Monster Energy Yamaha emerged from the British Grand Prix and the penultimate round of the FIM Motocross World Championship with Joel Roelants classifying 21st overall at Matterley Basin. The wonderful layout situated in the natural ‘bowl’ amphitheatre was the setting for the MXGP Festival that entertained eleven classes across the four days. For the MX1 crew and Roelants on his works YZ450FM it was the sixteenth meeting on the schedule.
Ultimately it was a difficult day for the Belgian who struggled to get a fast rhythm and find decent lap-times. 15th place in the first moto was followed by a superb start in the second and ‘34’ ran as high as third in the early moments of the race but again did not have the speed to be a part of the top ten. The former GP winner eventually retired after losing some positions and confidence.
In contrast JK Racing’s Shaun Simpson continues to fly and equalled his best placing of eighth overall on the YZ450F scored last weekend in Belgium. Effective starts and a determined mood meant the Scot was once again a solid member in the top half of the leaderboard and ran to 8th in both 35 minute and 2 lap chases.
Roelants’ seven points in the UK added to his tally and brought it up to 249, keeping the MX1 rookie 12th in the series standings. The final appointment for Monster Energy Yamaha in the FIM campaign will come in two weeks with the Grand Prix of Benelux at the flat and sandy circuit in southern Holland.
Joel Roelants
“I was happy with the start in the second moto but there is not much more I can say about today. I couldn’t get a good feeling with the track and overall it was just a hard day for me.”
Shaun Simpson
“If I’m brutally honest I hated the track yesterday, too fast and too many big jumps with the same pace for everybody. The rain this morning spiced it up and I’m quite happy with how today went. The British GP is always enjoyable but also stressful. It was nice to almost be battling to be top Brit in MX1. I’m super excited about Lierop now.”