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| 04.07.2010 |
| Red Bull KTM’s Herlings second in MX2 GP of Sweden |
| Jeffrey Herlings, the power pack 15-year-old Dutchman enjoying his first season as a full factory rider with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team was on the podium in second place in the MX2 GP of Sweden in Uddevalla on Sunday after 2-4 finish in the two motos. |
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Reigning world champion, KTM’s Marvin Musquin got caught in traffic at the starts of both motos but still picked up 34 championship points for overall fifth and moves ahead in the standings by a margin of 73 points going into the summer break. The KTM factory riders have won nine of the 10 GPs in the first half of the season with seven going to Musquin and two to Herlings.
Herlings “back on track”
Herlings, who won his second career GP in Latvia last weekend registered his intentions clearly in the first MX2 moto. He came out of the gates second only to factory teammate Shaun Simpson, who not only grabbed the holeshot but led the race for the opening laps before being nudged off by Steven Frossard. But it was Herlings that hung on to the front runners, first in second and then in third place before rival Ken Roczen was forced to pull over on his Suzuki in the closing stages to bump Jeffrey up to second behind Frossard. He tried hard to stay with the lead group in the second moto but only finished fourth.
Jeffrey Herlings: “I’ve had my ups and downs this season, but now I seem to be getting back on track with the win last weekend and second today so I’m feeling good on the bike and I hope it keeps going like this. The track here is like half way between the tracks in Holland and those in France. It’s a bit sandy on top but hard underneath. But I can say I like it.”
Unusual off day for Marvin
Musquin, who was denied a ride here in Sweden last season while issues concerning his transfer to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team were sorted out, was a victim of a first corner close encounter in the first moto which left him some work to do to get back in the race. But the championship leader fought his way back with his well known determination to be fourth at the checkered flag. Nevertheless the factory team’s French rider did admit that he didn’t feel entirely comfortable on the track surface made slippery after heavy overnight rain.
Marvin Musquin: I had problems at the starts and if you make a bad start it’s hard to come back into the lead. The track was very difficult and I didn’t feel that comfortable. I was fast but I was riding tight and I made some mistakes. I’m disappointed with this weekend but I still made some good points and that’s good for the championship.”
Stefan Everts Red Bull KTM Factory team boss: “Jeffrey rode a smart race and that’s great for him. He needs to learn how to be consistent. If he can do podiums every weekend, that’s the way he will be champion next year. Marvin had a tough day. He was not riding 100% but he should not expect to win every race. He was smart enough to take a 4 and a 5 today and that’s how we will win the title.”
The factory team’s Scottish rider Shaun Simpson finished with a 10-6 result and added 22 points onto his championship tally. With Musquin in the lead and Herlings in fourth place, Simpson is in a creditable sixth place.
Shaun Simpson: I had a good start in the first heat and got the holeshot …but after the contact with Steve (Frossard) I lost a lot of time. I had to spin the bike around to rejoin the race at around eighth and I finished ninth. I didn’t have such a good start in the second heat and I missed the gate drop and I felt really tired during the race.”
KTM rider Jordi Tixier continues to dominate EMX 125
French KTM junior rider Jordi Tixier put in another excellent day’s racing winning both motos in the new EMX 125 class and take the GP victory in this category that offers young riders with 250 aspirations a perfect bridge to step up to the senior races. Tixier has now won 9 out of 10 motos in the five rounds so far held this season, the first time this class has been contested.
Riders were faced with tricky conditions following heavy overnight rain on the circuit and high humidity on race day that hung over the track in the form of mist. Visibility was an issue and a number of riders opted to discard their goggles during the races.
MX2 GP of Sweden
1 Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki (25-22—47)
2. Jeffrey Herlings, Netherlands KTM (22-18--40
3. Gautier Paulin, France, Yamaha (16-20—36)
4. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, Kawasaki, 20-15—35
5. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM 18-16—34
6. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM 13-13—26
10. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM 12-10—22
MX2 Championship Standings
1 Marvin Musquin, France, KTM 438
2. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 355
3. Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki, 355
4. Jeffrey Herlings, Netherlands, 326
5. Zach Osborne, USA, 275
6. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 268
Results: EMX 125 GP of Sweden
1 Jordi Tixier, France, KTM 25-25—50 (Tixier has now won 9 of 10 motos)
2. Stefan Olsen, Denmark, Suzuki, 20-20—40
3. Samuele Bernardini, Italy, KTM 22-15—37
4. Yerki Janvier, Belgium, TM 18-18—36
5. Yohan Lafont, France, Yamaha, 13-22—35
6. Jordan Booker, Britain, KTM, 16-13—29
Championship Standings EMX 125 after GP of Sweden
1 Jordi Tixier, France, KTM, 245
2. Yohan Lafont, France, Yamaha, 174
3. Samuele Bernardini, Italy, KTM, 148
4. Sulivan Jaulin, France, Yamaha, 145
5. Yerki Janvier, Belgium, TM, 124 |
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| Podium trip again for Jeffrey Herlings
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| Mixed weekend for championship leader Musquin
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| Shaun Simpson in action in Uddevalla
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| Jeffrey Herlings on his way to second place in Sweden
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| Another double victory for young Jordi Tixier |
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