The MXGP of Sweden proved to be one of mixed fortunes for Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing with bad luck ultimately robbing Romain Febvre of the possibility of a podium result in MX2. Showing great promise in race one, the Husqvarna rider held second position for the majority of the race. But with a short rain shower creating slippery conditions, a small mistake from the Frenchman dropped him back to third.Determined to fight for a top three result in race two, Febvre started strongly and held fourth position on lap one. Unfortunately a small crash dropped him to ninth. As the second fastest rider on the track, he worked his way back up to sixth but another crash saw his hopes of a podium visit evaporate. Finishing his race 11th, Febvre disappointingly ended the GP of Sweden fifth overall.
For Febvre’s teammate Aleksandr Tonkov his weekend was also up and down. Caught up in a crash that damaged his front brake, Tonkov completed the opening lap of race one in 19th. Despite no front brake, the Russian put on a big charge to battle his way back to 11th. Knowing his speed was good enough to run at the front of the pack, Tonkov quickly slotted into fifth in race two. Disposing of Valentin Guillod to take fourth, Tonkov continued to push forward and while not improving on his position he impressively ended his race just four seconds shy of the runner-up result.
Delivering the best result for Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing in Sweden was the team’s youngest rider Nathan Watson. Now in his second race with the team the young British rider is beginning to settle into MXGP racing. Starting inside the top ten in race one, he eventually placed 14th. Race two faired much better with the 20-year-old improving one position to achieve a career best result of 13th.
Joining the team for Uddevalla, Australia’s Dean Ferris was hoping for a better return to MXGP action than he had. Placing seventh early on during race one, Ferris suffered numerous costly errors, which dropped him back to finish 13th.
The FIM Motocross World Championship continues with round 13 at Hyvinkää, Finland on July 13.
Romain Febvre: “I’m a little frustrated with myself. A couple of mistakes and crashes cost me the chance of taking a podium result for Husqvarna in Sweden. In both motos I had the speed to finish inside the top three but in race two it just didn’t happen. I wanted to match my opening result of third and was in contention early on to do just that. Unfortunately I crashed on lap one but regrouped to get back up to sixth. Then, when I crashed again I damaged my fork leg. I couldn’t ride how I wanted to and nursed it home for 11th.”
Aleksandr Tonkov: “I had no luck in race one. A bad reaction off the start gate and then getting involved in another rider’s crash left me with no front brake. I rode as best I could to get back to 11th. Getting a decent start in race two made such a difference. I got into fifth position and found a way past Guillod to take fourth. I kept pushing and closed in on second and third but with nothing left in the tank during the final two laps I had no energy to give one last push. But I’m delighted with fourth, it’s my best result of the season to date.”
Dean Ferris: “I’m excited to be back in the MXGP paddock but I had hoped for better results. After not being on a bike for almost four months it was tough to jump back into race mode again on a track as gnarly and difficult as Uddevalla. I started off ok but lost some confidence in myself as the weekend wore on. Overall this race hasn’t gone anywhere near how I wanted to but the next round in Finland is a chance to wipe the slate clean and improve things.”
Nathan Watson: “I’m delighted to have claimed a career best result of 13th today. I really feel like I’m steadily making small steps forward in this class. I felt more settled with the bike and comfortable on the track. Gaining more experience at this level has given me the added confidence of knowing that I can race with these guys. Next weekend in Finland is a sand track and I’m looking forward to it. I always enjoy those conditions so hopefully there I can continue to improve and edge closer to the top ten.”
Results – Motocross World Championship 2014, Round 12 Sweden
MX2 Overall
1. Herlings (1-1) 50pts; 2. Tixier (4-2) 40; 3. Gajser (2-6) 37; 4. Guillod (5-5) 32; 5. Romain Febvre [Husqvarna] (3-11) 30… 7. Aleksandr Tonkov [Husqvarna] (11-4) 28…
MXGP Overall
1. Cairoli (1-1) 50pts; 2. Van Horebeek (3-2) 42; 3. Strijbos (2-4) 40; 4. Nagl (9-3) 32; Searle (6-5) 31… 13. Nathan Watson [Husqvarna] (14-13) 15… 18. Dean Ferris [Husqvarna] (13-23) 8…
Standings – Motocross World Championship 2014
MX2
1. Herlings 544pts; 2. Tixier 409; 3. Tonus 389; 4. Romain Febvre (Husqvarna) 388; 8. Aleksandr Tonkov (Husqvarna) 284…
MXGP
1. Cairoli 527pts; 2. Van Horebeek 482; 3. Desalle 470… 17. Tyla Rattray (Husqvarna) 125; 20. Todd Waters (Husqvarna) 107…