Honda World Motocross rider Evgeny Bobryshev has begun to find his way back to the front of the field following injury with a fifth position in today’s qualifying for round eight of the MX1 World Championship in Ernée, France.
Bobryshev, who missed three races due to injury, is still suffering with pain in his right leg on only his second event back in the World Championship series since fracturing his fibula. The Russian star found it tough at the tight, technical Ernée track, as the ground is quite slippery, but he made a good start into third position for the 20-minute plus two-lap moto.
After Jeremy van Horebeek came past on lap two, Bobryshev spent much of the race battling with Xavier Boog and Ken de Dycker to finish in fifth position by the chequered flag after a determined effort, as he begins to regain his confidence at the top end of the field following a long recovery process with his leg.
Teammate Max Nagl powered down the start straight in what looked to be a good start aboard his Dunlop-shod factory CRF450R, but the German star was too tentative early on the race, as he was only 14th at the end of the first lap. On a very difficult track to find good passing lines, Nagl picked his way through to 10th with the goal of staying safe with a decent enough gate pick for tomorrow’s Grand Prix races.
On-board lap with Max Nagl
Evgeny Bobryshev #777: 5th place
“I was coming here with a good feeling after some good training, but the weekend so far hasn’t gone to plan for me. I was struggling to make a good lap with the right corners, and I was braking too early in the practice sessions. I had a good start in the race, and was third. I was not finding the confidence to push and I was following Boog for most of the race, but de Dycker got me in the last lap. I am a bit frustrated as I feel that many people don’t understand the situation and I’ve had a lot of negative comments about my speed from outside of the team, even though this is only my second race back. Although the bone is healed enough to race I am not fully back to health, and while I have been really trying, I have missed a lot of time from the races, which has an impact on me for racing right at the front of the field; this championship is strong. This kind of track is particularly hard for me because there’s a lot of right hand turns on unpredictable ground where I need to use the leg to balance the bike and it’s painful. I am happy that it is less pain than in Brazil, but when I put a lot of pressure on the foot, there is pain, and I am still being careful in those corners. It will take time to be back at full strength and I am working very hard for this, as I want to be as strong as I can be, so these races are just to help me find that confidence again.”
Max Nagl #12: 10th place
“I really like this track, but it’s a bit narrower and tighter than in previous years with a lot of inside, second gear turns. I had a good feeling in pre-qualifying but the lap time wasn’t so good, as I was trying to turn on the shiny parts of the track too much. In the race I had a really good start, but before the race I had spoken to some people about lines and going outside instead of inside and many things, so I was a bit confused in the first few laps while I was thinking about where I should ride, which meant I lost a lot of time. I got behind Gautier Paulin and found my rhythm, as I was able to pass him, and I made some good passes without risk to get to 10th. In the second half of the race I was riding good, and feeling good, so I need to do it my own way tomorrow and ride as well as I know I can.”
Marcus Freitas: Honda World Motocross chief mechanic
“Bobby had a pretty good race with a good start, but he just tried to run his pace and find his speed with the injury he has. He did a good job considering he is suffering and isn’t feeling so good in himself about not finding the good confidence in the leg. Max had a good start, but he was too careful and confused in the first few laps. In the second half of the race he was riding much better and found a good rhythm. The track is technical and the ground is quite slippery, so throttle control is a key. In some places it’s damp and others very dry, so it is difficult to ride in those conditions. Our goal is to be close to the podium with Max and to have Bobby a bit closer to where he should be with more confident riding.”