallery-jason-anderson/

Nico Izzi http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-hangtown-motocross-photo-gallery-nico-izzi/

Ryan Sipes http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-hangtown-motocross-photo-gallery-ryan-sipes/

Nico Izzi http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-hangtown-motocross-photo-gallery-blake-
wharton/

450 Results

Ryan Villopoto 1-1
Ryan Dungey 2-2
James Stewart 3-3
Trey Canard 4-4
Justin Barcia 5-5
Ryan Sipes 8-7
Andrew Short 6-10
Mike Alessi 12-6
Tyla Rattray 9-9
Weston Peick 13-8
Phil Nicoletti 11-11
Broc Tickle 14-12
Jake Weimer 7-24
Dean Wilson 14-14
Chad Reed 10-38
Fredrik Noren 16-17
Travis Preston 15-18
Justin Brayton 33-13
Michael Byrne 19-16
Malcolm Stewart 36-15
Vince Friese 18-39
Nick Wey 21-19
Gareth Swanepoel 22-20
Josh Grant 20-27
Chris Blose 27-21
Les Smith 23-22
Derek Anderson 38-23
Robby Marshall 28-25
Nick Schmidt 39-26
Lowell Spangler 26-28
Heath Harrison 24-29
Dalton Carlson 29-30
Austin Howell 25-31
Dustin Pipes 32-32
Ryan Huffman 34-33
Kyle Partridge 31-34
Ty Keenom 35-35
Tevin Tapia 37-36
Travis Sewell 30-37
Chris Plouffe 40-40
450 Points

Ryan Villopoto 50
Ryan Dungey 44
James Stewart 40
Trey Canard 36
Justin Barcia 32
Ryan Sipes 27
Andrew Short 26
Mike Alessi 24
Tyla Rattray 24
Weston Peick 21
Phil Nicoletti 20
Broc Tickle 16
Jake Weimer 14
Chad Reed 11
Dean Wilson 11
Travis Preston 9
Fredrik Noren 9
Justin Brayton 8
Michael Byrne 7
Malcolm Stewart 6
Vince Friese 3
Nick Wey 2
Gareth Swanepoel 1
Josh Grant 1
250 Results

Ken Roczen 1-1
Blake Baggett 3-2
Eli Tomac 2-3
Marvin Musquin 4-4
Zach Osborne 9-5
Kyle Cunningham 8-7
Jason Anderson 12-6
Jeremy Martin 7-13
Joey Savatgy 10-11
Justin Hill 13-9
Cooper Webb 5-18
Justin Bogle 19-8
Blake Wharton 17-10
Darryn Durham 6-36
Cole Seely 14-14
Dillan Epstein 11-23
Martin Davalos 38-12
Jake Canada 16-17
Alex Martin 20-15
Zach Bell 15-35
Nico Izzi 22-16
Jessy Nelson 18-24
Brady Kiesel 26-19
Kellian Rusk 21-20
Jackson Richardson 29-21
Jacob Baumert 24-22
Zack Williams 28-25
Ryan Zimmer 32-26
Todd Krieg 31-27
Jason Potter 37-28
Justin Starling 35-29
Trevor Ivey 30-30
Lance Vincent 27-31
Josh Greco 33-32
Kevin Weisbruch 34-33
Tommy Weeck 23-34
Gared Steinke 25-37
Drew Gosselaar 40-38
Brandan Leith 36-39
Austin Ullrich 39-40
250 Points

Ken Roczen 50
Eli Tomac 42
Blake Baggett 42
Marvin Musquin 36
Zach Osborne 28
Kyle Cunningham 27
Jason Anderson 24
Jeremy Martin 22
Joey Savatgy 21
Justin Hill 20
Cooper Webb 19
Darryn Durham 15
Justin Bogle 15
Blake Wharton 15
Cole Seely 14
Dillan Epstein 10
Martin Davalos 9
Jake Canada 9
Alex Martin 7
Zach Bell 6
Nico Izzi 5
Jessy Nelson 3
Brady Kiesel 2
Kellian Rusk 1

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 riders Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos grabbed second and third positions overall on their RM-Z450s at an overcast Beto Carrero for round seven of 17 in the FIM Motocross World Championship in front of 45,000 spectators.

Cloudy, humid and rainy conditions affected the meeting at the impressive facility north of Florianopolis. Showers throughout the night and also light downpours during race day kept the red terrain slick and clumpy. The layout itself was a tight and twisty combination of jumps, waves and off-cambers where overtaking needed a considered move.

Desalle began the Grand Prix in good form and rode to a fast and easy second place on Saturday for the second choice of slots in the gate for the first MX1 moto. The last running of the Superfinal format for the season saw the Belgian take to the line according to his championship position, so that meant one rank lower and third spot.

The opening moto of the day saw Desalle – celebrating his 24th Birthday – chasing Max Nagl for second position. He was a constant threat behind the German and attacked hard in the final laps but was unable to relegate his rival and secured third place, although was not so content with his rhythm across the Brazilian surface. Desalle again got away positively in the Superfinal and endured a relatively lonely ride to third once more. His combined points total gave him the runner-up ranking for the Grand Prix behind Antonio Cairoli and ensured his fifth spray of champagne this season.

Strijbos maintained his positive run of results in Brazil: The Belgian took a modest and solitary sixth place in the first moto but his fiery start into the lead of the Superfinal was electric stuff. He fronted 16 of the 19 laps ahead of the best 20 MX1 and MX2 riders in the world and was just edged out from victory by Cairoli in the closing stages. His second position was still enough to ensure his second podium in Brazil (the first in 2012) and first in yellow since 2007.

Both riders will now head to the United States to contest the second and third races of the Lucas Oil Pro MX Championship at Thunder Valley at Lakewood, Colorado; and then Blountville in Tennessee the following Saturday before flying back to Europe.

The next Grand Prix appointment for the team will be in Ernee, France on June 8th-9th.

Clement Desalle:

“After the big crash in Portugal I couldn’t really train like I wanted in the week and I could feel it this weekend. It is really positive to get up here on the podium because my feeling was not that perfect on the track, especially in the second moto where the weather and conditions seemed to get to me a little bit. I had a good battle with Max in the first moto and sometimes it was a bit frustrating. I had a small problem with my goggles and lost a second-and-a-half at one point but was able to fight back. We were together the whole race. I felt that the track was short for a 450. It was not that tricky because the speed wasn’t so high but there were a lot of jumps and waves and other stuff. The ground was good and I could control the power of the bike with plenty of traction so that was a positive thing. I think the track would be better if there were some simpler sections. We go to America now and this will be a different kind of training and hopefully a good experience.”

Kevin Strijbos:

“I felt really good out there, especially in the second moto! We had a good weekend in terms of getting the set-up right and we made the right choice with my rear shock and then made another change for the second moto. I enjoyed that holeshot and I pushed really hard in the beginning because I knew I would need a gap over Tony when I saw he was in second place. Later on he came closer and closer and I got a bit tired, Tony passed me in a corner and I couldn’t really follow him and he made the gap quickly with just two laps to go. In the end I’m really happy to be on the podium again and to take the first one of the season. We worked really hard in the winter and I hope there will be more trophies ahead!”

MX1 Moto1: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 39:15.493; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:03.017; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:04.748; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:24.442; 5. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:30.333; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:36.445; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Honda), +0:46.472; 8. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:49.004; 9. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:50.898; 10. Joel Roelants (BEL, Yamaha), +0:53.195.

Superfinal classification: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:49.230; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:02.830; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:25.606; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:31.078; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:41.121; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:44.766; 7. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), +0:45.861; 8. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:50.619; 9. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:03.885; 10. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:09.255.

MX1 Overall result: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 40 p.; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 37 p.; 4. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), 37 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 36 p.; 6. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 29 p.; 7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 25 p.; 9. Joel Roelants (BEL, Yamaha), 20 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, TM), 19 p.

MX1 World Championship Standings (after 7 of 17 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 330 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 278 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 267 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 245 p.; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 220 p.; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 205 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), 169 p.; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 148 p.; 9. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 138 p.; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Honda), 130 p.

The Grand Prix of Brazil at the impressive stadium setting of Beto Carrero saw Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Max Anstie ride to 11th position overall in cool and rainy conditions in front of 45,000 spectators.

The seventh round of 17 in the FIM Motocross World Championship represented the last overseas trip for the series and the last airing of the Superfinal format that mixed the top 20 MX1 and MX2 riders together for the second moto.

Anstie flew to Brazil after a week training and riding at his ranch in Hemet, California and was determined to take his factory-backed RM-Z250 as close to the podium as possible around the compact and twisty red terrain. The layout did not facilitate easy overtaking and occasional showers kept the ground slick and then tacky in places.

In the opening MX2 race Anstie struggled to get an effective rhythm and also find the urgency he needed around the course, and this set the tone for a tough day of work. The Brit rode to 14th and then managed to squeeze inside the top 20 of the Superfinal.

The team now has a respite from international and national race duty. The Grand Prix of France at Ernee on June 9th will be followed directly by the round in Italy and at the mythical Maggiora circuit.

Max Anstie:

“It was a difficult weekend and we struggled. I think we had a good setting and set-up and I came into the weekend with good form but I didn’t have the power to push. I wasn’t tired but just not ‘firing’. We go back to the States for a week and I have some time to sort everything out before coming back to Europe and focus 100% for France. I felt more normal in the Superfinal because I was able to pass guys but still we have problems with the starts and we have worked on a few things but it is at the point now where I’m not sure how much practice we can do! We have all been working really hard and it is time now to sit back in the next three weeks and then let the results come. We just need a little bit of luck on our side.”

*Other global Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe News: Romanian Crisztian Tompa won the fourth round of the European 85cc series on home turf in Zarnesti on his RM85.

MX2 Moto1: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 40:08.386; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:11.680; 3. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:16.551; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:23.711; 5. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), +0:30.415; 6. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:32.337; 7. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), +0:37.039; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:42.374; 9. Alexander Tonkov (RUS, Honda), +0:44.771; 10. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +0:47.844. 14. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +1:21.423.

Superfinal classification: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:49.230; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:02.830; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:25.606; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:31.078; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:41.121; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:44.766; 7. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), +0:45.861; 8. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:50.619; 9. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:03.885; 10. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:09.255; 11. Shaun Simpson (GBR, TM), +1:19.992; 12. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +1:22.240; 13. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +1:23.261; 14. Joel Roelants (BEL, Yamaha), +1:26.011; 15. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:28.973; 16. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:34.001; 17. Davide Guarneri (ITA, KTM), +1:43.495; 18. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), +1:44.522; 19. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +1:44.590; 20. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +2:00.261.

MX2 Overall result: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 47 points; 2. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 31 p.; 5. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 30 p.; 6. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 27 p.; 7. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), 26 p.; 8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), 25 p.; 9. Alexander Tonkov (RUS, Honda), 25 p.; 10. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 25 p.; 11. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 22 p.

MX2 World Championship Standings (after 7 of 17 rounds): 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 347 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 257 p.; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 218 p.; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 214 p.; 5. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 198 p.; 6. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 182 p.; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 172 p.; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 150 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), 148 p.; 10. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), 138 p.

Nobody was able to ride with the Bud riders this weekend, as Dylan and Greg didn’t let anything to their rivals. Best lap time during the practice session, holeshot and all the heat wins were for Greg and Dylan in Saint Jean d’Angely!

Fastest rider in the timed practice period, Dylan Ferrandis had a quiet MX2 race. He grabbed the holeshot and then controls Benoit Paturel, taking even more advantage when they joined the lapped riders to win the heat twenty seconds ahead his rival. Very confident before the super final he had some strong moves after the start to come in fourth place; he passed Paturel for third, and then reduced the gap with Fabien Izoird on a 450. He passed him after mid race to finish runner up behind Aranda and best MX2 rider.

Back to his best form and pole position in the MX1 class, Gregory Aranda had dreaming starts in both races, MX1 heat and super final. Leading the race in the first corner Greg posted some fast laps to secure his leadership; in the MX1 race Soubeyras who was second crashed, so Greg could save some energy for the super final; once more leader in the first corner he had no opposition in this race and scored his first double win this season. A great reward after his injuries earlier this season, and an encouraging performance for the coming Euro Supercross season.

Dylan Ferrandis: “My goal this weekend was to get a top 3 and score as many points as possible and after my MX2 win I had a great super final. I was next to Aranda on the grid and I came fourth in the first corner, but there was some confusion in the first uphill and I lost some positions. I came back second behind Greg, that’s a great result on the track against the 450. I keep the red plate and now the goal is to have it after the last round in three weeks, in Gaillac. It’s great for the mental to score such good results after my disappointment in second moto in Portugal, it’s a boost for the World Championship and I hope that we’ll have good racing conditions in Brazil next week-end.”

Gregory Aranda: “ It’s a perfect day for me with the pole position, two holeshot and two heat wins. I think that I’m back to the level I had last year, and I will continue to train and work to get even more. I didn’t take any risks today, for sure when you get two holeshot it’s easier; in the first race I had some arm pump, and in the second one I didn’t want to crash as I wanted to win both heats. It’s great to win after such a difficult period; I didn’t know what to expect after the last injury, and I had to work hard to be back; two weeks after my injury I had only one goal, to be back on my bike and I want to thank team Rockstar Bud Kawasaki and my mechanic for their support.”

Agueda has always been a demanding track, and for the first time since Thailand the riders had to face ‘hot temperatures’ with 25°C in Portugal. The ground was rough and slippery on Saturday, and was more wet on Sunday as the organisers watered the track during the night.

Now a top ten regular after a difficult start to the season as he recovered from injuries operation this winter, Dylan Ferrandis recorded his best result of the season to date when he crossed the finishing line in fifth place at the end of the first tough race around the demanding track in the hills 30 kilometres from the Atlantic coastline. A repeat or better performance was expected in the second race as the teenager charged through the field and was in fifth position again during the opening lap, but a wayward rival caused a collision, the impact snapping the chain of Ferrandis’ machine to eliminate him from the race.

Deprived of the services of Valentin Teillet for the remainder of the series after specialists discovered more serious damage in his shoulder than had previously been diagnosed, Rockstar Bud Racing Kawasaki drafted in young Frenchman Jason Clermont for the weekend. Coming back to the GP’s, the former 85cc European Champion who was racing the MX1 class in France tested the bike a few days before the event; he responded admirably to the team’s expectations with points-scoring rides to nineteenth and fifteenth.

Dylan Ferrandis: “ I had a good feeling with this track right from the first practice session, and I qualified in fifth place. My start in the first race was great; I raced top six all race to finish fifth, even though I had some discomfort from pumped-up forearms as it’s the first the this season that I have been racing at the front of the pack. My second start was not as good but I made a lot of good passes on the first lap and had just passed Charlier before he jumped on my bike and my chain was broken with the impact. It’s frustrating, but I’ve no more physical problems and feel that I’m improving and I will soon be battling for podium results.”

Jason Clermont: “I only tested the bike a few hours before coming here, and it was great to come back to the GPs on a good 250. I had good lap times in the races, but I need to improve my starts, to be faster in the corners and be more aggressive during the first few laps to get better results. I came from a long way back in both races to score points each time, and this was a demanding track to race for my return to the GPs.”

There were contrasting fortunes for Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe at Agueda for the Grand Prix of Portugal and across the continent in other competitions today.

Under hot sunshine for the sixth round of 17 in the FIM Motocross World Championship Max Anstie classified 10th overall on the factory-backed RM-Z250 while Jeremy Seewer was able to kick off his European EMX250 campaign – the feeder series to the MX2 class – with a podium result and third place.

Agueda, with 15,000 spectators through the weekend, was a bumpy, rutty and very rough prospect that was a challenge both physically and mentally through the limited overtaking chances away from a faster single line. Anstie was hampered by mediocre starts in his motos: The Brit had earlier showed good pace around the undulations with top three lap-times in the practice sessions. For the 35 minute and two-lap races Anstie fought through to ninth and 11th positions, recovering from a second moto crash to get near the top 10.

At the same event, Seewer competed earlier in the day and across a damper terrain. The track had been watered to help contain dust and create a softer surface and the European EMX125 (two stroke machinery) and EMX250 bore the brunt of the muddier conditions.

But first in front of the crowds was Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe team-mate Brian Hsu on the RM125. The teenager circulated just outside the upper-part of the leaderboard and a stomach problem in the second part of the single moto meant he could rise no higher than 11th.

Seewer wheeled out his RMZ-250 for the EMX250 sprint and was making decent laps to remain inside the top four. By the end of the race distance the stylish Swiss had moved up to third and launched his viable bid for the title with a solid result.

On the other side of Europe, Gianluca Facchetti took his RM85 to a double-moto victory at Montevarchi for the third round of five in the Italian Championship while Crisztian Tompa finished fourth overall in the latest outing of the European 85 series to now lead the standings.

The Grand Prix of Brazil at Beto Carrero will represent the next major international meeting for the Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe team on May 19th.

Max Anstie:

“Everything went well yesterday and I put in good times and we were third in both timed sessions; even when I went down in the qualification heat I was able to get up and move my way through. In both races I just felt like I was struggling. We didn’t get out of the gate and I don’t know why because we have been working so much on the start – it is all I have been doing during the week. On the track I felt like I was coming through OK but having to push very hard to pass. I made a few mistakes and went down in the second moto when I clipped some guy in the air. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time for a few moments today and it set me back. A shame; it could have been a much better weekend.”

Jeremy Seewer:

“I’m happy with third in the first race but for sure the win would have been nicer. We have seven races to go so it was a solid way to start. I know I can do better and my goal is the title; top three overall for sure. I have to look towards Ernee and the Grand Prix of France now. The track was completely different today; yesterday it was dry and hard and because of the watering, it was deep and with many ruts. I didn’t struggle but there was just one good line in the morning and it was difficult to pass another rider.”

Brian Hsu:

“My physical condition was good today but I had a stomach ache from the middle of the moto. I just kept going and tried to get as far as I could. I didn’t like the single moto final so much: It means just one chance. There is no second moto or second opportunity. Anyway, I’m enjoying the RM125 because there is plenty of power. With the 85 I was pushing the bike! I like the 125; it’s great for learning.”

MX2 Moto1: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 39:53.240; 2. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:18.848; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:21.605; 4. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:27.979; 5. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:30.999; 6. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), +1:35.904; 7. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:37.301; 8. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), +1:40.715; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +1:50.274; 10. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), -1 lap(s).

MX2 Moto2: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 40:30.592; 2. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), +1:08.304; 3. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:10.100; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +1:13.897; 5. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:20.092; 6. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:27.409; 7. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +1:32.973; 8. Alexander Tonkov (RUS, Honda), -1 lap(s); 9. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 10. Elliott Banks-Browne (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 11. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), -1 lap(s).

MX2 Overall result: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 37 p.; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 35 p.; 4. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 34 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 26 p.; 7. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), 25 p.; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Alexander Tonkov (RUS, Honda), 22 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 22 p.

MX2 World Championship Standings (after 6 of 17 rounds): 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 300 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 219 p.; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 183 p.; 4. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 178 p.; 5. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 171 p.; 6. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 152 p.; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 150 p.; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 129 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), 123 p.; 10. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), 112 p.

EMX125 Overall result: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 30:29.862; 2. Henry Jacobi (GER, KTM), +0:10.869; 3. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Yamaha), +0:22.000; 4. Kade Tinkler (CAN, Suzuki), +0:35.795; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +0:39.858; 6. Riccardo Righi (ITA, KTM), +0:45.004; 7. Joel Van Mechelen (NED, KTM), +1:01.199; 8. Tomasso Sileika (LAT, KTM), +1:17.597; 9. Frederik Van Der Vlist (NED, KTM), +1:27.174; 10. Emanuele Facchetti (ITA, KTM), +1:31.497; 11. Brian Hsu (GER, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +1:38.082.

EMX 125 Standings (after 2 rounds): 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 75 points; 2. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), 54 p.; 3. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Yamaha), 50 p.; 4. Henry Jacobi (GER, KTM), 49 p.; 5. Frederik Van Der Vlist (NED, KTM), 48 p.; 6. Anton Lundgren (SWE, KTM), 47 p.; 7. Riccardo Righi (ITA, KTM), 46 p.; 8. Kade Tinkler (CAN, Suzuki), 43 p.; 9. Ivan Baranov (RUS, KTM), 25 p.; 10. Lorenzo Ravera (ITA, KTM), 21 p.; 14. Brian Hsu (GER, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 16 p.

EMX250 Overall result: 1. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 29:02.174; 2. Damon Graulus (BEL, KTM), +0:08.884; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +0:09.955; 4. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), +0:18.166; 5. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, KTM), +0:34.859.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Clement Desalle was one of the three fastest riders in the premier MX1 class of the FIM Motocross World Championship at a hot and sunny Grand Prix of Portugal.

The Belgian finished third overall at Agueda for the sixth round of 17 in the series, in front of 15,000 spectators, after battling with Gautier Paulin and Antonio Cairoli in both motos on his factory RM-Z450. Desalle survived a heavy second moto crash while trying to pass Paulin for second place to be able to spray champagne for the fourth time in 2013.

Agueda was a brutal mix of speed, bumps, ruts and forced concentration. The physical and mental demands throughout the two 35-minute and two-lap motos meant it was one of the hardest tracks of the series so far. Desalle came into the weekend as one of the favourites for victory thanks to success in the previous three visits to Agueda. Signs were positive on Saturday as he secured his first pole position of the season, but the terrain was heavily watered through Saturday evening and it meant a deeper and rougher course for Sunday where a single, quick racing line was prevalent.

Desalle had two good starts and together with Paulin and Cairoli set a frantic pace at the front. The 23 year old was frustrated in the first moto with an inability to overtake and a lack of comfort across the Portuguese dirt. He was able to finish second after Cairoli crashed in the closing stages. In the second affair he trailed Paulin for practically the entire distance as Cairoli led. A valiant attack on the penultimate lap cost him when a longer landing from the table-top nearest the crowd threw him into the braking bumps and pitched him off the saddle. Nursing pain in his back and neck Desalle was able to retrieve the bike and motored around the final lap-and-a-half to take fifth.

Team-mate Kevin Strijbos had a weekend to forget. The Belgian was not able to find a groove with the devilish hard-pack and the combination of mediocre starts and heavy arm-pump problems in the first moto eroded his capabilities for a top-five result. The Belgian struggled to 10th in the initial outing and a change of rear suspension helped improve his feeling for the second sprint. A better placing of ninth meant the same spot in the final MX1 ranking.

Desalle is third in the MX1 table and just 15 points behind Paulin while Strijbos is fifth and three points in front of Tommy Searle.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 will now immediately prepare for freight with the factory RM-Z material due to be shipped to Beto Carrero where the Grand Prix of Brazil will entertain round seven of the FIM Motocross World Championship on May 19th.

Clement Desalle:

“What can I say? In the first moto I had good speed but I struggled the whole heat. I wasn’t relaxed and couldn’t find my rhythm. It was not so good, but also not so bad to finish third. In the next moto I was fourth at the start but it was the same thing: I was stuck behind Paulin and found it really difficult to pass. I couldn’t find a way, and Cairoli was just ahead. In the last two laps I said to myself ‘it’s now or never’. I did a good lap-time and got really close to Paulin but had a big crash in the braking bumps and now I have pain everywhere. I picked up the bike and could finish the race but my neck and back is painful. I was in the medical centre and they said I was OK but if tomorrow it is worse then I will go for a scan on Tuesday. I just went into that jump a bit faster than previous laps and the bumps kicked me over the top. I can’t remember if the bike hit me or not. It was a hard track but I liked it. I’m disappointed because I felt like I could win the GP. The two guys were just in front of me. Anyway, I did my best and I can only hope for some more fortune in the next races.”

Kevin Strijbos:

“A bad weekend overall and I couldn’t get going with the track. Yesterday I had arm-pump and had it again after the first lap of the first moto. I just rode around for the 40 minutes and couldn’t pass riders that I normally would do in one corner. I was so angry after that race. We tried a new shock for the second moto and it was better and I had less arm-pump but couldn’t find any aggression. I really don’t know why. A bad GP: I expected a lot coming here because I’ve had some decent results in the past. I know the track gets rough and I can be good on it, but today was not my day.”

MX1 Moto1: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 39:41.179; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:20.053; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:36.700; 4. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:41.427; 5. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:44.140; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:46.236; 7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +1:19.715; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, Honda), +1:23.112; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), +1:28.350; 10. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +1:30.680.

MX1 Moto2: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 39:56.650; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:03.804; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:08.306; 4. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:08.912; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:21.757; 6. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:23.805; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:28.000; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, Honda), +0:33.464; 9. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:39.969; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, TM), +0:51.773.

MX1 Overall result: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 47 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 45 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 38 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 33 p.; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), 32 p.; 7. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 31 p.; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, Honda), 26 p.; 9. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 23 p.; 10. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 22 p.

MX1 World Championship Standings (after 6 of 17 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 280 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 242 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 227 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 217 p.; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 183 p.; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 180 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), 132 p.; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 131 p.; 9. David Philippaerts (ITA, Honda), 112 p.; 10. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 109 p.